Working Time Society (WTS) News

ICC 2012 online registration open

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:03:47 GMT

"This is a joint congress of the 27th conference of the International Society for Chronobiology and 24th conference of the Indian Society for Chronobiology. This is first ever conference of the International Society for Chronobiology in the Indian sub-continent. It is a great occasion that we not only actively participate in this Congress but also share, discuss and exchange our ideas on diverse aspects of Chronobiology. Together, we may be able to outline future research goals so as to benefit the mankind and other living beings. In view of this, we have outlined a focal theme for this Congress, entitled, “Biological Clocks and Health Issues in the 21st Century”.

"The Congress offers plenary lectures, thematic symposia in both oral and poster sessions. This website would be able to provide you the relevant information on important dates, organization, conference venue, registration, scientific program, abstract submission, accommodation, social activities, pre- and post congress tours, and other useful links for additional information."

Reminder - 21st International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:24:05 GMT

Dear colleagues,
I would like to remind you the deadline for sending proposals for thematic sessions at the 21st International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time.

Please, send your proposal to shiftwork2013@usp.br by April 1st.

Details about how to submit the proposal can be found at the congress website
http://www.fsp.usp.br/ shiftwork2013

We look forward to hearing from you,
On behalf of the Organizing Committee,
Claudia Moreno.

Research Article: Overtime Work as a Predictor of Major Depressive Episode: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Whitehall II Study

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:54:21 GMT

"Overtime Work as a Predictor of Major Depressive Episode: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the Whitehall II Study" by Marianna Virtanen, Stephen A. Stansfeld, Rebecca Fuhrer Jane E. Ferrie and Mika Kivimäki.

Abstract:

Background

The association between overtime work and depression is still unclear. This study examined the association between overtime work and the onset of a major depressive episode (MDE).

Methodology/Principal Findings

Prospective cohort study with a baseline examination of working hours, psychological morbidity (an indicator of baseline depression) and depression risk factors in 1991–1993 and a follow-up of major depressive episode in 1997–1999 (mean follow-up 5.8 years) among British civil servants (the Whitehall II study; 1626 men, 497 women, mean age 47 years at baseline). Onset of 12-month MDE was assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) at follow-up. In prospective analysis of participants with no psychological morbidity at baseline, the odds ratio for a subsequent major depressive episode was 2.43 (95% confidence interval 1.11 to 5.30) times higher for those working 11+ hours a day compared to employees working 7–8 hours a day, when adjusted for socio-demographic factors at baseline. Further adjustment for chronic physical disease, smoking, alcohol use, job strain and work-related social support had little effect on this association (odds ratio 2.52; 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 5.65).

Conclusions/Significance

Data from middle-aged civil servants suggest that working long hours of overtime may predispose to major depressive episodes.

Election Results

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:05:46 GMT

Dear Working Time Society

It is our pleasure to announce the results of the special Working Time Society election for the three open Director positions. As background, all of our 227 WTS members were invited to participate in the election through the automated system. Of that total number, 69 members (30%) participated. It is also important to note that there was a tie for one of the three board positions. Upon consulting the by-laws and the President of the WTS it was decided that this position would be split – each of the two will hold a half a vote and be half co-opted by the President.

The new Directors are:

Adam Fletcher

Masaya Takahashi

Sampsa PUttonen (1/2)

Imelda Wong (1/2)

Please join us in congratulating our newest Board members, completing the slate for 2012.

Have a happy and health new year – 2012!

Frida Fischer (President)

Stephen Popkin (Secretary)

Johannes Gärtner (Treasurer)

Special Election Update

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:52:02 GMT

Dear Working Time Society Membership and Friends:

As you know, there are currently three open Director positions on the WTS board. Nominations closed on December 7th, and after vetting, there are five nominees that will be included in this special elections. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

Natalia Bobko (Ukraine)

Adam Fletcher (Australia)

Sampsa Puttonen (Finland)

Masaya Takahashi (Japan)

Imelda Wong (Canada)

You are encouraged to take some time to read these statements and interact with the candidates should you have thoughts or questions about what they said.

