Career and Kids

Shift work

by elizabeth on April 15th, 2008

A recent study of shift workers found that some simple changes to the schedule of off-shift workers can result in better health and work-life balance.

A rotating schedule that follows the clock, or a forward rotation (i.e. some day shifts, then evening, then nights) is less damaging to health:

Previous research has established that shift workers are vulnerable to certain health and social problems including substance abuse, sleep disturbances, absenteeism, injuries and accidents.

Many shift workers have frequently changing schedules. Instead of a permanent night shift, for instance, some workers clock in — or log on — at night for several days and then rotate to afternoons for several days. According to the review, forward-rotating shifts that follow the logical order of the day seem to be less damaging to health and easier on the body.

The study also found that giving employees more control over their schedules decreased the impact of shift work on home life.

Many parents choose to alternate shift work with their spouse in order for one parent to be home taking care of children while the other one works, but shift work is often harmful to work-life balance and it can have a great social impact as well.

As a nurse, I’ve not had to work a lot of night shifts, but I did work evenings for a long time, and though I was single at the time, there really was a social impact. I can’t imagine doing it with kids and a family when there’s so much to do around the dinner hour, so I can see where more employee control scheduling could help.

How about you?

Do you or your spouse work off-shifts? How do you manage?

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POSTED IN: Schedules