What is Shift Work?
Shift work occurs on a work schedule that extends over 24 hours a day and sometimes seven days a week to keep the organization running smoothly and maximize work productivity.
There are many approaches to shift work. An employee can work one of three shifts, each lasting eight hours, in a workplace that operates 24 hours a day. Alternatively, an employee may work 12 hours a day for four consecutive days and then have four days off.
Employers have experimented with every possible type of shift work in an attempt to maximize their workforce’s potential while considering how to reduce any negative impacts on workers. Those who work night shifts particularly suffer from devastating health effects due to a lack of sleep and poor nutritional habits.
Note: Working a fixed shift that employees regularly attend is generally better for employee health and allows them to establish a routine and fulfilling personal life. On the other hand, constantly changing shifts disrupts individuals’ lifestyles.
Who Works Shifts?
Shift work was once confined to the manufacturing sector, but it now occurs in many industries and fields, including law enforcement, the military, security, healthcare, retail, restaurants, hospitality, grocery stores, transportation, fire stations, convenience stores, customer service centers, newspapers, and media outlets. The list also includes any facility that hosts people 24 hours a day, such as prisons, nursing homes, hotels, and college dormitories.
Hiring Employees for Shift Work
It is much easier to attract talent if you have set eight-hour shifts. Employees know what to expect and can decide whether to accept or decline the job based on its impact on their family, hobbies, or other lifestyle choices.
For example, a nurse should know the expected work schedule before accepting a job at a hospital where night shifts are common. A nurse who cannot work only during the day may consider working at a doctor’s office, where extended patient care usually means working an hour or two beyond closing time.
Implementing shift work in a workplace that has traditionally operated from 8 AM to 5 PM can be challenging. Not only are you changing working conditions, but you are also disrupting families. Introducing shift work after the fact is always controversial and can lead to employee turnover.
Modified Shift Work
In companies committed to customer service outside the traditional eight-hour workday, modified shifts or extended shifts or overlapping shifts can be suitable. For example, a software development company announces on its website that customer service and technical support are available from Monday to Sunday, from 7 AM to 10 PM Eastern Time.
People working at the start and end of a shift will have overlapping time with other employees, but their hours are adjusted to provide coverage. For example, one employee might work from 7 AM to 4 PM, while another employee may work from 1 PM to 10 PM.
Note: In the case of exempt employees working shifts in a white-collar environment, employers need data on how extended shifts impact satisfaction. For instance, forcing employees to work late into the evening and giving up precious family or social time will not encourage employee retention, especially among millennials who highly value work-life balance and often have the technical skills to transition to another job.
Regulations
Federal and State
In all types of work using shift systems, federal and state laws regulate topics such as meal breaks, minimum wage, overtime, recording, and breaks, especially for non-exempt employees.
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Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/shift-work-1918258
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