Self-rostering and psychosocial work factors - a mixed methods intervention study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Organizational Psychology
• Workplace Management

Background:

• Self-rostering, a participatory scheduling approach, is increasingly explored for its potential to improve work environments.
• Understanding the impact of self-rostering on various job aspects and employee well-being is crucial for effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of self-rostering on emotional and quantitative demands, work pace, influence, social dynamics, job satisfaction, and workplace negativity.
• To investigate if increased influence over work scheduling mediates these effects.
• To interpret findings considering diverse implementation processes and qualitative data.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month quasi-experimental follow-up study involving 28 workplaces (14 intervention, 14 reference).
• Qualitative interviews with 26 employees and 14 managers regarding expectations and experiences with self-rostering.
• Analysis of self-rostering's impact on job demands, social environment, and employee satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Self-rostering demonstrated a positive effect on job demands and the workplace social environment.
• The positive impact was most pronounced when self-rostering involved minimal disruption to employees' work and private life.
• Employee influence over scheduling was a key factor in the observed benefits.

Conclusions:

• Self-rostering can be a valuable tool for enhancing job conditions and workplace social support.
• Successful implementation hinges on careful consideration of organizational context and minimizing work-life interference.
• Further research should explore long-term effects and variations in implementation strategies.