ABSTRACT

Working nonstandard schedules, often termed shift work, has been regarded as an undesirable option, particularly for parents, because it may pose multiple challenges regarding child-care. In recognizing that some working persons may intentionally use nonstandard schedules to accommodate their family needs, however, this study attempted to distinguish between those who voluntarily choose to work nonstandard schedules (VNWS) and those who do so on an involuntarily basis (INWS). This study also examined whether having children predicts the likelihood of VNWS (vs. INWS), using a national sample of shift workers drawn from the May 2004 Current Population Survey. This study revealed that about one-third of shift workers worked nonstandard hours on a voluntary basis, and parents, particularly those with young children, had greater likelihood of VNWS. Moreover, the association was more salient among married individuals and women, indicating the moderating role of marital status and gender. This study suggests that nonstandard work schedules have the potential to both become a family-unfriendly schedule and to be used as a family-friendly work option, depending on whether it is voluntarily chosen or involuntarily forced.

摘要

工作不标准的时间表，通常被称为轮班工作，一直被认为是一种不受欢迎的选择，特别是对于父母来说，因为它可能对儿童保育带来多重挑战。然而，在认识到一些工作人员可能故意使用非标准时间表来满足他们的家庭需求时，本研究试图区分自愿选择非标准时间表工作的人（VNWS）和非自愿选择工作的人（INWS）。本研究还使用从 2004 年 5 月当前人口调查中抽取的全国轮班工人样本，检验了有孩子是否可以预测 VNWS（与 INWS）的可能性。这项研究表明，大约三分之一的轮班工人自愿工作非标准时间，父母，尤其是那些有小孩的父母，更有可能患 VNWS。此外，该关联在已婚个体和女性中更为显着，表明婚姻状况和性别的调节作用。这项研究表明，非标准的工作时间表有可能成为对家庭不友好的时间表，并被用作对家庭友好的工作选择，这取决于它是自愿选择的还是非自愿被迫的。