The impact of irregular schedules on worker lives: theoretical considerations and implications for practice

Abstract

In the recent decades, work schedules have diversified, leading to the implementation of different schedules like shift work or irregular hours. This chapter primarily focuses on irregular work schedules, and is structured in three parts. The first part is dedicated to the theoretical framework of the subject, particularly dealing with the main effects of irregular work schedules for the workers. Next, a study carried out in the Portuguese context is presented, where the impacts of irregular work schedules of different types (i.e., depending on their degree of irregularity) on the workers were evaluated, specifically in terms of health, family, and social spheres, as well as satisfaction with work schedule. In general, the results indicate that the greater the irregularity of work schedule, the greater the negative impact on the worker. The third part discusses possible strategies for managing non-standard work schedules by organizations, especially at the level of personnel management.