Shift work

Learning outcomes At the end of this lecture and with additional reading you will be able to – Define shift work – Discuss the effect of shit work on individuals, groups and organisations – Advise how shift patterns can be varied and optimised

Force for change Customer demand – Sunday opening – 1995 – Call centres Competition – Reduction in international trade barriers Technology Public sector – privatisations

What is shift work There has been a growing need for people to work outside what is know as the normal working day 9-5pm This could mean that they work – Earlys – Lates – Nights – Weekends

How does it effect individuals Circadian rhythm – Sleep problems – Chronis fatigue – depression Health problems Isolation

How does it effect groups Positives – Strong identity – Strong team building – competitive Negatives – More independent – Work with out managers

How does it effect organisations Positives – Decentralisation and development of decision taking – Slimmer and flatter management structures – More project based and cross functional initiatives and team working Negatives – Expensive to implement – retention/recruitment I issues

Changing patterns A shift is a continuous period of work – It can have different lengths but is usually ranges from 4hrs to 12hr A shift can be fixed A shift can rotate – A common 2 shift rotating system Early 06:00 – 14:00 Late 14:00 – 22:00 Night 22:00 – 06:00

Rotating shifts Rapid – Over days Intermediate – Over weeks Slow – Over months

Safety and health Duty of care – Employers have a duty of care under section 19 of the occupational safety and health act to provide safe systems of work so that employees are not exposed to hazards – Employees also have a duty of care under section 20 of the act to take reasonable care of their own safety and health at work and that of others

How to cope Diet an eating patterns – Maintain regularly eating patterns – Time meals carefully – Pay attention to the type of food – Avoid use of tranquilizers Sleep – Sleep on a set schedule – Make sure that family and friends are aware – Make time for quiet relaxation before going to bed

How to cope General – Pay attention to general physical fitness – Find out about potential health problems associated with shift – Learn how to recognise and reduce stress – Take leisure seriously

How to design shift patterns - Consider age of night workers – Building single night shifts Plan at least 24hrs free time after each night shift Maintain a quickly rotating shift pattern Add at least 2 consecutive days off to aid recovery Change shift pattern

References Donald on-line resources