Extended and unusual working hours in European companies : establishment survey on working time 2004-2005

It is widely recognised that night work, weekend work and work at changing hours - shift work, in particular - all have serious health implications for workers. In recent years, the problems related to combining work with social or family life for those who regularly work atypical working hours have come to the attention of social commentators and policymakers. This report explores the experience of working extended and unusual working hours in companies across the European Union. Based on a large-scale, representative survey carried out in establishments with 10 or more employees in 21 European countries, the report examines in detail the incidence of such working hours across countries, sectors and companies. It outlines the factors behind the need to deploy workers at unusual hours and shows how management perceives the various effects of these working time patterns. It also focuses on various personnel problems - such as sickness and absenteeism, motivation levels and high staff turnover - faced by management in establishments with unusual working hours.