Association Between Flexible Work Arrangement and Sleep Problems Among Paid Workers: Using 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey.

Background: As social distancing persists and interest in work-life balance grows, more companies are adopting flexible work policies. While there have been studies on sleep disorders associated with different types of work, such as shift work, research exploring the relationship between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders is still limited, particularly among Korean workers. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey, focusing on 31,243 paid workers out of a total of 50,538 participants. We defined flexible workers as those who set their own working hours. Sleep disorders were divided into three categories: 'difficulty falling asleep,' 'frequent waking during sleep,' and 'waking up feeling exhausted and fatigued.' Using scores derived from three specific symptoms, the Minimal Insomnia Symptoms Scale (MISS) was calculated to assess the prevalence of insomnia. We used chi-square tests to analyze demographic and job-related differences. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify any relationship between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders. Results: Significant differences were found between flexible and non-flexible workers regarding age, income level, education level, and job type. Flexible workers reported sleep-related symptoms significantly more often. The odds ratio for insomnia was 1.40 (95% CI 1.21-1.61). For males, the odds ratio was 1.68 (1.36-2.08). Conclusion: This study establishes a correlation between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders among Korean salaried workers. Potential causes could include changes in circadian rhythm, increased work demands, and extended working hours. To precisely determine causality and associated diseases, further research is required.

Beyond working hours: the association between long working hours, the use of work-related communication devices outside regular working hours, and anxiety symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to identify and compare the associations between long working hours and use of work-related communication devices outside regular working hours and anxiety symptoms, thereby providing insight into redefining working hours. METHODS: Based on the cross-sectional data from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), specifically the responses from 46 055 workers, the use of work-related communication devices outside of regular working hours, long working hours, and anxiety symptoms were assessed. To investigate the associations between using work-related communication devices outside regular working hours or long working hours with anxiety symptoms, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated using multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 46 055 participants, 25 659 (55.7%) used work-related communication devices outside working hours, 8145 (17.7%) worked long hours, and 2664 (5.8%) experienced anxiety symptoms. Compared with the reference group, those who used work-related communication devices outside regular working hours without working long hours, had higher OR of anxiety symptoms (OR: 2.18; 95% CI, 1.97-2.41) than those who worked long hours without using work-related communication devices during off-hours (OR: 1.32; 95% CI, 1.09-1.59). Furthermore, the group that both worked long hours and used work-related communication devices outside working hours exhibited the highest OR of anxiety symptoms (OR: 2.57; 95% CI, 2.24-2.97). CONCLUSIONS: Using work-related communication devices outside regular working hours is associated with a higher risk of anxiety symptoms compared with long working hours. This result suggests that using work-related devices outside regular working hours, in addition to regular work time, should be considered when redefining working hours.