Have long working hours, working at atypical times and with unpredictable schedules been proven to cause dysfunctional relationships?
• In the preface to the report we explain that most research attempting to show a link between changing working patterns and family/child wellbeing has demonstrated correlation, without showing causality. • As indicated on page 30 of the report (and Appendix Exhibit 67), not all research identifies this link. However, the weight of available evidence has led the authors to conclude that there is a strong link between working long hours, atypical times and unpredictable schedules, and relational dysfunction. • Mixed findings are not unusual given differences in research methodologies, including the definition of long and atypical hours, outcomes measured, the nature of any moderating or mediating factors, and the different contexts in which the studies took place. • An example of research that did not find a direct link between long hours and family well-being was conducted by the AIFS using the HILDA survey (Weston, Gray, Qu & Stanton (2004), Long work hours and the wellbeing of father