The elections link should be sent out the week of December 12th. Members, please do vote as this is your chance to help further improve our organization. Again, please feel free to contact the election committee for help if you have questions (wts-elections@juno.com).

******************

Nominations closed; the election will take place on-line 2011 December 13-26. Results will be announced before New Years. A link to the elections web site similar to this will be sent when voting is ready to being; this service will automatically tabulate results as specified in our by-laws (simple majority).

For further details, please click here.

The Nominations form can be downloaded here.

2011 Election Nominee Position Statements

Natalia Bobko

I am specializing in shiftwork research during 20 years, mainly – in psychophysiology of control room human-operators (in energetics, aviation, laboratory simulation of their work), also – health care workers research. I consulted company doctors, chiefs of shiftworkers as well as shiftworkers on the methods to maintain their workability, health and professional longevity. Our people have near no information on these issues. We have no statistics on the shiftwork employment (as many of the developing countries). Currently we are trying to solve this problem at the government level.

I believe the international exchange with the up-to-date scientific achievements is very useful to maintain the health of shiftworkers in different countries. Also I believe science here ought to be transformed to become close to the world rules of development and my experience of activity at WTS board could contribute to this process. I believe that being a member of WTS board I could contribute to promote the international scientific collaboration to establish strong scientific relations with researchers of other countries to improve the working conditions, environment management mechanisms and health maintenance in shiftworkers at the enterprises of all types.

Thank you for your support.

Natalia Bobko, PhD, Institute for Occupational Health (Kyiv, Ukraine), member of ICOH, WTS

Adam Fletcher

I would like to continue serving on the Board, in order to fulfill a number of objectives. These include:
1) Working with the organizers of each Society meeting to ensure that Early Career Researchers find value in attending and participating,

2) Finding effective ways to maintain and increase the membership base of the Society, to support it flourishing in the long-term,
3) Supporting the President and other Board members to improve the running of the society (including Board meetings) to foster efficient and effective practices, and

4) To have fun at Society meetings, and enjoy spending time with the many friends and colleagues I have met through my 12 years of participation to date.

Thank you, Adam Fletcher

Sampsa Puttonen

I work as a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and I'm also a adjunct professor and principal investigator at the University of Helsinki. My background is in stress and individual difference research (experimental and epidemiological). My heart is in science, but I have worked in several company-based development and implementation projects also. Current multidisciplinary projects focus for example on health effects (and mechanisms) of shift work, implementing and studying effects of ergonomic work hours among physicians, and validating screening methods for shift work sleep disorder. I have been a member of the WTS for a relatively short time, but I feel that my understanding of the activities and future challenges of the society are quite good. In my thinking the nitty-gritty of the WTS is collaboration (in knowledge and in research) and I would like to give my contribution to this work.

Masaya Takahashi

Since the Hayama symposium in 2001, I have been serving as a variety of roles to promote our WTS: just a participant, the Secretariat, a member of the symposium scientific committee, proceedings publication (J Human Ergol, Chronobiol Int, Scand J Work Environ Health, and Ind Health), SIN publication, and a co-opted member. With the great support of the relevant colleagues in this society, it was so fortunate for me to have wonderful time and experience through the above activities. From now on, I as a Board member would like to make my every effort to meet the WTS aims at the scientific and practical levels. I am hoping that our society will become more attractive and influential with the united work among the members of the Board.

