Effects of on call work on well being: results of a daily survey.
BACKGROUND Flexible work schedules and on call work are becoming more and more common in working life. However, little is known about the effects of on call work on health. METHODS Using a daily survey method, 31 employees from an Information Technology Service Organisation filled out a questionnaire four times a week while they were on call and another four times a week while they were not on call. An evaluation of cortisol levels was included. Multilevel analyses were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS Results showed increases in irritation and negative mood and decreases in social activities, household activities, and low effort activities. No effects were found concerning the secretion of cortisol. There were no significant differences between those employees who were actually called in to work during the on call period and those who were not. CONCLUSIONS Flexible work schedules like on call work have effects on well being. The mere possibility of being disturbed by calls shows negative consequences, regardless of whether the employees are actually called in or not.
Applied psychology. Health and well being