The Effects of Shift Work on The Employees and Their Families - Report Example

The Effects of Shift Work on Their Employees and Families By You Your Academic Organization Here Your Here Here The Effects of Shift Work on Their Employees and Families Introduction In today’s difficult working environments, with global competition on the rise and companies struggling to find the best methods to succeed in their particular industries, many employees are subject to shift work (especially in production environments) to assist in meeting company demands. Shift work generally entails working 8-12 hour rotations at the workplace on somewhat sporadic days of the week. For instance, an employee may work from 7am until 7pm on Monday and be forced to work another such 12-hour “shift” for a period of, perhaps, seven additional days consecutively. Why, however, point out the nature of shift work in such detail? When employees work these dramatically difficult hours for the sake of industry, it tends to put constant stress on the household, including the domestic marriage and, when applicable, the children as well. It is important to highlight that shift work not only affects the industrial worker, it also impacts individuals in law enforcement and various other forms of employment. Hence, problems in the home with extended shift working and rotational schedules can be cited as a widespread issue in today’s society. Shift workers and their family members experience significant domestic complications as a direct result of shift work, negatively impacting the quality of life for many households. Issues of Health and Well-Being It is relatively common knowledge that the average person requires six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, somewhat consistently, in order to function at their fullest potential. This includes issues of a well-adjusted metabolism, a positive immune response, and even mental health and well-being (Weiten & Lloyd, 2005). Oftentimes, when an individual works long shifts throughout the average workweek, the demands of the household make it virtually impossible to find quality time and relaxation after a difficult work day. In many instances, in households with younger children and increased family obligations, six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is next to impossible to achieve. Studies have suggested that sleep deprivation is often linked to the difficulties of adjusting to shift work, with larger health outcomes including depression and increased anxiety (Morris & Maisto, 2005). All of these health-related issues impact the family when tensions run high within the household or when health matters require attention and medical expenses increase. Businesses, today, put a great deal of demands and stress on their employees as they drive them to assist in building higher productivity and increased profitability. When an already-stressed and concerned shift worker is experiencing difficulties due to improper sleep patterns caused by shift complications, they are less productive and more apt to make mistakes on the job. This can strain family relationships in the event that a relative or parent is under constant worry that they will lose their position due to management’s perceptions of employee incompetence. Worries within the household, in relation to projecting future budgets and bill payments, can have a trickle-down effect, which impacts the mental well-being of all those in the household. Relationship Issues Maintaining a quality marriage and interactive relationship with children and members of the household can often be difficult when facing family members working complicated shift rotations. Many need only to look at the rather extensive efforts of the media and associated network companies to witness a strong social connection with promoting family togetherness and camaraderie as a tool of enhanced domestic living. However, the realities of shift work often prevent this from occurring in the American household, which can seriously impact the stability of various interpersonal relationships in the family. In matters of police work, where the realities of authority can create power struggles in the household (Haines, 2003), job-related stress can spill over into the family in this fashion. For instance, minor issues such as how to spend the weekend can meet with a clash of personalities who are already frustrated by ongoing schedule conflicts and an inability to coordinate family life based on unpredictable or difficult shift work. While many may think of shift work complications to only include those incurred in the form of, perhaps, exposure to dangerous chemicals in an industrial environment, the aforementioned research suggests that it can be detrimental to the mental health of the family as well. Physical Effects Irregular menstrual cycles, spontaneous abortion, delayed fetal development, and even menstrual pains were cited as some of the more complicated problems associated with women and shift work (OHCOW, 2006). Men, in similar form, have been known to have increased fatigue and difficulty concentrating (Morris & Maisto). Within the household, the satisfaction levels of family members in the event of the arrival of a new child would be considerably high. However, when extensive shift work impacts the fetal formation of the developing child or difficulty in concentration accidently causes household tragedy, the