Imelda Wong

I have had the pleasure of being a member of the Working Time Society since 2009 and have attended 2 symposiums as a student. It was through these conferences that I was inspired to pursue shiftwork research. I am grateful to have been supported by senior researchers who have taken the time to share their knowledge with me.
My PhD dissertation examines the effects of shiftwork and stress on heart disease risk using an interdisciplinary approach combining health psychology, epidemiology, exercise physiology and occupational hygiene. I have also had the opportunity to work with a national survey to examine the risk of injury among shiftworkers.
I see myself at a point in my career where I would like to give back to the WTS and help to expand the network among young researchers. It has been encouraging to see a growth in this field and I see opportunities for interdisciplinary projects.

There is a rising concern with the effects of shiftwork and long working hours as a result of the increasing pace of society. In recent years, I have been contacted frequently not only by industry representatives, but also by individual workers who were concerned about their health after working shiftwork for many years. I hope to bring new perspectives to the WTS to address how to disseminate information not only to policy makers, but also to the general public. I am planning to work with my local government agencies and industries to identify their concerns and share most effective practices. The biennial WTS symposiums may also provide a valuable opportunity to extend similar round table discussions at an international level. This would also provide an arena for those who are applying our research to help identify future research agendas.
Although I am starting out in my academic career and still have much to learn, I can bring enthusiasm and over 10 years of industry experience to the table. I am excited to be a part of this growing area of research and I look forward to helping the WTS move forward into the next phase.

Three Open Director Positions on the WTS Board

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:27:19 GMT

Dear Working Time Society Membership and Friends:

As some may recall from the Symposium business meeting in Stockholm this past summer, there are currently three open Director positions on the WTS board. Nominations closed on December 7th, and after vetting, there are five nominees that will be included in this special elections. They are (in alphabetical order by last name):

Natalia Bobko (Ukraine)

Adam Fletcher (Australia)

Sampsa Puttonen (Finland)

Masaya Takahashi (Japan)

Imelda Wong (Canada)

Below you will find a brief position statement made by each candidate. You are encouraged to take some time to read these statements and interact with the candidates should you have thoughts or questions about what they said.

The elections link should be sent out the week of December 12th. Please do vote as this is your chance to help further improve our organization. Again, please feel free to contact the election committee for help if you have questions (wts-elections@juno.com).

******************

For further details, please click here.

The Nominations form can be downloaded here.

2011 Election Nominee Position Statements

Natalia Bobko

Thank you for your support.

Natalia Bobko, PhD, Institute for Occupational Health (Kyiv, Ukraine), member of ICOH, WTS

Adam Fletcher

4) To have fun at Society meetings, and enjoy spending time with the many friends and colleagues I have met through my 12 years of participation to date.

Thank you, Adam Fletcher

Sampsa Puttonen

Masaya Takahashi

Imelda Wong

Conference Announcement

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:34:07 GMT

Pineal Cell Biology: Links to Circadian Clocks, Sleep and Metabolism

January 29 - February 3, 2012

Hotel Galvez, Galveston, TX

Chair: Debra J. Skene

Vice Chair: Vincent Cassone

The 2012 Gordon Conference on Pineal Cell Biology will bring together world leading experts in the newly emerging supra-disciplinary field of metabolism, sleep and circadian rhythms. Full details of the program available here.

Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Deadline for applications January 1, 2012.

• Clocks and Metabolism

(Carla Green / Joseph Bass / Paolo Sassone-Corsi / Mukesh Jain)

• Linking Clocks, Sleep, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Processes

(Eve van Cauter / Tarja Porkka-Heiskanen / Radhika Basheer / Martin Young / Steven Shea)

• Sleep, Clocks and Feeding

(Jim Horne / Denis Burdakov / Ralph Mistlberger / Ken Wright)

• Metabolic Clocks

(Michael Hastings / Akhilesh Reddy / John Hogenesch / Alan Gerber / Joseph Takahashi)

• Interactions between Light, Sleep, Clocks and Metabolism

(Ignacio Provencio / Etienne Challet / Steven Lockley / Marijke Gordijn / Phyllis Zee)

• Melatonin, Food, Peripheral Clocks and Metabolism

(Michael Menaker / Andries Kalsbeek / Carolina Escobar / Jeff Gimble)

