A new research analysis, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, shows that certain flexible working conditions are modestly linked to health benefits for employees and their family.

Dr. Clare Bambra, and her colleagues at Durham  University in northeastern England, conducted a review of ten previously studies to evaluate both the benefits and harms of flexible working interventions on the physical, mental and general health of employees and their families.

The flexible working interventions which were evaluated included self-scheduling of shift work, flexitime, contractual flexibility, overtime, involuntary part-time work and partial/gradual retirement.  Flexitime was not shown to have significant effects on (self-reported) physical and mental health outcomes. However, four studies on self-scheduling of shifts and one on gradual/partial retirement reported significant improvements in health indicators such as systolic blood pressure, heart rate, sleep quality and self-rated health status.

More information about this study is available on the Cochrane Collaboration website: Flexible working conditions and their effects on employee health and wellbeing, Joyce K, Pabayo R, Critchley JA, Bambra C