physical effects of shift work on the family environment is extensive. Increased hostility is cited as a common after-effect of shift work when sleep deprivation and fatigue are outcomes of maintaining a quality job (Morris & Maisto). With the growing social recognition of increased instances of domestic abuse and household violence, there can be a connection with complicated shift work and decreased self-control when faced with issues in the domestic environment. Industrial Safety From a safety perspective, this largely impacts the employee only, however it is of concern to the family as well. Depending on the nature of the particular job environment, there will either significant or small-scale opportunity for safety worries and concerns when difficult shifts are required to sustain the business’ requirements. In the restaurant industry, for instance, a fatigued server or kitchen prep attendant could surely cause injury to themselves, to customers, or even to the reputation of the business if they are increasingly hostile or unable to concentrate on their routine tasks. Though many companies try to create policies within the business which protect the safety of workers, such as identifying slip and trips hazards, occupational hazards persist for workers on extended shifts when their focus becomes disconnected. Social Events Difficult scheduling conflicts, especially in households where one partner works the night shift and another during a 12-hour day, can create havoc with social calendars and expectations. In many instances, couples have to cancel plans at the last minute (which are sometimes planned weeks in advance) due to a last-minute babysitter phone call or a health crisis with a sick child. Hence, there is little room for spontaneity in the shift-worker household or the assurance that a previously-planned activity will be allowed to be celebrated (Gregoris, 2004). As previously discussed, the potential mental health issues which stem from shift work complications can be connected to the delay of much-needed social activity and celebration. When motivation is decreased due to the frustrating demands of shift work, a positive reward is necessary to boost the employee’s lust for living and build a positive outlook (Weiten & Lloyd). Missed social events due to schedule issues or forced overtime shifts can greatly diminish motivation to perform to company or organizational demands, leaving the family and the firm with a potentially depressed or unmotivated family member. Friends Though the ability to maintain friendships is not impossible due to shift work, maintaining a quality friendship relationship when time and schedule issues are realities can be difficult. Many adults turn to their support networks, usually consisting of close friends, to validate their own sense of self-worth and to build self-confidence (Morris & Maisto). However, when the demands of shift work create an inability to offer friendship and support, the end result can be a depressed individual who experiences increased anxiety and perceptions of diminished self value. Though making friends on the job often occurs in an environment where developing close connections with colleagues is virtually unavoidable, the work environment is not the most appropriate for validating self-worth and building confidence, as these efforts often take elongated periods of time to achieve. Thus, the demands of the job supersede the social needs of the employee, which further serve to break down the motivation of the employee. Conclusion It is clear that shift work can negatively impact an employee and their families through a series of outcomes such as health issues, relationship issues, physical effects and the realities and worries of industrial safety. At the same time, social events and the distancing of friends due to shift complications only serve to enhance issues of depression, anxiety, or decreased motivation after the shift work has been completed. This complicates the stability of the modern household, creates mental health crises, and even impacts the reputation and success of the business. Households are complicated when worries or the realities of job stresses due to shift work and the inability to coordinate much-required recreational and interpersonal relationships with family members. Businesses are taking action to enhance the needs of the employees, which will only serve to benefit the family as well and provide shift workers with a better environment where scheduling may become a more flexible issue. References Gregoris, Antoine. (2003). ‘Work Schedule Conflicts: Can Anyone Cope?’ Wall Street Journal. Vol. 33, Iss. 2: A.1. Haines, Corey. (2003). “Police Stress and the Effects on the Family”. E.M.U. School of Police Staff and Command. Madison Heights, MI. Retrieved November 21, 2007 http://www.emich.edu/cerns/downloads/papers/PoliceStaff/Shift%20Work,%20%20Stress,%20%20Wellness/Police%20Stress%20and%20the%20Effects%20on%20the%20Family.pdf Morris, C. & Maisto, A. (2005). Psychology: An Introduction. 12th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall: 102-104. OHCOW. (2006). “Shift Work: Health Effects and Solutions”. Occupational Health Clinics For Ontario Workers, Inc. Retrieved November 21, 2007 from http://www.ohcow.on.ca/resources/handbooks/shiftwork/shiftwork.pdf Weiten, W. & Lloyd, M. (2005). Psychology Applied to Modern Life. Thomson Wadsworth: 88. Read More