• Melatonin, Sleep and Metabolism

(Jörg Stehle / Philippe Mourrain / José Cipolla-Neto / Gabriella Gobbi / Oliver Rawashdeh)

• Seasonality, Melatonin and Metabolism

(Peter Morgan / Gisela Helfer / Craig Heller)

• Shift work, Sleep Restriction, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Function

(Josephine Arendt / Till Roenneberg / Naomi Rogers / Sampsa Puttonen)

• Keynote Speaker David C Klein

• Hot Topic Sessions and Poster Presentations

GUEST BLOG POST: Imelda Wong

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:23:23 GMT

Imelda Wong was awarded Best Presentation by a Young Researcher at the Stockholm Conference this year. In this guest blog post, she reflects on her participation with WTS and her experience at the conference.

Imelda Wong, Trainee.

Two years ago I attended my first Shiftwork and Working Time Symposium in Venice, Italy. I had just started graduate school and was grateful that organizations such as the Working Time Society would provide funding for students like me to attend such a prestigious conference. Life as a student couldn’t get much better! After attending some very interesting research presentations and seeing how this group enjoyed working hard and playing hard, I knew I was hooked on pursuing shiftwork research.

For two years, following advice I received from a senior researcher I met in Venice to “do something big”, I buried myself in my dissertation. Even though this year was an incredibly busy time in my program, it was a priority for me to attend the Shiftwork and Working Time Symposium in Stockholm. I enjoyed reconnecting with people I had met n Venice and was happy to see many new faces including representatives from industry. I wonder if there could be a future opportunity to develop a collaborative arena for industry and academics to work together to identify new avenues of research?

As a new researcher, I was especially thankful for the trainee sessions for providing the opportunity to interact with others starting out in their careers and words of wisdom from those more experienced. I was encouraged by John Axelsson’s advice for us to support one another as young researchers and to speak to the senior researchers keeping in mind that they “are human and like to be flattered.” Thanks John – it brought things into perspective for me. It also gave me the courage to speak to those I have cited numerous times in my papers. And yes, they really are human, albeit incredibly bright ones.

This is, by far, my favorite conference because it makes everyone feel welcome. Thank you to the organizers for their fastidious organization, choice of beautiful venue and incredible food - this is a conference that never fails to deliver the best! The number of researchers in attendance and diversity of topics seems to be growing with each meeting. The caliber of presentations is impressive and I am honored to be a part of such distinguished company. But more importantly, the combination of senior researchers leading with humor and mentorship, and the camaraderie among this group inspires me to continue pushing the edge of our work.

Imelda Wong

Updated Online Resources

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:49:03 GMT

In the last few weeks and months there have been a couple of appeals for members to send suggestions for websites, journals, recommended reading and anything they have to share with the WTS community. Thank you to those who sent suggestions!

Just to keep you all up-to-date, the list of journals that are relevant to the aims and interests of the WTS are now online under 'Archive and literature' -> 'Related journals'.

We now have a "Contact us" section on the left main menu too. If you have suggestions, questions, links or anything else you need to get in contact with us about, please use the form there and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

The Ninth International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health

Sun, 15 May 2011 13:36:30 GMT

It's a little late notice for this year's conference, but Society for Occupational Health Psychology hold a conference every two years which might be of interest to WTS members. Download the flyer for the 2012 conference here or visit their homepage.

2011 ICOH SC/WTS Officers and Board

Mon, 02 May 2011 07:42:46 GMT

Following from the elections at the end of last year, the new WTS Board took effect at the beginning of this year.

Please join Giovanni and the Elections Committee in welcoming Dr. Frida Fischer as our new President!

