Self-rostering in shift-work

Abstract

Shift work is associated with increased risk of disease and work-life conflicts. Historically, influence has been seen as a means to alleviate some of these negative consequences of shift work, and the positive effect of influence has been confirmed in some intervention studies, but not in others. The aim of the present intervention study was to shed light on different practices and on positive as well as negative consequences of self-rostering among shift workers on the individual as well as workplace level. In total, 14 workplaces, mainly within psychiatry and hospital wards, but also a call-centre, introduced self-rostering by use of three different IT-software systems. The workplaces were followed by use of questionnaires and interviews before the intervention and 12 months later. Generally, employees experienced that the introduction of self-rostering had positive effects on private life, the relation to customers, clients and patients and the quality of the work, as well as on the collaboration at the workplace. There were, however, large differences between workplaces. Furthermore, some employees experienced negative effects. The differences appeared to be more related to intervention implementation issues, rather than the functionalities of the different IT-software systems. Interestingly, the most advanced intervention did not necessarily result in the highest satisfaction. The present paper presents different contextual points that indicate when selfrostering may become a success.