Work schedules in health care in France: very few changes between 1991 and 1998, according to national data

It is important to know whether working time schemes offer, following the adoption of the 1990 ILO Night Work Convention, a better use of the actual knowledge in moderating the adverse effects of shiftwork for both sexes. The last two national studies on a representative sample, about working conditions in France (1991, 1998), show an increase of night work among female nursing staff. Long hours of work are becoming more common for nurses. The percentage of women health care workers not working the same number of days every week increased, with work weeks of 7 days or more. Few positive aspects exist such as a reduction in the proportion of those having to work 17 Sundays or more and a reduction of shifts beginning before 7 a.m. for female nurses. New negotiations, starting in 2001, should be an opportunity for improvements.