Sustainable Reduction of Sleepiness through Salutogenic Self-Care Procedure in Lunch Breaks: A Pilot Study

Customized interventions improved employees' experience of recovery during the workday

BACKGROUND:

There is a lack of research regarding factors promoting recovery during the workday and effective interventions.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate how different intervention activities may impact employees’ experiences of recovery at the workplace.

METHODS:

Customized intervention activities based on qualitative results and a participatory approach were integrated among the employees at six primary health care centres (PHCCs; n = 166) during one year. Recovery and workplace factors were measured with a questionnaire at the start and end of intervention, and also in a control group (15 PHCCs; n = 328). Group differences were tested (Chi-2) and explanatory factors compared by logistic regression models.

RESULTS:

The proportion of employees reporting workday recovery increased in the intervention group (19.9%to 29.1%; p = 0.01), whereas the control group showed no significant change. Recovery was explained by self-reflection and reflection with co-workers. After intervention, having influence on work situation, energy-building experience, and opportunity for laughter also contributed significantly to recovery.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results contribute to work recovery research by confirming that a customized intervention may have an impact on employees’ recovery experiences. The study showed that considering the factors of reflection, influence, and companionship can positively impact workplace recovery.

Methods in Experimental Work Break Research: A Scoping Review

The number of studies on work breaks and the importance of this subject is growing rapidly, with research showing that work breaks increase employees’ wellbeing and performance and workplace safety. However, comparing the results of work break research is difficult since the study designs and methods are heterogeneous and there is no standard theoretical model for work breaks. Based on a systematic literature search, this scoping review included a total of 93 studies on experimental work break research conducted over the last 30 years. This scoping review provides a first structured evaluation regarding the underlying theoretical framework, the variables investigated, and the measurement methods applied. Studies using a combination of measurement methods from the categories “self-report measures,” “performance measures,” and “physiological measures” are most common and to be preferred in work break research. This overview supplies important information for ergonomics researchers allowing them to design work break studies with a more structured and stronger theory-based approach. A standard theoretical model for work breaks is needed in order to further increase the comparability of studies in the field of experimental work break research in the future.

The Relationship Between Working Time and Ill Health

Abstract: Several studies have investigated the relationship between working time and health; however, an adequate comparison of this relationship among full-time and part-time workers is still missing. Therefore, this study aimed to fill this gap in the literature. We investigated several aspects of working time: weekly overtime, monthly on-call duties, monthly shift work, and adherence to breaks. To assess health, we investigated sleeping problems, cognitive irritation, and emotional exhaustion. Data were collected from 812 hospital physicians. We tested our assumptions with a group comparison using structural equation modeling. Overtime and adherence to breaks were shown to be health-relevant factors, particularly for full-time workers, whereas night and weekend shifts were more relevant for part-time workers’ health. On-call duties were less relevant for both groups. The inclusion of time pressure and autonomy caused different changes. The results of this study illustrate that personal needs should be considered when scheduling working time to promote health.