Do you know about the effects of shift work on an employee’s health? Not many employers do. Meanwhile, over 8.6 million people in the US work irregular shifts.
People like health workers, police officers, firefighters, truck drivers, and pilots are forced to work odd shifts to make ends meet. Some do it because their job demands it. Others do it out of financial necessity.
Whatever the reason, these employees suffer from the negative impacts of shiftwork and long work hours. What are these impacts, and how can they be mitigated?
These are some of the questions we will answer today as we look closer at shift work effects on health. Stay with us to learn how to manage these effects by creating employee health and wellness programs.
How Does Shift Work Affect Employees’ Health?
Shift work can affect employees physiologically while also impacting their lifestyle. That is why supporting employee self-care at work and home is essential for fostering a healthy work-life balance.
Here are the different impacts shift work can have on your employees.
Chronic Health Conditions
The negative impacts of shiftwork and long work hours can appear as chronic health conditions like cardiovascular, digestive, and mental health disorders.
Cardiovascular Issues
Studies show that those who work irregular hours have a higher risk of hypertension, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. This risk is even higher in those who already have underlying cardiac issues.
Shift work effects on heart health can be attributed to the disruption in the sleep-wake cycle, which causes hormone imbalances and increases inflammation in the body, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
Digestive Problems
Digestive problems are another consequence of odd shifts. The negative impacts of shiftwork and long work hours on gastrointestinal health have been well studied.
A recent review published by the Industrial Health Journal shows that rotating shift work increases the chances of digestive issues, including irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, indigestion, and peptic ulcers.
The shift work effects on gastrointestinal health can be attributed to poor diet choices and irregular eating patterns from working odd hours.
Mental Health Disorders
In addition to physical issues, shiftwork can lead to mental health problems. Studies show that people who work night shifts are 33% more susceptible to developing depression and various mood disorders.
The mental health effects of working long hours can be attributed to the social isolation of employees. Some studies also show that working irregular hours can affect employees’ brain chemistry, reducing specific chemicals like serotonin in their bodies.
Disrupted Sleep Patterns
Shift work effects on health can also be seen as disrupted sleep patterns. Those who work odd hours must change their sleep schedules to make their shifts.
A disruption in sleep patterns can make it harder to fall asleep and cause fatigue, irritability, and lack of focus the next day.
Furthermore, lack of sleep will lead to other health issues like metabolic disorders and digestive problems, impacting the overall well-being of the employee negatively.
Social and Family Life
Finally, the negative impacts of shiftwork and long work hours can be seen in an employee’s social and family life. Shift work effects on social health stem from the constantly changing schedules and the inability to participate in social activities.
The social isolation that comes with working irregular hours can impact an employee’s quality of life, making them feel lonely, detached, and depressed.
Solutions to Mitigate the Negative Impacts of Shiftwork on Health
There are various measures employers and employees can take to mitigate the health effects of long work hours. Here are some solutions you can start implementing today.
Flexible Scheduling Options
One of the most effective solutions to overcome the impact of shift work on health is to offer flexible scheduling to employees who can’t work odd shifts.
Even if you can’t remove night shifts, you can still make improvements by rotating shifts or allotting time for napping in each shift. This flexibility gives employees more control over their hours and allows them to manage their work-life balance better.
Frequent Rest Breaks
Another way to battle the negative impacts of shiftwork and long work hours is to give employees adequate rest breaks. Regular breaks can help employees recharge and prevent burnout.
You can even have your employees perform dynamic stretches during their breaks. Stretching can mitigate shift work effects on employees’ health. It can also prevent overuse injuries and boost productivity.
Nutrition and Exercise Consultations
Many shift workers struggle with maintaining a balanced diet and finding time to exercise. However, exercising and eating nutritious foods are some of the most effective ways of bringing total worker health home and combating the negative impacts of shiftwork and long work hours.
Consider investing in professional nutrition and exercise consultations to keep your employees healthy and allow them to bring some balance back into their lives.
Mental Health Support
Shift work effects on mental health can make day-to-day life difficult for your employees. You can combat these effects by giving your workers access to counseling services, mental health resources, and stress management programs.
These resources will teach your employees how to cope with the stress of their irregular working hours and find peace and clarity in their lives.
Social Activities
Finally, you can provide social activities and special gatherings outside of work hours to allow your employees to connect. You can even have them bring their family members to these events.
Checking in with your staff this way will make them feel more supported and less isolated.
Fight the Negative Impacts of Shiftwork and Long Work Hours With BIOKINETIX
Do not overlook the effects of shift work on employees’ health. These effects can affect employees’ physical and mental well-being while reducing productivity.
If you need professional help mitigating these effects, you can contact BIOKINETIX.
Our occupational medical services and personal programs allow employees to find a much-needed work-life balance and fight the negative impacts of shiftwork.
Schedule a no-cost analysis today to learn more about our tailored wellness programs.
