Overview
Keywords: Job Rotation; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Ergonomics
Timeline: December 7, 2004
Presenters: Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)
Funder: CRE-MSD
Project type: Workshop
Sector/Workplace type: All
Themes:
Theme
4
Interventions
Theme
5
Implementation
Background/rationale
Job rotation, together with the development of job variety and job enlargement, is a common strategy of organizations from the point of view of workplace health and the improvement of productivity. But what do we know about it? There are still many questions that need to be asked: Is job rotation a way of preventing musculoskeletal disorders and disabilities (MSDs)? Does job rotation lead to increased job satisfaction or quality or productivity? Are there disadvantages of job rotation?
Goals and process
This
workshop
considered
workplace
organizational
factors,
working
conditions,
and
the
organizational
benefits
of
job
rotation,
and
how
they
relate
to
the
prevention
of
MSDs
in
industry.
These
questions
presented
the
opportunity
to
participate
in
an
exchange
of
views
and
discussion.
The
morning
was
dedicated
to
presentations
from
researchers
who
have
studied
the
effects
of
job
rotation
with
responses
from
business
and
organized
labour.
The
afternoon
began
by
case
studies
from
organizations
that
have
had
experience
with
job
rotation.
Attendees
then
broke
into
small,
interactive
discussion
groups.
Summary
In the discussion groups, attendees shared their experiences: the reason for adopting job rotation, their experiences, and their perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages.
Implications for the prevention of MSDs
By taking into account it’s pros and cons, job rotation may become a valuable ergonomic intervention to prevent MSDs
Knowledge dissemination
For summary, presentations and videos, see the Principles and practices of job rotation event page.