Strategic Shift Planning Can Reduce Employee Sickness Absence, Study Finds

Research suggests that involving shift workers in scheduling and considering health impacts can led to a healthier workforce and reduced costs.

JYVÄSKYLÄ, Finland – A recent study highlights the potential of strategic shift planning to decrease employee sickness absence. According to the research,giving shift workers more control over their schedules,while also being mindful of the health implications of different working hour arrangements,can lead to a healthier and more productive workforce.

The study, led by Jarno Turunen, indicates that carefully considered shift scheduling can be a valuable tool in reducing employee sickness absence. the findings emphasize the importance of empowering shift workers to have a say in their working hours, while simultaneously acknowledging the potential health effects associated with various shift work patterns.

Shift work is often unavoidable, especially in critical sectors like healthcare.In his doctoral dissertation, Turunen explores the impact of increasing shift workers’ autonomy over their schedules on both working hour characteristics and sickness absence rates. The study also examines the effects of legislative changes aimed at reducing short shift intervals (less than 11 hours) on sickness absence.

The research adopts an economic perspective on sickness absence, viewing it as an individual choice influenced by both employers and societal factors. This choice is shaped by the balance between work and leisure time, as well as an individual’s health and any related limitations.

“Sickness absence is a notable issue in Finnish public health care. Reducing it is indeed essential for ensuring services as well as managing costs. Addressing sickness absence can also help mitigate the looming labor shortage in the long term. The working hour characteristics of shift work are one managerial tool that can influence sickness absence,” says Turunen.

The Impact of Participatory Shift Scheduling

The empirical studies within the dissertation reveal that participatory shift scheduling, which enhances employees’ control over their schedules, results in lower sickness absence rates at the team level. However, the study also cautions that individuals might inadvertently create ergonomically unfavorable shifts, possibly leading to increased illness over time.

“It is reasonable to aim to promote opportunities for influence in shift scheduling.Increased opportunities for influence led to a 7% reduction in short-term sickness absence compared to work units that continued manager-led planning. Additionally, it is known that opportunities for influence enhance the attractiveness and retention of work,” explains Turunen.

Considering Health Impacts in Shift Planning

“however, both the employee and their supervisor responsible for scheduling shoudl consider the health impacts of shift work. Modern shift planning software makes it possible to take the health effects of shift combinations into account.”

A recent sub-study assessed the impact of the Working Hours Act, which took effect in early 2020. This legislation mandated that employees working irregular shifts receive at least 11 consecutive hours of uninterrupted rest within each 24-hour period following the start of a shift. The findings suggest that this reform led to a reduction in sickness absences among employees whose working hours were affected by the change.

“Shift work cannot be eliminated, but its harmful aspects and their impacts can be mitigated. Sickness absences have increased in health care in recent years, but with the legislative amendment, sickness absences decreased by 13% in units that adjusted their working hours compared to units were work schedules remained unchanged.”

The study leverages work hour data from tens of thousands of shift workers in hospital districts between 2014 and 2021. This extensive dataset provides a unique possibility for in-depth research on working hours and health outcomes.

“The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health is one of the world’s most esteemed institutions producing research on working hours and health. It has been a privilege to work as part of a team of top experts, bringing a fresh perspective from a different scientific discipline. simultaneously occurring, we produced entirely new research evidence on everyday working life,” says Turunen.

The study’s conclusions can be used to improve the planning and execution of irregular shift work. Employees, supervisors, shift scheduling software vendors, and decision-makers at the national and regional levels can all benefit from these insights.