Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Graveyard Shift: Faster to the Graveyard...and the Poorhouse?

Employers who think shift work is a profitable bed of roses should think twice according to this article.
Graveyard-shift workers make five times as many serious mistakes and are 20 percent more likely to suffer severe accidents, Circadian found. Those on the overnight shift also have a significantly higher incidence of costly diseases and disorders, costing employers billions. ...Night workers also seem to eat more fatty foods during their 3 a.m. lunches. Obesity and diabetes rates are higher among overnight-shift workers, according to Circadian. All-night workers tend to have heart disorders at rates 40 percent higher than those of workers on dayside shifts.
Higher divorce rate, more stress-related illnesses, higher health care costs.

And just to add insult to injury, the Bush administration is trying to get rid of the 8-hour day.

Life's only a bed of roses if you have time to go to bed.