Health Impacts of Flexible Forms of Work -
Risk Assessment and Preventive Measures

A project of the
Sozialforschungsstelle Dortmund (sfs)
and the
Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo),
funded by the
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)

Background

With the globalization of national economies and the dissemination of new information and communication technologies, a wide spectrum of innovative forms of work and employment emerged, commonly summarized by using the term 'flexible work'. The central facts of this concept are alternative models of work schedules, new forms of work and employment that deviate from 'conventional' forms (temporary employment, telecommuting, new self-employment), new concepts of cooperation (semi-autonomous team and project work), the permanent change of organizational structures and cultures (learning organization), and the corrosion of professional biographies. In sum, flexible work results in a fundamental change of the occupational and professional demand characteristics, which is accompanied by a new mix of health-related risks and resources.

Objectives

What are the effects of flexible work on stress, strain, and resources and which occupational safety and health concepts are needed to maintain a balance - these were the principal questions of the project. Based on the national and international research literature, the aim was to identify fundamentals of a seasonable and reasonable prevention standard, in close cooperation with employees and occupational safety and health professionals.

Duration

03/2000 - 08/2002

Final report

The final report of the project was published in the institute report series of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Fb 986), which can be obtained from the Wirtschaftsverlag NW, Bremerhaven.

• Ulrich Pröll
  Phone: +49 231 8596 217
  Fax: +49 231 8596 100
  Landesinstitut Sozialforschungsstelle Dortmund
  Evinger Platz 17
  D-44339 Dortmund
• Dietmar Gude
  Phone: +49 231 1084 303
  Fax: +49 231 1084 402
  Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors
  Ardeystr. 67
  D-44139 Dortmund

Sozialforschungsstelle Dortmund (sfs)

Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo)

Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)