The impact of a change in rotating shift schedules: A comparison of the effects of 8, 10 and 14 h work shifts

Abstract

A current United States trend in alternative work schedules is to increase the length of the workday while decreasing the number of days in the work week. Referred to as compressed work schedules (CWS), they are popular amongst shiftworkers although the longer work shifts may be associated with increased fatigue and may create additional risk of accidents and health problems in the workplace. The specific aim of the current study is to evaluate a CWS to better understand its influence on the sleep and fatigue of shiftworkers. A 10 h day/14 h night rotating CWS was introduced to a fire department to replace an 8 h, three shift rotating schedule. This study is comprised of an assessment of a 10 h day/14 h night rotating CWS and an evaluation of the impact of a change in work schedules, comparing 8 h shifts to the extended work periods. The results of the current study revealed no significant differences between the compressed and non-compressed work schedules. Subjective measures of sleepiness and mood were shown to increase over the course of the extended work shifts. Despite the increase, the CWS is deemed acceptable because it did not negatively impact on the workers who participated to a greater extent than when they worked on the non-compressed schedule. Relevance to industry Approximately twenty present of all United States workers are employed on some form of shiftwork. Previous research has demonstrated that negative outcomes may be associated with shiftwork, especially nightwork. The current study aims to evaluate a compressed work schedule, one that may minimize the deleterious impact of night and shiftwork.