The Effects of Working Nontraditional Hours On Life Satisfaction

Abstract

One of the central features of modern society is the synchronization of activity that permits it to operate. As noted by Hawley (1950:288-316) and Moore ("1963:117-122), there are well-defined cycles of activity around which our culture is organized. One of the most important of these is the daily business cycle about which most of our lives are arranged. It is hypothesized that maintaining nontraditional daily routines will have negative consequences for the individual. Due to the low status and income characteristics generally associated with nighttime occupations, lack of access to career-enhancing contacts, isolation from socioemotional support networks, and physical stress from variable daily rout ines and rest interruptions, it is believed that nighttime workers will exhibit lower socioeconomic status and lower life satisfaction than persons maintaining traditional daily routines. This research will use data from a national time-use study to focus on the relationship between nighttime employment and life satisfaction.