Shift work and its effect
on performance
Objectives..
Definition of shift work
Different shift work patterns
Impact of shift work on performance
Negative consequences
Positive consequences
Shift work
A period of work which is performed outside the
normal spread of hours, particularly when a
factory or business operates on a 24 hour basis
Includes both long-term night shifts and work
schedules in which employees change or rotate
shifts
According to Labour Force Survey of Spring
(1997)
1. 3.6 million UK workers usually worked shifts
2. Shift work was only slightly more prevalent for
men than for women
Shift Work Patterns
1. “Three-shift system”
2. “Four on, four off”
4 days, 12 h shifts, then 4 days off
3..“Four on, two off”
only 2 days off
7-day period (56 hours)
12-hour shifts
4. “Two days, two nights, four off”
12-hour shifts from 7am-7pm on day shifts and from
7pm-7am on nights
5. “12/24/12/48”
shifts of 12 hours; first a daily shift, followed by 12 h
rest, then a night shift, finishing with 24 h rest
6. “Continental shift
Three-shift system usually worked for 7 days straight,
after which employee is given time off
7. “Split shift”
4 hours in the morning, then 4 hours in the evening
8. “Earlies and lates”
two shift that largely overlap
9. “7-day fortnight shift”
Employees work their chosen hours within 7 days
41 hours per week equate to 82 hours per fortnight
(14 days and nights)
Worked in 7 days, at 11-12 hours per shift
10. “DuPont 12 Hour Rotating Shift”
24/7 coverage; 4 crews and 12 hour shifts
11. “Seven Day Eight Hour Rotating Shifts”
Provides 24/7 coverage using 8 hour shifts with 4
crews
Shift work and Performance
Studies in the UK have found that compared with day workers,
shift workers:
Suffer 2 to 5 times the rate of stomach disorders
Are 40% more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease
Suffer from peptic ulcers at an early age
Suffer from more anxiety and depression
Are more likely to die younger
Older versus younger subjects
An Australian study found worker age a factor in shift work
performance. Comparing performance during shift work
between different age group (twenties vs forties), showed that
the older group had a significant decrease in performance
during night shifts, while the younger subjects in their twenties
were able to maintain performance during day and night shifts.
The results also showed that the older group performed lower
than the younger group in a 12-hour shift.
Undesirable consequences for those
working shift, include:
Disruption of the internal body clock
Poor sexual performance
Sleep deprivation appears to aggravate job stress, and/or
workers ability to cope with it. It also affects peoples’
motivation and attitude. Absenteeism, tardiness and
carelessness are common to irritable shift workers.
Sleeping difficulties and fatigue, which can affect their reaction
time and concentration, as well as they may be less alert and
may make ill-judged decisions, and increase the likelihood of
errors
The consequences of fatigue problems
can be fatal
E.g. the effects of fatigue on the quality of police line-ups.
As police officers engage in shift work, their performance in
multiple areas is likely to be influenced by fatigue. If an
officer is tired or working under pressing deadlines, it is
possible that the quality of the line-up may be significantly
reduced. Further, the quality of the interview can greatly
influence rates of false identification. Therefore, the
importance of high quality line-ups is essential to protecting
the rights of the innocent.
Research has shown that fatigued suspects are more likely to
falsely confess to a crime that they did not commit than
suspects who are not tired.
The incidence of accidents and injuries has been found to be
higher on night shifts
E.g. The Clapham Junction Rail accident in 1988.
Benefits of shift work in on
performance (hospitals)
Shift work can improve patient care as, shifts change, so tired staff
can be relieved by ‘fresh’ staff and therefore the standard of care
remains consistent and affective.
Shift work helps targets to be achieved, especially in hospitals, as
there may be a sense of shared work, instead of one person
responsible for a piece of work which needs to be completed
before their day ends, in other words, work can be handed over,
which is improving performance overall.
Society today has become a 24 hour phenomena, so it is essential
for hospitals to have shift work, as they need to be open all the
time, to cater to society’s needs. Shift work is the only way
affective way to cater for this need.
Shift work provides freedom to staff, for family life etc, especially
to people with children. For example, nurses working a nightshift
can be available for their kids during the day.
How to manage the effectives of
shift work to improve performance
Get quality sleep after the shift, no disturbances, thick curtains so
no light, quiet and comfortable.
Adequate support from management, family and friends.
Exercise to reduce stress.. Obviously not straight after the shift!