Changing schedules: shiftwork.

Abstract

A "tailor-made" shift system should be a compromise between the employers' goals, the wishes of the employees, and ergonomic recommendations for the design of shift systems. Many traditional shift systems all over the world do not correspond to the ergonomic recommendations, which are summarized in this chapter. With six practical examples of shift systems it is shown how the recommendations may be realized. If a high acceptance of a new shift system is to be reached, a participatory process of designing and implementing the new shift system is as important as the characteristics of the new shift system itself.