A stress management module for shift workers

Abstract

Many people work shifts because of socio-economic considerations and for them stopping shift work is not a realistic option. Shift work can have a negative impact on the health and well being of workers. The reason for this is that in every individual's body there are many rhythms/cycles, which are designed for daytime work. When these rhythms are disrupted as in nightime work, they need time to adjust so that they may all function as one. These rhythms do not adjust instantaneously; therefore the impact on the body is negative. This in turn, leads to a reduction in performance attentiveness, as well as an increase in the risk of accidents and injuries. Most shift workers do not know how to adjust their lifestyle to minimise the negative effects of working around the clock as companies do not provide the required programmes for their well being, thus increasing the chance of suffering from stress. If this is so, then, not only will the well being of the individual or employee be disrupted, but so too will productivity, as well as the profits of the business. This therefore means that shift work could in the end diminish the economic gain it was designed to create. "A tailor-made shift system should be a compromise between the employer's goals, the wishes of employees, and ergonomic recommendations for the design of shift systems" (Knauth, 1997:21). According to Ahasan (2002:09): "Currently there is little information available in the literature that supports the effective design of shift schedules, which offer effective productivity levels, while maintaining the health and safety of shift workers", It therefore has to be realised that there is no ideal shift system, which is going to fully meet an organisations needs, as well as the well being, social and family needs of each and every single employee within the organisation. Employers and employees can work together in order to learn how to identify and control shift work hazards. Also, employees need to learn how to cope better with the demands of their work schedule. Due to the many disruptions encountered in their personal life, social life and physical well being, the existence of stressrelated illnesses is increased in shift workers. Employers may pick up signs of stress when the following factors are monitored on a regular basis, as well as investigated if and when variances occur: