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Shift Working

Definition, Explanation Tips, Checklist
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Definition, Explanation

Shift work means that job performances are carried out at different times of the day. Depending on when the working hours are, one speaks of day shift, night shift, early shift and late shift. Employers share a working place consequently meaning that it is occupied for more than 8 hours. Shift work can be found in many companies where the machinery is on round the clock or where those services are rendered, which are not only required during the day. Among these are hospitals, the police, the fire brigade as well as production plants, data processing centres, restaurants and hotels, the media, mining and call centres. In order to render these services, the employees work in several shifts or duties. Due to the expansion of services like longer opening hours, an expansion of shift work can be ascertained.

Shift work involves various systems from the classic two to three shift operation up to five shift companies, to group combinations and individual planning. The general rules for shift work are stipulated in the Act on Working Hours. The special characteristics including working hours and supplements are regulated in the wage settlements or refer to the individual needs of the company in company agreements.

Working shifts, and above all, the shifts that extend into the night represents a particular physical and psychological burden. Disorders like sleep disturbances, depression, cardio-vascular disorders and stomach ulcers can often be often discovered among "shift workers". In some cases, leisure time and the time spent with family and friends suffer, which has a negative effect on the work-life-balance. The risk of accidents during working hours and on the way to work also increases due to fatigue and insufficient sleep. On the other hand, shift work and working longer shifts are happily done because more days off are available and more income due to can be maintained due to supplements.

In order to minimise the advantages of shift work, changing shifts has become natural in many cases. For example: one works 5 days early shift and then after two days off, 5 days midday shift. Models are being increasingly introduced where a shift change happens every two days.

The employer, whereby the employee organisation has the right of co determination, can also order shift work. The severely disabled are not exempt or excluded from shift work in general. However, there can be a claim to disability-friendly formation of the working hours that makes it more sensible to for the disabled be exempt. On the other hand, pregnant women do not have any claims to altered conditions during shift work.

Tips, Checklist

  • Ensure good shift plans where only a few nights in succession are to be worked instead of the usually set 6 – 10 nights. Your body does not need to adapt and you have fewer sleep disturbances
  • The longest possible periods of rest should follow night shifts, optimally no less than 24 hours
  • In order to be able to make shift work more bearable, each individual situation should be taken into account. Working processes, demands and effects in hospitals are no different to assembly belts
  • Ensure you do not see too much sunlight after a late of night shift; thus put sunglasses on
  • Consciously have a healthy diet with small portions of carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables. Avoid fats and coffee. You should not have any caffeinated drinks 4 hours before you go to bed to avoid difficulties in falling asleep or sleeping through
  • A person who can work better in the evening or at night is more suitable for shift work than a morning person. Older people usually find it more difficult to work shifts than younger people
  • Take breaks. These can reduce tiredness and they promote the ability to concentrate
  • If you are a night shift worker, go to bed at fixed times even on days off. Alternating shift workers should adapt themselves to the sleep and wake cycles a few days before the shift
  • Treat yourself to a nap every now and again. This helps to balance out lacking sleep
  • Only take sleeping pills for a short period, in order to prevent becoming dependent. Apart from that, they often have an effect for longer than 8 hours, which can lead to an impairment of readiness to perform
  • Sleep in cool, dark rooms. Do not work or watch TV in bed. Reduce outside noises by tuning off the phone, for example. Disturbing noise can be minimised by regular noises
  • Choose lower temperatures at work. Light rooms and caffeinated drinks help you to stay awake
  • Try to get foreseeable and reliable shift plans

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Last update: 02/22/2010
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Copyright: Angela Bauer