What is the impact of overtime on productivity?
Overtime is often used as a solution for personnel shortages or to meet peak production demands and schedules. Although management may view overtime as a temporary solution, it often becomes a standard way of managing work demands. In many instances, the extended overtime hours approach the same hours worked in a 12-hour shift system; however, the use of overtime is applied with little consideration to the consequences of this work pattern or the scheduling of rest days. The worker fatigue resulting from extended work hours is very costly in terms of worker health, performance, and morale. The health effects of extended work hours are well documented and include an increased risk for: • Cardiovascular disease • Sleep disorders • Depression • Ulcers • Gastrointestinal dysfunction and disorders • Breast cancer • Complications of existing medical conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy These health effects become even more apparent in older workers. In addition, extended hours reduce the
