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Shift workers and the challenges they face

Shift work—work that takes place on a schedule outside the traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday—involves evening or night shifts, early morning shifts, and rotating shifts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 15 percent of full-time workers in the U.S. work on shifts outside the traditional daytime hours.

The BLS reports that most shift workers are in service occupations, like protective service, food preparation and serving, healthcare, and transportation. However, they also work in factories, particularly those facilities that operate around the clock. When times are booming, more shifts run, and more workers must adjust their schedules and lives around shift work.

Shifts go by different names depending on the hours worked. The article “What is the difference between a night and evening shift” on the Houston Chronicle website does a good job of describing shift terminology, which often is different in retail environments than manufacturing or production.

The article states, “The term night shift and evening shift are often used interchangeably. In fact, night shift is more often used than evening shift in describing a period of work that takes place after 5 p.m. In its glossary, though, the PBS website indicates an evening shift means you work at least half your hours between four and midnight, and a night shift means you work half your shift from midnight to 8 a.m.”

Got that? Wait, there’s more. You have the shift variance, because one business operates 24 hours, while another closes overnight. With the latter, you have two basic shifts: day and night. A facility that operates 24-hours could use morning or day shift, evening shift, and night shift to describe its three eight-hour shifts. Alternatively, some use day shift, night shift, and overnight shift.

I have a friend who works in a manufacturing facility. He alternates shifts and has for about 30 years. His day shift rotation consists of four consecutive 12-hr. days (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), followed by four days off, and repeat. After two rotations of day shifts, he then works four consecutive 12-hr. night shifts, followed by four days off, repeat, and then back to days. I don’t know how he does it. This type of schedule takes a terrible toll. It probably helps that he lives alone and has a relatively healthy lifestyle. He also says blackout curtains help.

If you’ve ever traversed time zones, you know how difficult it can be to adjust to even an hour or two difference in your schedule. Imagine the difficulty for those whose days and nights are the opposite of everyone else in their inner circle. It’s even worse for those like my friend. Not for the faint of heart.

Some work odd hours because it’s the only job they can find; some for the increased wage shift work sometimes pays; and some because they genuinely like doing so, although I think these night workers might want to run a DNA test to see if they have any Transylvanian genes.

Whatever the reason, shift work can be very disruptive to the worker’s health and wellbeing. The National Sleep Foundation’s 2008 poll found that only 63 percent of shift workers (versus 89 percent of non-shift workers) said their work schedule allows them to get enough sleep.

“They were significantly more likely to sleep fewer than six hours on workdays, to work more hours per week on average, and to experience drowsy driving at least once a month in the previous year.”

According to the foundation, “not all shift workers suffer from sleep issues. But, approximately 10 percent of night and rotating shift workers are thought to have a sleep disorder known as shift work disorder.

Between roughly 25 to 30 percent of shift workers experience symptoms of the disorder such as excessive sleepiness or insomnia.

“Shift work also is linked to additional problems with physical and mental health, performance, and safety.

“It’s important that shift workers learn specific techniques for improving sleep and managing schedules, to allow for the best sleep and health possible.”

Are you a shift worker who worries that you might be suffering from the disorder? The NSF site has a checklist of possible symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the eight conditions noted in the list, you should see your physician.

The site has many resources that can help you ensure that your odd work schedule doesn’t have such a negative effect on your life. Check it out.

Also helpful is the article “The effects of shift work on the lives of employees” on the BLS website.