What is Shift Work?
When deciding to take a job working a night shift, you might ask "what is shift work?" There are many work schedules that are called shift work; they involve working outside the normal daylight hours. That is, outside the hours of around 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the time period in which many people in our society work a 7- to 8-hour shift. Shift workers might work in the evening, in the middle of the night, overtime or extra-long workdays. They also might work regular days at one time or another. Many shift workers "rotate around the clock, which involves changing work times from day to evening, or day to night. This might
happen at different times of the week or at different times of the month. Police officers and firefighters, for example, often work rotating shifts. Other workers might have a "permanent shift and only work at night or in the evenings. Waiters and waitresses, for example,might work only the evening shift. Night watchmen, on the other hand, might work only the overnight or graveyard shift.
happen at different times of the week or at different times of the month. Police officers and firefighters, for example, often work rotating shifts. Other workers might have a "permanent shift and only work at night or in the evenings. Waiters and waitresses, for example,might work only the evening shift. Night watchmen, on the other hand, might work only the overnight or graveyard shift.
Reasons that Working on a Night Shift are Necessary
There are several reasons for shift work. A major reason is that modern technology has made it possible to do many activities at any time of the day or night. This "24-hour society of ours requires that important services be provided at all times. Critical services include public safety, such as police and fire protection; military defense; health care; transportation; and public utilities, such as electrical power, water and telephone. Other industries must operate 24 hours per day because the production process is much longer than 8 hours and must be performed continuously. Many chemical products require such a process. Also, manufacturing industries often have expensive machinery that needs to be operated continuously in order
to be profitable.
Because several occupations and industries operate around the clock,other services have expanded their hours to accommodate evening and nighttime workers. (They also have expanded access for all the rest of us who simply enjoy the convenience.) Some obvious examples are grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants that are open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The increase in these expanded-time services in the past decade or two has opened up the job market for new night workers.
to be profitable.
Because several occupations and industries operate around the clock,other services have expanded their hours to accommodate evening and nighttime workers. (They also have expanded access for all the rest of us who simply enjoy the convenience.) Some obvious examples are grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants that are open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The increase in these expanded-time services in the past decade or two has opened up the job market for new night workers.
Who Works Night Jobs?
Estimates of the number of shift workers varies with the definition of shift work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about five percent of American adults work in the evening. Permanent night workers and workers with irregular schedules make up another four percent. Still another four percent are rotating shift workers. All together, this amounts to about 15.5 million people.
Almost any occupation or industry has some people doing shift work. A quick check of lists provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows about 2 to 10 percent of almost any occupation working evening, night, or rotating shifts. These kinds of schedules happen quite often among police officers and
firefighters.
More than half of them work evenings and nights, and about a quarter of them rotate shifts. Many transportation and public utility workers about one-fifth of them also work shifts. Long-haul truckers often make their best time in the evening or at night. Lately, many materials must be delivered "just in time, or just before they are used in manufacturing. For example,
parts for making automobiles are delivered this way. This practice has forced more truckers to take trips at all hours and at the last minute to make their deliveries on time.
Here are some statistics specifically about who you would see working 2nd, 3rd, and overnight jobs:
Almost any occupation or industry has some people doing shift work. A quick check of lists provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows about 2 to 10 percent of almost any occupation working evening, night, or rotating shifts. These kinds of schedules happen quite often among police officers and
firefighters.
More than half of them work evenings and nights, and about a quarter of them rotate shifts. Many transportation and public utility workers about one-fifth of them also work shifts. Long-haul truckers often make their best time in the evening or at night. Lately, many materials must be delivered "just in time, or just before they are used in manufacturing. For example,
parts for making automobiles are delivered this way. This practice has forced more truckers to take trips at all hours and at the last minute to make their deliveries on time.
Here are some statistics specifically about who you would see working 2nd, 3rd, and overnight jobs:
If we look only at full-time jobs, men work more night and rotating shifts, while women work more evening shifts and do more part-time work. However, full-time shift working women are not far behind in numbers. And more women are entering the workforce full time, so these numbers are changing quickly.
Younger people are more likely to work shifts than older people. African-Americans do more shift work than Caucasian-Americans. Single people work more shifts than married people. If we look at married couples who each have paying jobs, about one-quarter to one-third of these couples have at least one partner who is a shiftworker. If we look at mothers with children at home, single mothers work shifts more often than married mothers.
Younger people are more likely to work shifts than older people. African-Americans do more shift work than Caucasian-Americans. Single people work more shifts than married people. If we look at married couples who each have paying jobs, about one-quarter to one-third of these couples have at least one partner who is a shiftworker. If we look at mothers with children at home, single mothers work shifts more often than married mothers.
Why People Work at Night
Some workers actually prefer non-day work, but most do not seek out night work. Reasons for employees choosing shift work include better pay, more available time during the day for child care, more daylight hours for recreation, and more time to attend school. Some workers prefer the night shift because it is quieter and there are fewer supervisors. Usually, however, workers say they did not choose shift work. They do it either because it is required of the job, or no other job is available.
Credit to: Plain Language About Shiftwork Roger R. Rosa 1 Michael J. Colligan 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Credit to: Plain Language About Shiftwork Roger R. Rosa 1 Michael J. Colligan 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES