The Significance of Working Time Arrangements Accompanying the Introduction of Teamworking: Evidence from Employees
Date
2005-12
Authors
Bacon, Nicholas
Blyton, Paul
Dastmalchian, Ali
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Abstract
A study is reported where the introduction of teamworking was accompanied by negotiated changes in working time patterns, involving some employees transferring to a 5-shift, 8-hour pattern, others to a 5-shift, 12-hour pattern. Employee attitude surveys before and after the changes show those moving to
12-hour working much more satisfied with both working time and other changes, compared with those remaining on 8-hour shifts. The creation of extra non-work
days was seen as the major advantage of the longer shifts, which compensated for the harder work regime identified under teamworking and the greater rigidity
of the 5-shift system. The findings underline the potential significance of working hours for employee support for broader changes in working practices. Possible explanations of why the longer shift pattern met with considerable support
at one research site, but failed to gain support at a similar site elsewhere, are
also explored.
Description
Keywords
teams in the workplace, working time patterns, employees attitudes, hours of labour, scheduling, labour time
Citation
Bacon, N., Blyton, P., Dastmalchian, A. (2005). The significance of working time arrangements accompanying the introduction of teamworking: Evidence from employees. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 43(4), 681-701. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8543.2005.00479.x