Do Work Schedule and Work Position have an Impact on Fatigue among Geothermal Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Analysis Using Structural Equation Modeling

Objectives This study aimed to examine the impact of work schedule and work position on fatigue levels among employees at a private geothermal firm in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has modified its work schedule considering the COVID-19 epidemic to ensure a continuous supply of energy and meet the needs of the public. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the dependent variable is fatigue, which is classified as a latent variable. Fatigue is assessed using the Indonesian version of the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory (SOFI). Fatigue is a condition that has five dimensions: lack of energy, physical exertion, physical discomfort, sleepiness, and lack of motivation. The observed variables in this study include work schedule and work position, which serve as independent variables. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we assessed the impact of the independent variables on each dimension of fatigue. This approach allowed for the analysis of both the measurement and structural models. Results The investigation employed total sampling, involving 132 workers from the company who willingly participated in the study. According to the findings, workers' main fatigue dimension was lack of energy. However, the statistical analysis did not establish a significant influence of work schedule and work position on fatigue. Conclusion Based on the findings of the SEM analysis, it is evident that there is no statistically significant correlation between work schedules and job positions with various dimensions of fatigue assessed using the SOFI questionnaire. These dimensions include lack of energy, physical exertion, physical discomfort, sleepiness, and lack of motivation. While this outcome suggests that work schedules and job positions may not directly influence fatigue levels as measured in this study, it underscores the importance of implementing occupational health and safety management systems. Additionally, promoting good work practices such as offering flexible working hours may help address potential fatigue concerns among employees. However, further research is necessary to explore additional variables that could potentially impact fatigue levels in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.