By Brandyn Charlton, MA, ATC, LAT, CEAS
Injury Prevention Specialist, Fit For Work
The Benefits of Shift Work
Throughout history, societies have recognized the advantages of shift work. In 6 A.D., the Vigiles of ancient Rome provided nighttime firefighting and police services to keep the city safe. During the mid-18th century, the Industrial Revolution introduced nontraditional work schedules in factories producing everything from farm equipment to fabrics. Fast-forward to the 1900s, when the rise of the global, high-tech, service-oriented economy created a demand for 24/7 work schedules. Today, it’s clear that nonstandard hours are here to stay, with 16% of Americans working outside the traditional nine-to-five workday.
Shift Work Schedules
Shift work ranges from fixed to rotating schedules, with teams on the job during early mornings, late afternoon/evenings, and overnight hours. Nearly 30% of healthcare workers and 20% of support staff work overnight shifts in hospitals, while truckers, warehouse workers, aviation professionals, and emergency responders ensure services, goods, and safety are available around the clock. Society and employers alike benefit from shift work, as it maximizes productivity and ensures the continuous delivery of goods and services both locally and globally.
The Challenges of Shift Work
However, there are downsides to shift work, including negative impacts on workers’ health and lives. Almost 30% of hourly workers report struggling with poor sleep and associated health problems. Sleep disruption can lead to chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue, resulting in Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD), which occurs when the natural circadian rhythm is disrupted. Part 2 of our Shift Work series will examine sleep issues in detail.
Shift workers may face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and digestive issues due to poor nutritional habits. Obesity can lead to sleep apnea and diabetes, while mental health concerns often follow disruptions to one’s schedule. Additionally, research has shown that circadian disruption can negatively affect biological systems that help prevent cancer. Health issues related to shift work can decrease productivity and increase costs due to medical/insurance claims, along with time off for healthcare appointments.
There are also social impacts to shift work. Many people experience trouble maintaining a healthy work-life balance and face challenges in their relationships, family, and social life. Participating in community or school events is often not possible, and adjusting from a workweek to a weekend schedule affects sleeping and eating schedules. Many return to work on Sunday night or Monday sleep-deprived, reaching for energy drinks to stay alert and keep moving.
Workplace accidents often rise on off-shifts due to fatigue and reduced cognitive function. It’s common for warehousing operations to report an increase in incidents, such as second- or third-shift tow motor or forklift accidents, that require investigation and follow-up.
How Shift Workers Cope
Employees exhibit significant variability in their tolerance for and adaptation to shift work. Some are more productive later in the day, while others prefer shift work to accommodate personal, family, or lifestyle needs. The potential for higher wages or shift differentials, along with benefits like an easier commute outside of rush hours and a quieter, more independent work environment, are also commonly cited as reasons for choosing these schedules.
Managers must be attuned to shift workers’ differences in adaptability, performance, and support needs. One size does not fit all when supervising shift workers.
On the other hand, some employees struggle to adjust, especially if shift work is not their choice. Many new hires begin on the night shift, often being younger, less educated, and less experienced than more seasoned workers. This situation leads to more training, quality, and performance challenges for managers, especially as shift work typically has less onsite supervision. Many organizations pair new hires with experienced workers and boost training to ease onboarding and improve outcomes.
10 Tips to Support your Team
As shift work becomes a vital part of many industries, it’s essential for employers to support their teams in managing the unique challenges it brings. By fostering a healthy work environment, you can enhance productivity, reduce health risks, and ensure your shift workers thrive. Here are 10 practical tips to help you support your team and keep them performing at their best:
- Manage Light Exposure: Encourage employees to expose themselves to bright light during shifts and create a dark environment when returning home to support better sleep.
- Maintain a Consistent Schedule: Advocate for a consistent shift schedule, where possible, to help employees maintain better sleep, health, productivity, and safety.
- Offer Flexible Work Options: When feasible, offer flexible shift scheduling or rotating shifts to allow employees to adjust to their work hours gradually. This can reduce the impact of sudden schedule changes and improve overall well-being.
- Encourage Proper Nutrition and Exercise: Promote a workplace culture that prioritizes proper nutrition (proteins, fruits, vegetables, hydration) and encourages at least 20 minutes of daily exercise, such as walking, plus weekly weight training.
- Provide Support and Resources for Mental Health: Offer access to mental health resources, such as counseling or stress management programs, to help employees cope with the mental and emotional challenges that come with shift work.
- Ensure Fitness for Duty Through Collaboration: Monitor and identify employees at risk of fatigue and emphasize shared responsibility for fitness for duty between employers and employees. This partnership should start during personnel selection and continue through onboarding. Consider offering in-house occupational sleep healthcare or partnering with external sleep health providers.
- Promote Sleep Planning: Support employees in planning time for sleep on their days off and encourage open communication about sleep needs with family and friends.
- Address Sleep-Related Accidents and Errors: When accidents or errors occur, investigate if fatigue or sleep deprivation played a role. Labor and management should jointly assess these incidents to identify potential improvements.
- Set Clear Guidelines on Sleep and Fatigue Management: Establish clear policies on rest periods and turnaround times. Implement policies that ensure employees take regular, scheduled breaks throughout their shifts to prevent fatigue, and aim to give workers 8-10 hours of rest between shifts.
- Provide Training on Shift Work Best Practices: Offer training for employees on how to manage the unique challenges of shift work, including strategies for improving sleep, nutrition, and stress management. Empowering employees with knowledge on how to optimize their health and well-being while on shift can lead to better performance and reduced burnout.
Conclusion
Shift work is here to stay, and while it offers significant benefits, it also comes with its challenges. By proactively addressing the impact of shift work, employers can improve outcomes and support the well-being of their teams. Demonstrating compassion, setting clear expectations, and implementing the right strategies are key to creating a healthier, more productive work environment.
If you are ready to take the next step—contact us to learn how we can help you support your shift workers and enhance safety and performance across your organization.
Brandyn Charlton earned his NATA BOC certification in November 1993 after graduating from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Science and Exercise Physiology. He then worked as a graduate assistant at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania for two years on the Sports Medicine/Athletic Training staff. After obtaining his master’s degree, Brandyn worked in various roles, including Certified Athletic Trainer at the Division III college level, High School Athletic Director/AT, Clinical AT, and High School Outreach, while serving as the Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society. In 2015, he transitioned into the industrial sector as an Injury Prevention Specialist, working with clients in industries like electrical power generation, power transmission, underground gas utilities, and warehousing. In 2024, Brandyn joined Fit For Work, providing injury prevention and support services to a variety of industries. He is married with three children and enjoys history and camping with his family.
References
- Redline Digital. (n.d.). Shift work statistics. Retrieved from https://redline.digital/shift-work-statistics/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021, April 27). Night shift work and cancer risks. NIOSH Science Blog. Retrieved from https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2021/04/27/nightshift-cancer/
- Akerstedt, T., & Wright, K. P., Jr. (2009). Sleep loss and fatigue in shift work and shift work disorder. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 4(2), 257–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2009.03.001
- Saksvik, I. B., Bjorvatn, B., Hetland, H., Sandal, G. M., & Pallesen, S. (2011). Individual differences in tolerance to shift work: A systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 15(4), 221–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2010.07.002
