The association between shift work and sick leave: a systematic review

Abstract

Shift work is associated with a number of negative health outcomes, although it is not known whether it is associated with sick leave. This systematic review therefore aimed to determine whether an association exists between shift work and sick leave. A systematic literature search was conducted in six databases on observational studies. Two reviewers independently selected relevant articles and appraised methodological quality. Data extraction was performed independently by review couples. Articles were categorised according to shift work characteristics and summarised using a levels of evidence synthesis. In total, the search strategy yielded 1207 references, of which 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Nine studies were appraised as high quality and used in the levels of evidence synthesis. Two high quality longitudinal studies found a positive association between fixed evening shifts and longer sick leave for female healthcare workers. The evidence was assessed as strong. Evidence was inconclusive for rotating shifts, shift work including nights, for fixed night work, and for 8-hour and 12-hour shifts. The association found between evening work and sick leave in female healthcare workers implies that the association between shift work and sick leave might be schedule and population specific. To study the association further, more high quality studies are necessary that assess and adjust for detailed shift work exposure.

The ageing shift worker: a prospective cohort study on need for recovery, disability, and retirement intentions

“…Furthermore, over time elevated levels of NFR can result in poor health and sickness absence (19). As a review (20) pointed out that the association between shift work and sick leave is schedule-specific, this study will also investigate the risk of shift workers to become unfit for work due to sickness or disability among different shift work types.…”

Skiftarbeid og sykefravær blant sykepleiere

“…En studie fra Island (14) viste ingen forskjeller i sykefravaer blant sykepleiere som jobbet turnus eller dagskift, mens man i en dansk studie (15) vaer med varighet over to uker sammenliknet med kontrollgruppe i fast dagskift. Alt i alt er det få studier som tar for seg relasjonen mellom sykefravaer og forskjellige skiftordninger i helsesektoren, og konklusjonene er inkonsistente (16). Det finnes så vidt vi vet ingen norske studier på dette området.…”

“…En islandsk studie av sykepleiere viser ingen sammenheng mellom skifttype og sykefravaer, men beskriver at sykepleiere som jobber treskiftturnus rapporter mer stressopplevelser enn de andre skiftgruppene (14). En oversiktsartikkel (16) viser ingen sammenheng mellom sykefravaer og nattskift eller treskift-turnus, men oppsummerer at det er svaert få studier om dette temaet.…”

Co-ordination of research on working hours and health in the Nordic countries

“…Many of the intervention studies have also been conducted in artificial laboratory environments, and there are few high-quality epidemiological studies. Hence, only poor scientific evidence for existing recommendations in relation to disease is found in systematic reviews (Bambra et al, 2008;Joyce et al, 2010;Merkus et al, 2012;Vogel et al, 2012).…”