What effects do atypical working hours have on health and on social and family life?
An essential prerequisite: adopt a common definition of atypical working hours
For the purposes of its analysis, ANSES considered the following to be atypical working hours:
- Night work,
- Working at weekends,
- Working long hours – more than 8 hours a day and/or 40 hours a week,
- Staggered working hours – between 5 am and 8 am, and between 7 pm and midnight.
It assessed the various types of effects in accordance with the WHO’s comprehensive definition of health.
In an initial expert appraisal published in 2016, ANSES had highlighted the effects of night work on health and on social and family life. This new expert appraisal explored other forms of atypical working hours.
The concept of atypical working hours does not currently correspond to any legal category under French or European law. ANSES emphasises the importance of adopting a common definition and giving it legal effect, in order to have a useful reference for the prevention of occupational risks and facilitate the collection of research results for the future.
Between 55% and 75% of workers in France affected by at least one form of atypical hours
ANSES assessed the proportion of the working population exposed to at least one form of atypical working hours. Depending on the scenarios considered, it found that between 55% and 75% of people working in France are exposed to at least one form of atypical working hours. All workers – whether they are employees, civil servants or self-employed and regardless of their occupation – may be affected by atypical hours to varying degrees over their working lives.
Employers resort to atypical working hours for various reasons: activities requiring continuity of service (security, healthcare, certain industrial processes), specific time constraints tied to the rhythms of life or the seasons, economic, social and industrial considerations, or individual or collective preferences.
Breakdown of exposure to different types of atypical working hours
Determining the prevalence of atypical hours depends on how they are defined; the Agency therefore calls on the public authorities to clarify their position on this point. ANSES did not identify any data that could be used to determine, on a purely scientific basis, the level of work carried out at weekends or over long hours above which a worker would be regarded as a weekend worker or a long-hours worker. Moreover, the exact duration of any breaks during long working days is unknown (only the length of the working day was specified in the data). ANSES therefore formulated several hypotheses, ranging from the narrowest to the broadest. Depending on the thresholds adopted for the number of weekends worked in a year and the assumed duration of breaks on long working days, between 55.74% and 76.22% of the working population are concerned by at least one of the forms of atypical working hours studied: weekend work, long hours or staggered hours. This range is not a statistical uncertainty interval, it reflects the effect of the different possible definitions of exposure.
Effects on health and on the social-family sphere
Atypical working hours have effects on health as well as on social and family life. The expert appraisal revealed statistical associations, to varying degrees, between exposure to the different forms of working hours studied, and health and social effects. The experts classified these effects according to the strength of these associations, based mainly on the studies available in the scientific literature: demonstrated effects, suggested effects, or insufficient data to conclude as to whether or not there is an effect. These effects may be modified by the amount or nature of the work, stress, or even the duration and rhythm of sleep.
With regard to long working hours, the scientific data demonstrated proven adverse effects on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, as well as on anxiety and sleep quality. These data also suggested that there may be adverse effects on reproductive health, metabolic health, the risk of depression, the balance between working life and social-family life, and occupational accidents.
With regard to work at weekends, the studies demonstrated adverse effects on work-life balance and suggested adverse effects on mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety) and physical health (sleep disorders, pain, fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders, accidents).
Lastly, with regard to staggered hours, the scientific literature suggested adverse effects on social and family life (particularly with evening work), mental and cardiovascular health, and on sleep duration and quality (particularly with morning shifts).
Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of resorting to atypical working hours beyond the workplace alone
The Agency calls for limits on the regular use of atypical working hours or, where they cannot be avoided, better preparation and supervision of their implementation.
In particular, before introducing or maintaining a system of work involving atypical hours, ANSES believes it essential to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages using an "integrative approach", taking various individual, societal and environmental factors into account. This approach places the work within a broader context than just the organisational sphere, and also considers other factors: transport to get to work, childcare arrangements for workers’ children, work-life balance, heatwaves and extreme weather events, etc.
It is also important to take account of the multiple exposure of workers throughout their working lives. In practical terms, this will mainly involve organising preliminary studies with the various stakeholders concerned, beginning with the social partners. It may also be necessary to hold discussions with local authorities, suppliers and service providers, as well as public transport operators. This would enable informed decisions to be made on the benefits of using atypical working hours, in view of their potential consequences.
Apply the provisions governing night work to other forms of atypical working hours
Where atypical working hours cannot be avoided, ANSES recommends better supervision of their use, for example by considering the application of certain measures already in place for night work: appropriate medical monitoring, specific provisions for pregnant women, etc.
The Agency believes it is important to guarantee workers transparency, predictability and balance in the implementation of any system of working time in the form of atypical hours. ANSES therefore recommends prioritising non-financial health-promoting compensation: reduced working hours on the same pay, compensatory rest, assistance with transport or childcare, etc.
Include all workers, regardless of their status
The provisions of the French Labour Code on working hours do not apply to self-employed workers or to employees covered by other codes (such as the Transport Code), even though they may also be affected by atypical working hours and the related effects. The situation of these workers therefore also warrants particular attention, including raising their awareness about the effects of atypical hours and, as far as possible, applying the recommendations to their situation.