Night shift cancer studies are being released from countries around the world. Most of this research is pointing to a link between night shift, or graveyard shift as it is sometimes called, and breast and colon cancer. Although reasons for elevated cancer levels in those working nights may have more to do with diet and exercise, the studies are shining a bright light on the health risks associated with shift work.
For Immediate Release – December 26, 2007
Core Practice Partners has announced new strategies to fight the potential risk of cancer on night shift. The two pronged approach consists of health and nutrition education for shift workers combined with schedules that minimize exposure to night shift hours. Considering night shifts are preferred over afternoon shifts almost 2 to 1 according to the Core Practice Partners benchmark database, finding a way to make them healthier should be a top priority.
According to Senior Partner John Frehse, “The studies on night shift have accelerated acceptance of what we already know. The fear of cancer is causing employers to take action now rather than waiting for the United States to confirm that night shift is indeed a cause for cancer. There is not one silver bullet that makes working a night shift unhealthy, but rather a list of over 100 factors that when combined create a debilitating experience for employees.”
To fight this health crisis, Core Practice Partners has created shift schedules that minimize exposure to working between the hours of 10pm and 6am, the most common hours shift workers would be sleeping if they weren’t working. On traditional 8 hour night shifts employee typically work between 10pm and 6am or 11pm to 7am. This accounts for 5 night shifts each week. Alternatives can bring night shift exposure down 30% without hurting the required business coverage in companies demanding maximum capital utilization.
Alternative schedules are only part of the solution. According to Core Practice Partners exercise, nutrition, and sleep strategies are also critical pieces of the equation. 64 ounce sodas and fast food burgers are common dietary staples of the night shift employee. Few options exist during the night shift hours and the 24 hour drive thru may be the most convenient. Coming off of night shifts, employees are typically exhausted but struggle to find quality sleep. Little education is provided for night shift employees on sleep strategies to improve their quality of life. With the exhaustion associated with poor diet and little sleep, exercise is an unlikely activity for the night shift worker.
The announcement by Core Practice Partners that a holistic approach is now available to improve the quality of life of the shift worker while not adversely impacting the business breaks new ground for companies that want the best for their employees but have aggressive goals for top and bottom line performance.
Learn more at http://www.corepractice.com
2 comments:
We work 24/7 at our plant and I've been trying to get management to see the dangers of night shift. I think we should put everyone on days and afternoons and close the plant at nights. That would make everyone happy. Also, what do you think about weekend work? Doesn't it make sense to hire people who like to work the weekends, then we can just work Monday through Friday.
Two key points:
The first about not working night shift sounds good for employees, but that could possibly put the company out of business and then no one has a job. Capital utilization is a key cost driver and if demand for a product is there, 24x7 may be the reality, even with the health issues. Combine that with the fact that twice is many people like night shift over afternoon shift and you may end up with lower morale. The answer is probably to look at some innovative schedules that allow for reduced health risks and full utilization. The CPP Employee Scheduling Index has some innovative choices. Call Ethan Franklin at 312 255 1646 to ask about them. Tell him John Frehse sent you. We can't afford to ignore the health issues, but keeping our companies strong will also allow for longterm employment, something important to America's families.
Point #2 references weekend work and hiring a separate workforce for the weekends. This can be a real disaster for several reasons.
1. The employees typically work 30-36 hours but get paid benefits based on 40 hours. This raises benefit costs/effective hour by between 10 and 33%.
2. Quality on the weekends typically suffers. Weekend Warriors as they are often called are typically lower in seniority and skill balance is an issue. In some cases this may be a second job and dedication is an issue.
3. An Us vs. Them scenario is created where the weekend crews blame the Monday thru Friday crews and vice versa for performance related issues. The compnay becomes fragmented.
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