Excessive demands, work overload and the working time arrangements are an important cause of burnout and fatigue in employees. Specific working time arrangements are characteristic of the internal security services, such as police officers and firefighters. This applies to both the ordering of day and night shifts and the length of shifts. Depletion of personal resources is a common component for acute fatigue and burnout. However, fatigue has a short-term effect, whereas burnout has a chronic effect. The aim of the study presented here is to assess the relationship between fatigue and burnout in two professional groups with high psychosocial risks. The group examined consisted of 174 people, 89 police officers (11women) and 85 firefighters. Correlational design was used. The Fatigue Scale was applied to measure fatigue at work, and The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory was used to measure exhaustion and disengagement. The results of our study showed that in comparison with firefigthers, police officers were more fatigued, more exhausted and more disengaged. Fatigue was related to exhaustion and disengagement. The effective size of the relationship between fatigue and exhaustion and between fatigue and disengagement was similar and moderate in both groups. In conclusion, the differences between police officers and firefighters in fatigue and burnout may be explained by different demands and working time arrangements. Depletion of energy resources is visible in exhaustion and disengagement. The practices of limiting the negative and direct results of work, such as fatigue, may help to prevent the escalation of chronic conditions such as burnout.
Excellent competencies as well as a good physical and mental health are required in train drivers’ profession. Despite the changes in the structure of employment the train drivers above 46 years and job tenure longer than 30 years are the largest group. The generation gap is becoming more pronounced, and its fulfilment will not be easy. It is related not only to training of new personnel but also promotion of healthy work environment focus on reducing occupational stress. The aim of study was twofold. Firstly, identification of psychosocial risks and sources of occupational stress in relation to health of employees will be performed. Secondly, the methods of reducing with occupational stress in train drivers’ profession will be indicated. In study presented here the qualitative method was applied. We have conducted the focused group interview among train drivers and instructors. The results have shown that more important source of occupational stress were the failure of the material factor, workload, role conflict, working time and care of trainees. Results of our previous study based on the individual reviews have indicated that traumatic stress associated with fatal incidents and people under train were significant occupational risk in train drivers’ profession. Organizational resources such as competencies and knowledge of experience train drivers can be helpful in health promotion and development of methods reducing occupational risk. Safety climate, risk assessment, and the acquisition of new personnel require new actions and improvement. Management style more focused on the human factor should be preferred.
Work is one of the most important spheres of human functioning and has a significant impact on individual overall well-being. The purpose of this study is to assess the positive and negative impact of the work of police officers and firefighters on their well-being in different spheres of life. In particular, the study examines the relationship between the type of occupation and the elements that generate a feeling of well-being, issues relating to a positive influence of work on different spheres of life, as well as the relationship between the length of service and the influence of work on health. A hedonistic model of the quality of life has been assumed. The study encompassed 499 Polish officers serving in operational positions, including 195 police officers and 304 firefighters. A modified scale of satisfaction with various aspects of life, and a calculated work-related positivity indicator in the field of life, were used for the assessment of subjective well-being in relation to work. The results showed that the impact of work on well-being in the social, economic, and health spheres, and in relation to self-esteem, was determined by the nature of the work. Compared to police officers, firefighters were more positive in their assessment of the impact of work on their private life and overall well-being. Among the police officers, work was considered to have a negative impact on health, leisure and economic well-being. The results obtained from the group of firefighters are explained in accordance with the “top-down” model, and those from the group of police officers on the lines of the “bottom-up” model, in Czapiński’s onion theory of happiness. Practical implications for health and leisure are discussed.
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