The development and initial validation of a new working time scale for full-time workers with non-standard schedules

Abstract

Background Working time characteristics have been used to link work schedule features to health impairment; however, extant working time exposure assessments are narrow in scope. Prominent working time frameworks suggest that a broad range of schedule features should be assessed to best capture non-standard schedules. The purpose of this study was to develop a multi-dimensional scale that assesses working time exposures and test its reliability and validity for full-time workers with non-standard schedules. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using full-time, blue-collar worker population samples from three industries - transportation (n = 174), corrections (n = 112), and manufacturing (n = 99). Using a multi-phased approach including the review of scientific literature and input from an advisory panel of experts, the WorkTime Scale (WTS) was created and included multiple domains to characterize working time (length, time of day, intensity, control, predictability, and free time). Self-report surveys were distributed to workers at their workplace during company time. Following a comprehensive scale development procedure (Phase 1), exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (Phase 2) and, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (Phase 3; bivariate correlations were used to identify the core components of the WTS and assess the reliability and validity (Phase 4) in three samples. Results Phase 1 resulted in a preliminary set of 21 items that served as the basis for the quantitative analysis of the WTS. Phase 2 used EFA to yield a 14-item WTS measure with two subscales (“Extended and Irregular Work Days (EIWD)” and “Lack of Control (LOC)”). Phase 3 used CFA to confirm the factor structure of the WTS, and its subscales demonstrated good internal consistency: alpha coefficients were 0.88 for the EIWD factor and 0.76–0.81 for the LOC factor. Phase 4 used bivariate correlations to substantiate convergent, discriminant, and criterion (predictive) validities. Conclusions The 14-item WTS with good reliability and validity is an effective tool for assessing working time exposures in a variety of full-time jobs with non-standard schedules.

Life satisfaction and job and personal resources among public workers with non-standard work schedules

“…The current secondary data analysis uses a subset of data from the WorkTime study, a cross-sectional, mixed methods community-based participatory research study of blue-collar workers examining the associations between working time characteristics and worker and family health and well-being, as described in more detail elsewhere [ 1 , 28 – 30 ]. The study population within this analysis includes workers with non-standard schedules employed by a New England state as correctional supervisors or transportation maintenance garage workers.…”

“…We assessed additional demographic and occupational factors including gender, age, race, marital status, responsibility for children, tenure, and whether or not the respondent worked more than one job. The frequency of non-standard work schedule characteristics (long work hours, overnight work, unexpectedly working when not scheduled, weekend work) were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale with response options ranging from never to always [ 30 ], and dichotomized at a cut-point of 3 (sometimes) or higher.…”

Impact of work schedule characteristics on teacher mental health and burnout symptoms while remote working

“…This cross‐sectional survey is part of the larger U.S.‐based WorkTime study. Survey item selection and measure development for the WorkTime survey is discussed in more detail elsewhere 14,15 . Data for this analysis came from responses to an online survey.…”

“…Survey item selection and measure development for the WorkTime survey is discussed in more detail elsewhere. 14,15 Data for this analysis came from responses to an online survey. Participants were recruited through Qualtrics' traditional, actively managed, double opt-in market research panels.…”

“…We assessed six working time characteristics proposed by Harma et al 11 through a series of survey items described in detail elsewhere. 15 Briefly, participants were asked to respond on a scale of (1) to ( 5) (1 = always; 2 = usually; 3 = sometimes; 4 = rarely; 5 = never) how often the work schedule conditions occurred in the last year at all jobs worked and including all overtime. To assess "length of working hours," participants responded to the question "I worked more than 12 hours per day."…”