How Employers can Lessen the Negative Impacts of Shift Work
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Shift work is a reality in many Canadian workplaces, despite its known negative impact on work-life balance, health and wellbeing, and safety. So, why then do Canadian employers continue in the practice of having workers on the clock around the clock?
It’s pretty simple: there are 24 hours in a day, and many successful employers are successful because they maximize the productivity and output of their organizations across all 24 of those hours. The typical schedule sees the day split into three shifts: midnight shift, starting at 11pm and ending at 7am, a day shift that works from 7am-3pm, and then an afternoon shift that starts at 3pm and works until 11pm. Some workplaces follow a two-shift 12-hour split instead, such as hospitals. Most (but not all) workers rotate through the shifts biweekly or monthly. |
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Shift workers are more likely to be involved in and injured by workplace accidents.
The Impacts on Health
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hile shift work might make sense from a business standpoint, what are the impacts on the health, safety, wellness, and personal life of the workers who must manage these ever-changing schedules to make a living? In short, they’re not good. Some negative impacts of shift work include:
Sleep Stress & Fatigue A rotating shift-work schedule increases the chance of developing shift work sleep disorder, which is characterized by both insomnia and excessive sleepiness. It is frustrating for workers who are exhausted but unable to sleep. Shift work has a direct impact on the circadian rhythm which can be very disruptive to the natural sleep cycle. Physical Health Issues Shift workers are at great risk for a myriad of health problems. This increased risk is a direct result of working shift work and includes serious health problems, such as:
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Mental Health Problems
In addition to the number of physical ailments shift workers are at risk of, shift work also has a serious and detrimental effect on mental health. Shift work and lack of sleep are shown to be directly related to depression. Frequent Substance Abuse A NIOSH study from 2012 purports that shift workers are more likely to abuse drugs than others and that they’re also at higher risk for picking up and getting addicted to smoking. Smoking and drug use are each accompanied by a host of other physical and mental health concerns. Accidents This 2010 NCBI study found that workers are more likely to be involved in and be injured in workplace accidents. With shift work comes fatigue, sleep disruption and deprivation, both of which contribute to greater instances of human error on the job – sometimes at a great cost. |
Work-Life Balance Impacts
According to StatsCan, work-life balance for some working shifts is reportedly better. This may be because it works out better for childcare, aligns better with their spouse’s schedule allowing for more time together, or provides better pay due to shift premiums and differentials. However, many shift workers struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Some felt they were unable to spend enough time with loved ones, but most site role overload as the biggest issue. That is, not having enough time in the day to fulfill all the roles they feel they must fill to maintain a healthy balance between work and life. Shift work may also impact marriage. It may make communicating and connecting more challenging. When time is spent together, sometimes it’s overshadowed by fatigue, a darkened mood brought on by lack of sleep, or feelings of disconnectedness. |
Most workplace wellness programs include options to help employees reduce their stress at work, such as fitness programs, on-site stretching and massages, and Employee Assistance Programs.
How Employers Can Lessen the Impact
If shift work is key to your organization’s success, there are strategies you can implement to help lessen the negative impact it has on worker health and safety, such as:
Most workplace wellness programs include options to help employees reduce their stress at work, such as fitness programs, on-site stretching and massages, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Wellness programs increase retention, and they can be powerful recruitment tools. Worker wellness programs can vary, are totally customizable, and are worth the effort! Be sure your wellness program includes sleep scheduling and shift work supports.
- Provide consistency
- Increase safety measures on the night shift
- Work scheduling – if it’s possible, leave the heavy lifting for the day shift to reduce the tasks that are more dangerous on nights
- Make frequent breaks mandatory on nights
- Provide an EAP and support for anyone experiencing substance abuse issues
- Provide training
- Educate workers on how to create and stick to a healthy sleep schedule
- Don’t make workers pay for coffee on nights – a little caffeine can help reduce accidents and keep workers alert – Check out the study!
- Offer health benefits and ensure all employees know about them
- Listen – when an employee comes to you with a concern, listen and take it seriously
- Create a wellness program and make it available to everybody
Most workplace wellness programs include options to help employees reduce their stress at work, such as fitness programs, on-site stretching and massages, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Wellness programs increase retention, and they can be powerful recruitment tools. Worker wellness programs can vary, are totally customizable, and are worth the effort! Be sure your wellness program includes sleep scheduling and shift work supports.
Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting
MidSouthWest Training and Consulting offers online Fatigue Management Training. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.
To learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
To learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
Last updated January 5, 2022
