Shift work less romance
By Ria Sharma

This is one survey that Indian IT and BPO workers can relate to.

A new survey done in USA and released today by Men's Health Network and Cephalon, Inc. found that shift workers, people who work non-traditional hours such as overnight shifts, report that these shifts can negatively impact their health, work and well-being.  The survey revealed that the majority of shift workers (79%) believe that they are negatively impacted by their shift work and report issues associated with work productivity, negative emotions, concern about sex life and decreased time spent with family.  Nevertheless, of the 52% of shift workers who want a change in job or hours, most don't think it will be possible in the near future and 44% feel that they will have the same job until they retire. 

The survey results suggested an impact of shift work on people's work productivity, with one in three shift workers reporting having missed work altogether at least once in the past year because they were too tired.  And three in ten surveyed (29%) said that they have dozed off at work in the past month, most of them multiple times, with another 37% saying they've come close. Still, more people surveyed are worried about job security than their own safety. 

In terms of emotional and psychological impact, more than half surveyed reported feeling frustrated (51%) and drained (51%) in the last week, with many others reporting irritability (42%), anxiety (36%) and anger (32%).  Survey respondents also report daily concern for their energy level (47%), weight (43%), and their sex lives (30%).  The average shift worker has not had a meal with their family in two weeks or exercised in 24 days.

Shift work disorder is a recognized medical condition that occurs when an individual's internal sleep-wake clock is not in sync with their work schedule.  Because of this disruption in the body's natural rhythm, people with shift work disorder may struggle to stay awake during their working hours, known as excessive sleepiness, or have trouble sleeping during their sleeping hours, known as insomnia, or both.

Experts estimate that up to 25% of night or rotating shift workers have shift work disorder, which has potential consequences including decreased productivity and trouble focusing, and increased susceptibility to intestinal and heart diseases.  However, the majority of shift workers surveyed (61%) said that they would sooner check in with a doctor about a cold or flu than if they were tired for three months or longer. 

The survey also found that:

- Most shift workers feel behind in their daily responsibilities (55%) and in planning for the future (67%).
- A majority of shift workers (60%) report being left off the invitation list for social events such as birthday parties and weddings.
- It's not just men who are impacted by shift work. More women (47%) than men (36%) who work non-traditional shifts are dissatisfied with their schedules and report negative emotions and psychological effects such as frustration (59% vs. 44%), irritability (50% vs. 35%) and anxiety (41% vs. 31%).