title: Flexible working arrangements in healthcare: a comparison between managers of shift workers and 9-to-5 employees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined healthcare managers' perceptions of flexible working arrangements and implementation barriers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Work-life conflict can lead to negative health implications, but flexible working arrangements can help manage this conflict. Little research has examined its implementation in 24/7/365 healthcare organizations or within groups of employees working 9 AM to 5 PM (9-5) versus shift-work hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires regarding perceptions to, benefits of, and barriers against flexible working arrangements were administered to managers of 9-5 workers and shift workers in an Atlantic Canadian healthcare organization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Few differences in perceptions and benefits of flexible working arrangements were found between management groups. However, results indicate that the interaction with patients and/or the immediacy of tasks being performed are barriers for shift-work managers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nature of healthcare presents barriers for managers implementing flexible working arrangements, which differ only based on whether the job is physical (shift work) versus desk related (9-5 work).
authors: Author Affiliations: PhD Candidate (Ms Mercer), Department of Management, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and PhD Candidate, Department of Psychology (Ms Russell), and Associate Professor, Faculty of Business Administration (Dr Arnold), Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Canada.
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Mercer
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Russell
authors: Kara A
authors: KA
authors: Arnold
mesh_terms: D006282:Health Personnel; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance