Burnout, stress and health of employees on non-standard work schedules: a study of Canadian workers

This study examined the relationship between non-standard work schedules (shift work and weekend work) and job burnout, stress and psychosomatic health problems among full-time employed Canadians in a large metropolitan city on the east coast. Data were collected by means of a structured mail back questionnaire (N = 376). Employees involved with weekend work reported significantly higher emotional exhaustion, job stress and psychosomatic health problems than employees not involved with weekend work. Similarly, employees on non-standard work shifts (other than fixed day shift, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) reported significantly higher overall burnout, emotional exhaustion, job stress and health problems than employees on a fixed day shift. Results from two-way ANOVA indicated that employees involved with weekend work and non-fixed day shifts reported significantly higher emotional exhaustion and health problems than other employees. Implications of the findings are discussed for future researchers in light of employee wellbeing and non-standard work schedules. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.