Actual and Preferred Work Schedules and Scheduling Control as Determinants of Job-Related Attitudes

The current study revisited the traditional dichotomy of part-time versus full-time employment and examined its efficacy in predicting job-related attitudes reflecting well-being (job satisfaction and organizational commitment) and emotional withdrawal (burnout and the intention to quit the workplace). In addition, we tested the impact of a continuous measure of actual work schedule as well as the psychological constructs (preferred work schedule and scheduling control) over these attitudes. Participants were 153 nurses in an Israeli hospital who had either full-time or part-time positions. Results showed that both the dichotomous and continuous measures of actual work schedule failed to explain any of the study criteria. Conversely, preferred work schedule and, especially, scheduling control were significant determinants of work attitudes. Implications for continued research are outlined.