Abstract

The adoption of rotating shifts and permanent night shifts gives rise to a large number of problems that have harmful effects on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the worker. In this thesis I examine the impact of shift work on 23 hospital female switchboard operators and 23 male porters in two different hospitals. Each of the 46 respondents in the study were interviewed in depth and diaries were kept by 30 of them. In addition I observed the work routines of the respondents. Three theoretical models have been chosen to describe the negative consequences of shift work; the Circadian, Psychological, and Sociological models. Among the different models the Sociological model appeared to be the most informative in interpreting the job effects on individuals. The findings revealed that the occupation of switchboard operating is much more stressful than the occupation of portering. The effects of shiftwork added to the job demands of switchboard operators increases their already stressful occupational demands. Some reasons for this are that family responsibilities weigh heavily on most female switchboard operators, and these responsibilities increase during certain stages of the life cycle. Male porters do not face the same degree of stress in their jobs, nor are they as likely to deal with conflicting demands of the family to the same degree as female switchboard operators. Indeed many of the porters preferred shift work despite stressful levels that may occur. Quite surprising in the research findings was the discovery of the ability of those respondents experiencing stress to cope with these conditions