From WorkingTimeSociety

Contents 1 "Shiftwork" Definition 2 Drafts for definitions 3 Materials and Arguments considered 3.1 Definition used within the Eurpean Union

"Shiftwork" Definition

Drafts for definitions

Materials and Arguments considered

Definition used within the Eurpean Union

DEFINITION: Directive 2003/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council - Article 2 [| find it] "5. "shift work" means any method of organising work in shifts whereby workers succeed each other at the same work stations according to a certain pattern, including a rotating pattern, and which may be continuous or discontinuous, entailing the need for workers to work at different times over a given period of days or weeks;"

DISCUSSION: This definition has severe shortcomings

1. Some permanent shift systems that are used only at special hours (e.g. cleaning) are excluded
2. Shift systems where shifts overlap strongly (e.g. one shiuft starting at 8:00, two further shifts starting at 10:00, etc. may not always result in systems where workers succeed each other.
3. The concept of work station may be problematic for some occupations (e.g., running a computer center people habe their inidivual work station but may succeed (in parts of) tasks.