The 2011 ICOH SC/WTS Officers and Board:

President: Frida Fischer
Secretary: Stephen Popkin
Treasurer: Johannes Gärtner
Director 1: Drew Dawson
Director 2: Arne Lowden
Director 3: Claudia Moreno

The Elections Committee would also like to thank and congratulate Drs. Giovanni Costa and Sonia Hornberger for the time and effort they invested over the past years to keep WTS strong and moving forward.

All information about the current board can be found here. The information will be updated as information is received.

Insomniac Cavefish May Hold Clues to Human Sleep Disorders

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:18:15 GMT

Although not the core research area of the Working Time Society, this article from wired.com by Rachel Zurer might be of interest to some.

"Blind Mexican cavefish sleep much less than closely related species that live near the surface, according to a study that involved shaking aquariums to keep fish awake."

Click the link to read the article in full.

Last chance for Early bird conference registration - ends March 31st

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:27:07 GMT

There are only two more days left for early bird registration for the upcoming International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time in Stockholm. For registration details, prices etc. visit the registration page.

An up-to-date programme can be found here and continues to be updated.

On Monday June 27 there will be a satellite meeting entitled the “Sleepy Brain”, which summarises the latest in sleepiness research, emphasizing the relevance for working time research.

All necessary information about the satellite meeting can be found here.

Monography - shiftwork & cancer

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:57:15 GMT

IARC monographs homepage, Volume 98- Painting, firefighting and shiftwork - IARC working Group on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol98/index.php

20th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:07:17 GMT

Deadlines for: 20th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time

SHIFTWORK INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER - Volume 25, Number 3

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:59:47 GMT

SIN Volume 25 Number 3

Sleep makes you beautiful(ler)

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:36:35 GMT

Beauty sleep: experimental study on the perceived health and attractiveness of sleep deprived people - http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6614

A very nice contribution by John Axelsson, researcher1 2,Tina Sundelin, research assistant and MSc student2, Michael Ingre, statistician and PhD student3, Eus J W Van Someren, researcher4, Andreas Olsson, researcher2, Mats Lekander, researcher1 3

20th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time - First Announcement

Mon, 17 May 2010 04:19:11 GMT

We are delighted to invite you to participate in the 20th International Symposium of the Working Time Society, which will be held in Stockholm, Sweden from 28 June to 1 July 2011.

The theme of the symposium is “biological mechanisms and risk management in the 24h society” and includes state of the art topics such as “shift work and health risks”, “biological mechanisms related to work-related sleep and sleepiness problems”, “fatigue risk management”, “flexible working hours” and many other research questions related to working times. The scientific program consists of keynote lectures, special sessions, oral presentations and poster sessions. The symposium will also keep in line with the tradition of previous WTS meetings offering rich possibilities for social interactions and informal research discussions.

The symposium will include several activities supporting young scientists, a Trainee day, to be held on the 27th of June, Grants/Travel Awards for trainees in order to help support them to attend the congress, and Trainee Merit Awards, based on abstracts, posters and oral presentations.

Click here to download the first announcement for circulation to your research networks.

It remains to be seen whether the (almost) midnight sun also has a positive effect on the scientific spirit of the symposium (although you might sleep less than normal)! We look forward to seeing you there!

Cancer compensation for night shift workers in Denmark

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:01:42 GMT

A ruling by the World Health Organisation has led to the Danish government giving compensation payouts to women who developed breast cancer after working night shifts for prolonged periods.

Night shifts spark cancer pay-out (BBC News)

29th International Congress on Occupational Health at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:37:39 GMT

The 29th International Congress on Occupational Health at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa. This triennial scientific event is supported by the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH).

The programme will bring together, for the first time in Sub-Saharan Africa, an international panel of experts with presentations that will enable you to present quality Occupational Health Programmes with confidence. We invite you to submit an abstract and enjoy the excitement of sharing your research with colleagues from all parts of the globe.

The ICOH 2009 will be an international inventory of the new developments in occupational health research and in best practices during the last three years.

Further details, abstracts and programmes can be found on the homepage.