Do extended shifts and recovery affect burnout and sustainable employability in healthcare workers?

Background

The Dutch healthcare sector faces high sickness absenteeism, often due to mental health complaints such as burnout (7,3% in 2024; CBS, 2025). In addition, staff shortages are substantial (>53.000 vacancies) and expected to rise sharply by 2034 (>288.000 vacancies; MinVWS, 2025). Healthcare sustainability depends on adequate recruitment, retention, and sustainable employability (SE). Extended shifts (>10 hours) may address staffing issues, but their consequences are understudied. Maintaining decent work conditions and preventing burnout remain essential. This study examines associations between extended shifts, job control, recovery, burnout, and SE, building on the SE conceptualization of Hazelzet et al. (2019) and recent recovery and burnout theories.

Methods

Quantitative data were collected via online surveys among 907 Dutch healthcare workers in three waves with 4-week intervals (Q1 2026). T1 data were analysed. Measures included working time arrangements, work characteristics, leisure time management, burnout (Burnout Assessment Tool), and SE (Maastricht Instrument for Sustainable Employability). Descriptive, comparative, and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 28.0.

Results

Working time arrangements varied widely; 14.1% worked extended shifts. Burnout prevalence (high–very high) was 16.4%, and 63.5% reported burnout complaints. Extended shifts were linked to lower leisure time management, lower job control, and higher burnout, but not to reduced SE (health and productivity dimensions). Job control and leisure time management were associated with lower burnout and better SE (health dimension).

Conclusions

Extended shifts are a risk factor for burnout. Leisure time management and job control may help prevent burnout. These findings highlight the importance of appropriate work schedules and recovery for preventing burnout and supporting SE. Longitudinal research is needed to better understand underlying processes and development over time.

Key messages

• Extended shifts increase the burnout risk among Dutch healthcare workers, but do not impact sustainable employability.

• Job control and recovery in the form of adequate leisure time management help prevent burnout and increase sustainable employability.