Innovative, flexible working time arrangements are currently regarded as some of the most important elements in the organisation of work. However, until now such "modern, flexible solutions for the design of working hours" have not yet been sufficiently examined with regard to their effects on health and psychosocial well-being. There are indications, based on the literature on shift work, that besides the advantages, which these kinds of working time arrangements may have for both, employers and employees, flexible working time arrangements may also have negative effects on health and/or psychosocial wellbeing of the workers. Thus two studies (a company based questionnaire study and an internet based study) were conducted to examine whether impairing effects on health and psychosocial well-being can be ruled out or how impairing effects can be avoided by an appropriate design of flexible working hours. Results of both studies consistently show that high variability of working hours, especially if this variability is company controlled, is correlated with increased impairments in health and well being. Based on these results recommendations for an appropriate design of flexible working hours have been developed.

The complete research report "Flexible working hours" is also available as pdf-file (in German only).