Hours of Work
The effects of shift work on family and social life can also add stress. Employees working shift work typically experience more difficulty maintaining a healthy lifestyle (good eating habits, non-smoking, regular exercise), which puts them at greater risk for health issues such as chronic fatigue, digestive troubles or heart disease. With the increasing use of 12 hour shifts, there is growing concern about fatigue and safety, especially in jobs that are physically or mentally demanding.
Although some workers adapt to continuous night work, others may never be able to adjust to this work schedule. The common estimate is that at least two out of ten people who try permanent night work are unable to continue for either medical or social reasons (family, friends). Where possible, continuous night work should be voluntary.
There is considerable research focused on trying to understand the impact of the length of the work shift and the rotation cycle both on performance and long term health. To optimize hours of work, the type of work and other organizational factors should be taken into consideration. With physically demanding work, if the eight hour shift moves to a 12 hour shift schedule, then the overall aerobic requirements should be reduced to eliminate accumulated fatigue resulting from performing aerobic work over a 12 hour period.
Supporting good health habits (e.g. nutrition, exercise) and scheduling effective work breaks can also help reduce the impact of shift work. Considering cognitive ergonomics in the design of jobs involving monitoring or vigilance can make it easier to do these jobs over extended periods of time.
When making decisions around hours of work it is critical to carefully consider the latest research evidence and potential impacts. Worker preference is not always consistent with what is best for health and performance. As new information becomes available, it may lead to significant improvements in the way we schedule work to optimize the balance between production demands and worker capabilities.
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