Current social benefits package of shift workers and their future employment expectations: The habituation effect

This article examines the habituation effect in the context of labor mobility among shift workers, focusing on the relationship between the current social benefits package and compensation incentives received at work and the expectations regarding their provision in potential job placement within the permanent residence region. The empirical basis consists of data from a CAWI survey (February 2024, n = 434, shift workers permanently residing in the Republic of Mordovia). The χ² criterion was applied to identify associations between current benefits and future job requirements, while k-means clustering was used to differentiate the demands among various categories of shift workers (by age, education level, and presence of minor children). The study empirically confirms that the composition and structure of the current social benefits package significantly influence shift workers’ expectations for potential employment conditions in their permanent residence region. A statistically significant habituation effect (p < 0.05) was detected for 82% of the benefits analyzed. The shift workers who currently have access to well-equipped workspaces, career advancement opportunities, and corporate guarantees such as employer-sponsored housing programs tend to expect these conditions in future employment near their permanent residence. Three distinct groups of shift workers were identified: "Pre-Retirees" (minimal demands, prioritizing flexible schedules and proximity to home), "Young Professionals" (highest expectations regarding benefits and incentives), "Family-Oriented Workers" (emphasis on child support benefits). The habituation effect transforms corporate-provided benefits into baseline employee demands, particularly among highly mobile skilled workers. The findings help identify which benefits are most strongly influenced by prior work experience and define universally valued corporate guarantees that remain important regardless of current employment conditions.