Do changes in working hours increase stress in Japanese white-collar workers?

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• High workplace stress negatively impacts worker health.
• Overtime work is a significant stress contributor.
• Stress prevention is a critical occupational health challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally evaluate how stress levels change with variations in working hours.
• To examine the relationship between changes in working hours and increased stress among Japanese white-collar workers.

Main Methods:

• A web-based cohort study of 3,874 full-time Japanese white-collar workers with initially low stress.
• Data collected in 2018 (T1) and 2019 (T2).
• Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, controlling for experience, education, income, and living situation.

Main Results:

• Increased stress was significantly associated with changes in working hours among female workers.
• Specifically, women working 41-50 hours/week (T1) and >50 hours/week (T2), or >50 hours/week (T1) and 35-50 hours/week (T2) showed higher stress.
• No significant association between changes in working hours and stress was observed in male workers.

Conclusions:

• Decreasing working hours is crucial for reducing workplace stress.
• Identifying specific factors contributing to high stress is essential for effective prevention strategies.
• Gender-specific approaches may be needed to address workplace stress related to working hours.