According to a new research, giving employees more flexibility over their work timetables is likely to improve their physical condition.

But, interventions, which are motivated or prescribed by the requirements of the boss, including cutting hours, either have no effect on employee wellbeing or make it worse.

Review co-author Clare Bambra, a researcher at Durham University, in England stated, "Control at work is good for health."

"Given the absence of ill health effects associated with employee-controlled flexibility and the evidence of some positive improvements in some health outcomes," Bambra said, more flexibility in work schedules "has the potential to promote healthier workplaces and improve work practices."

Review lead author Kerry Joyce, also a researcher at Durham University, stated that besides physical risks, the place of work can pose a threat to physical condition owing to factors such as high work pressures, lawlessness and limited social interaction with others.

Stress, in turn, can contribute to problems including heart disease, depressive disorder and nervousness.

In the study, the authors sought to settle on what scientists have detected about the effects on health of "flexible working" - measures, which provide employees liberty.

They also considered other types of interventions including involuntary part-time employment and mandatory overtime, which assist employers.

The scientist discovered 10 studies that conform to their standards for review inclusion. Three happened in US, two in Finland and one each in the Netherlands, UK, Australia and Denmark. Another study studied employees in U. K. and Germany.

The appraisal appears in the recent issue of The Cochrane Library. (With Input from Agencies)