Introductory overview - 19th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time : health and well-being in the 24-h society

This dedicated issue of Chronobiology International comprises the partial proceedings of the “19th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time” held August 2009 in Venice, Italy. The key theme of the symposium was “Health and Well-being in the 24-h Society.” The topics covered by the 19 peer-reviewed original research papers address the direct and indirect effects of working time arrangement on the circadian system, sleep, performance, safety, and well-being, i.e., work-family conflict, work-ability, and depression—topics that are consistent with the scope of the Journal. The laboratory-based studies utilize well-designed protocols, and the survey studies constitute representative and large sample sizes. This issue builds upon the tradition established by the Journal commencing with the publication in 2004 of the proceedings of the “16th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time” and the three symposia on shiftwork and working hours published thereafter by the Journal.