Labour time and health: psychological consequences of shift work

Abstract

In this paper, the impact of shift work on health is analysed. Shift work affects to 20% of workers. From a psychological point of view, the prevalent negative consequences are the following ones: sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, stress, depressive symptoms and family and social problems. Likewise, shift workers show highest rate of labour problems (absenteeism, poor efficiency and work-related accidents) than workers with a conventional labour time. Finally, individual and social determinants of shift work tolerance are commented upon.