Working time arrangements: a tool to improve work participation of nurses working in residential elder care?

The sustainable employability of nurses and caregivers in the elderly care sector is a pressing issue. This group of professionals in particular is suffering the consequences of serious staff shortages. The goal of this dissertation was to determine whether working time arrangements can help to improve labour participation and to examine the role of the home situation of nurses and caregivers. The results showed an increase in motivation and well-being and a decrease in absenteeism when nurses and caregivers felt that their work schedules suited their personal lives. In addition, employees view their home situation as burdensome and energy-intensive rather than a helpful resource. The study also found that absenteeism among nurses and caregivers in the intramural elderly care sector was primarily due to health issues and not a lack of motivation. Nursing supervisors are therefore encouraged to make formal arrangements to discuss motivation, well-being and absenteeism, and to keep a close eye on these issues at informal moments as well.