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The schedule of hours of work is undoubtedly one of the major social problems of industrial society. Statistics estimates that 30 % of Canada's workforce are involved in some kinds of shift work. Of those, 33 % work irregular shifts, just under 30 % work rotating shifts, 17 % work long term evening shifts, 10 % work on call, 3 % work split shifts, 3 % work long term night shifts and just over 3 % are classed as "other." Present estimates tell us that before the trend slows, fully 35 % of the workforce will work some type of shift work (Siroonian 123). Companies are feeling the need to maximize their efficiency by spreading their operating costs over 24 hours. Working other than the standard day shift can cause many problems for the worker. It can affect the worker's health and safety and the relationships with one's family and the community (Carpentier 14).
In this essay, I will discuss about the impact of shift work on humans and make some suggestions of how to alleviate some negative aspect of it. On one hand, shift work enhances economic advantages (Maurice 13). Adoption of shift work may result in a reduction in unemployment, or may provide work for those potentially unemployed (Perlow 46). In some cases, the choice may be between shift work and no work at all.
In addition, shift work can enable full use of capital goods. James Walker suggests that from the point of view of the economy as a whole, the introduction of shift work, by reducing the stock of capital required to produce a given output, can encourage the entry of new firms into an industry and thus makes the economy more competitive (Walker 81). However, despite the economy advantages, we must take human costs into account too. Shift work has side effect on worker in the physiological aspect.
The most common short-term ailment is a stomach or gastro-intestinal problem. One study found shiftworker's had twice as high a rate of ulcers as day workers did. Others have linked shift work with problems like heartburn, loss of appetite, diarrhea and constipation (Aanonsen 57). Few shiftworker's escape their years on rotation without experiencing at least one of those symptoms.
It is because that they are not eating at traditional meal times, and eat junk food or other snacks that are quick and convenient (Aanonsen 58). Caffeine, the shift worker's constant companion, and changing meal times from one day to the next may affect gastric secretions, aggravating digestive problems. Sleep disorders, caused by the disruption of the circadian rhythm, are a common long-term health effect experienced by shiftworker's. Fatigue can also make a person more vulnerable to illness, poor job performance and sagging motivation (Test 26). Because of difficulties getting to sleep or staying awake, shiftworker's may be more likely to suffer from substance abuse. Some may use alcohol or sleeping pills as a tool to help them relax and get to sleep at the end of the shift.
Others may find themselves using tobacco or drugs to keep themselves awake and functioning through the day. All these substances can be addictive, and can lead to other health problems such as heart attack, diabetes and epilepsy (Morgan 75). Many of these health effects, both long term and short term, are interconnected. When some or all of them are piled on the shift worker's shoulders, it may also lead to depression or even nervous breakdown.
Shift work also has effects on worker's family and social life. Plagued by constant exhaustion and obsessed with getting enough sleep, shiftworker's can suffer from high levels of irritability, mood swings and stress. All of these can create complications in family relationships (Simon 343). James Walker suggests that it is common place to talk of "shift working as abnormal, night work as unnatural, shift workers as being isolated" (walker 81). Due to shift work, family routine may never be able to fully set, and shiftworker's may have difficulties playing the role of caregiver, social companion, sexual partners and parents. Shiftworker's have to either conform to their family's routine, interrupting their sleep to have lunch with their families, or follow a routine of their own.
If they do neither, they are forced to live to some extent independently of their families (Simon 344). Less interaction and less communication are bound to put a strain on a relationship. Moreover, community relationships are affected because their schedules are different from those who are working in normal daytime hours. It may be hard for a shift worker to spend time with friends, attend events in the community or participate in social or group recreational activities, which can reinforce the worker's feelings of isolation and depression (Maurice 53).
Although no absolute means can solve the problems of shift work, there are suggestions that can make the situations better. Shiftworker's can improve their diet and eating pattern. They should maintain eating pattern as regular as possible because it can keep energy levels up, improve sleep and help the body to adjust to the shitwork schedule. They should also have a proper diet of high fibre and low fat. Also, intake of caffeine, alcohol and salt, and use of sleeping pills should be limited (Nigel 29).
In addition, sleep maintenance is also very important. Shiftworker's should try to sleep on a set schedule to make sleep during the day easier, and let their friends and families the importance of their daytime sleep. One strategy is to turn off any nearby phones and use a beeper that only family members know the number for and can contact you if there is an emergency. Moreover, exercise is important too. Being physically fit helps the body maintain good health, strengthens muscles and organs such as the heart, and makes the whole system better able to cope with the demands of shift work.
Communications and good family relationships are more difficult for shiftworker's and workers away from home for periods of time, but they are possible. Planning takes more effort when you " re a shift worker. Figuring out how you " re going to spend time with your partner might even mean hiring someone to help with the house, mowing the lawn or driving the children. Social activities are still possible and they are very important to your peace within (Nigel 33). Knowledge is power. Supplied with a little knowledge about how shift work affects the body, shiftworker's and their employers have the power to make changes which will improve communication and also improve health and wel- being of each and every worker.
Bibliography: Aanonsen, Author. Shift work and health. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget, 1964 Carpentier, James. Night Work: Its effects on the health and welfare of the worker. Geneva: International Labour Office, 1977.
Nigel, E[mond]-N[nigel], Y[von] Queinnec, and P. Paoli. Adapting Shift work rrangements Ireland: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, 1988 Maurice, Marc. SHIFT WORK: Economic advantages and social costs. Geneva: International labour Office, 1975. Morgan, David.
Sleep Secrets for shift workers & people with off-bear schedules. New York: Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data, 1996. Perlow, Leslie. Finding Time: How Corporations, Individuals, and Families Can Benefit from New Work Practices. New York: Cornell University Press, 1997. Simon, B.
L... "Impact of shift work on individuals and families. " Families in Society. 71 (6): 342 - 48, June 1990. Siroonian, Jason. Work arrangements. Ottawa: Statistics Canada, Labour and Household Surveys Analysis Division, 1993.
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