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Student employment has become widespread across many European countries, eliciting the question of how working while studying affects student retention. Previous research mostly agrees that it does by arguing that firstly, students who work long hours (i.e. more than 10 h per week) are more likely to leave university early, and also shows that students without academic family backgrounds (i.e. First-in-Family students) are more likely to enter term-time employment. However, little attention has been paid to investigating the factors predicting students' decision to enter time-consuming employment while studying, and little differentiating between fields of study. Our study, which is based on a sample of 47,228 university students in Austria, reveals that the risk of working long hours differs considerably among various groups of students. Besides financial necessity, the results show that seeking work experience and not coming from an academic family background are also strong predictors for entering time-consuming employment, especially for business students. We suggest that higher education educators should effectively address this issue by working more closely with employers, industry representatives, professionals and students. We stress that universities should support their students in building networks, gaining insights into entry-level work and bridging the gap to graduate employment.

Background: This study aimed to determine the actual working conditions, including working hours and desired future working styles of hospital pediatricians and obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in Tokushima Prefecture. Method: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire. Pediatricians and OB/GYNs (n = 96) working at 14 hospitals in Tokushima Prefecture were surveyed. The questionnaire included items related to working hours, working status, number of medical institutions, task-shifting/task-sharing status, and preferred work style. Factors associated with work hours were analyzed. Results: Approximately 40% and 10% of pediatricians and OB/GYNs worked ≥60 h/week and ≥80 h/week, respectively. Their weekly working hours were significantly positively associated with the number of nights and holidays worked and concurrent medical facilities they worked at. Multiple regression models showed that weekly working hours were significantly associated with working at night and day-off duties and the number of working medical institutions being worked at concurrently. Pediatricians and OB/GYNs who worked ≥60 h/week were not implementing a "multiple attending physician system" or "on-call system," and task-shifting/task-sharing was inadequate. A significantly higher proportion of physicians who worked long hours (≥60 h/week or ≥80 h/week) wanted to reduce the number of night and day-off duties and work hours compared with those who did not. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that many pediatricians and OB/GYNs work long hours, and it is essential to improve their work environment, including task-shifting/task-sharing. Further enhanced recruitment and retention of hospital pediatricians and OB/GYNs is required. A detailed and large-scale study of pediatricians and OB/GYNs' working environments is essential in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAs young adults in their 20s to 30s transitioning toward new careers and independence, their dietary and physical activity practices often change, increasing their risk of weight gain. This study explored the ways that Singaporean young adults perceived and experienced the interaction between their working hours, work, and health practices.MethodsThis research used semi-structured interviews to explore the perspectives and experiences of participants. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit 15 men and 18 women, aged 23 to 36, who had worked full-time at their respective jobs in Singapore for at least 1 year. An inductive and deductive thematic analysis approach was employed.ResultsYoung working adults' commitment to work was driven by a hard-working culture, a desire to attain better jobs and remuneration, and to fulfill cultural expectations to support their multi-generation families. Their non-work time was largely spent recuperating from work by socializing over food and in sedentary activities.ConclusionFor young working adults, long work hours are normalized, even though they are a barrier to healthy diets and physical activity. Existing social and institutional norms support a culture that values commitment to work and encourages young adults to devote long hours to building a sound financial future and achieving personal and cultural aspirations. These findings have implications for long-term population health and should be considered in health promotion activities targeting young adults and barriers.