Working 12-hour shifts can be exhausting for employees, so it’s important that you ensure your business encourages a considered approach to working long shifts to protect employees. Often 12-hour shifts are completed by night workers in the UK, working overnight to complete packing, cleaning, loading, and mechanical work – but other work can also be completed during a 12-hour shift so the nature of the work and the time it’s completed can vary significantly.
No matter if it’s a 12-hour day shift or night shift, long shifts are notorious for causing a range of mental and physical health issues if your employees don’t take the proper precautions and care for themselves. Without quality sleep between shifts, for example, sleep deprivation can ensue which is known to affect mental health and a worker’s physical abilities. Your immune system can also be weakened by poor rest, so it’s important that you remind workers to take care of themselves properly. This is in their best interests and the interests of your business to boot – so you have every reason to ensure your workers are spending time caring for themselves both in and out of work.
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Are 12-Hour Shifts Legal?
Many people wonder whether 12-hour shifts are even legal – and the answer is simple: yes. They might take their toll on an employee and many people might avoid jobs where 12-hour shifts are necessary, but they’re perfectly legal so long as specific regulations are followed to protect workers from employers exploiting them with heavy workloads and unrealistic working practices.
Healthcare now follows stricter guidelines to protect medical staff from working long days without proper rest. A NHS nurse can’t work two 12-hour shifts in a row without an 11-hour rest period.
Some shifts can’t be 12 hours, however. HGV drivers can’t drive for more than 9 hours in one day, but can be extended to 10 hours twice a week so long as they don’t drive for more than 4.5 hours at a time. 12-hour shifts in this profession are not legal, therefore. But in most other cases they are.
What Is The European Working Time Directive (EWTD)?
The European Working Time Directive still applies in the UK under the Working Time Regulations 1988. These regulations ensure the following for employees:
- The working week cannot average more than 48 hour
- There must be a day off each week
- There must be 11 hours of rest in a 24-hour period
- There must be a break in the working day if it is longer than 6 hours
- Maximum of 4 night shifts per week with a minimum of 46 hours rest after 3 or 4 sets of nights
- Maximum shift length of 13 hours
This is important for all employers and employees to know. Share this with co workers and staff members who may not be aware of these regulations.
So What Is The Problem With 12-Hour Shifts?
Although 12-hour shifts are allowed under the Working Time Regulations, there are still plenty of people who argue that working for 12 hours is too much and that it can have a real impact on a person’s health.
Obviously as a business owner it’s your call. If 12-hour shifts are necessary for your business to complete its operations properly then so be it – but you might want to consider if this can’t be split into more manageable shifts to protect workers and their health.
12-hour shifts can take their toll on an employee and you may be restricting your talent pool to only those who are willing to work for 12 hours straight. By being a flexible employer you might attract new talent who can transform your business.
In some industries, 12-hour shifts are unavoidable, so when that’s the case it’s important that you care for your employees properly and encourage them to take care of themselves. Below are some ideas to share with your employees.
Advice For Surviving A 12-Hour Shift
Below we’ll share some of the top tips for employees for surviving a 12-hour shift – it’s important that as an employer you share this information with your workers to protect them from issues associated with working such a lengthy shift.
Get Enough Sleep
This may seem very obvious, but when you are working 12-hour shifts, it’s important that you plan your sleep schedule around them. Remember that 8 hours of sleep is ideal, but 6 hours will also do if you’re struggling to find time for 8 hours. The quality of your sleep is also just as important as the length of your sleep, so ensure that you’re sleeping in a quiet environment with no disturbances if possible.
Your body likes to get into a pattern of what it is doing in the day – it’s called a circadian rhythm. It expects to be awake at certain times and asleep at others and it can be pretty accurate at working those times out. Shift work messes with that and you have to try your best to support it. You may find yourself exhausted physically but unable to fall asleep. Make sure you do the right sleep preparation. Don’t put TV’s on in the bedroom. Make sure the sunlight is as blocked out as it can be, so that it feels like night. Try not to deal with other stressful issues just before bed. Warn friendly neighbours and your family to try and stay quieter for you.
Being well-rested will help you maintain a positive attitude during your shift, and getting enough sleep also plays an integral role in your general health.
Well-rested employees are productive employees so it’s important that you encourage proper rest for your workers.
Stretch Regularly
If you have a job, such as packing, where you sit in one position for the majority of your shift and perform the same movements over and over again, you need to prioritise stretching! Stretching will prevent any muscle cramps and prevent long-term muscular issues.
Ensure that you stretch your neck, hands and back if you are spending a lot of time in a seated position. You should try stretching every few hours if possible. After every stretching session, you should feel a little boost of energy as you re-energise your muscles. The long-term benefits of stretching are truly incredible. There are lots of apps now-a-days to help guide you through effective stretches and even remind you to do so.
As a business owner, you could implement stretching sessions with your team to encourage them to stay active during their shifts, especially if they’re in the same position for long periods of time.
Prepare Ahead Of Time
Preparation is so important when it comes to working long shifts. Organise as much as possible the night before by:
- Ironing your work uniform
- Packing your bag
- Making your lunch
- Tidying your home
- Planning your breakfast
This way, getting ready for work will be a breeze, and you won’t leave in a rush or feel stressed as you’re getting ready for work. Having everything organised the night before will bring peace and orderliness to your routine.
12-hour shifts mean your employees have less time at home to get themselves ready for the next day. Remind them of the importance of getting organised so they start the day right before their next shift and keep their stress levels to a minimum.
Prioritise Healthy Eating
One of the worst feelings is when you forget to bring lunch to work. Some workspaces do not offer catering services and may not have any affordable restaurants or cafes nearby. Ensure that you bring a healthy, packed lunch into work each day. Remember snacks too. Such a long shift will inevitably lead to snacking, so make sure you have healthy snacks packed to prevent you from grabby convenient, unhealthy food whilst at work.
Try and get all the food groups into this meal so that you know that you’re getting all the nutrients you need and are prioritising your health. Going hungry on shift could cause fatigue over such a long time.
Choosing the right food is of particular importance as you can make unhealthy choices when you are doing shift work and working for such long hours. Get prepared with some healthy options for food whilst you’re working.
It can be a great idea as a business owner to provide your workers with the opportunity to purchase healthy snacks and lunches at work. Consult with your workforce to see if a vending machine stocked with affordable, healthy snacks would be appreciated at your workplace. Looking after your employee’s well being is important, and healthy food options is one of the best things you can do as an employer to support your employees.
Take Breaks Wisely
If you can, try and take your lunch break as late as possible. That way, when you return from your break, you won’t have much longer left to go on your shift. If you take your lunch break early, it can really drag out the day and make your shift feel much longer than it really is.
When on your break, prioritise the things you need to get done before allowing yourself time to relax and recharge, too. Ensure that you reply to any urgent messages on your phone, get enough to eat, and take a few minutes to relax outside of the work environment. You could even go for a walk if you feel you need the fresh air to refresh yourself and get yourself ready to work again when you return.
Depending upon how close your car is or if there is a quiet room, the opinion on ‘power naps’ is changing. Many now suggest that a short 15-20 minute doze may well help perk you up!
Employers should encourage their workers to take regular breaks and make the most of the breaks they take to fully recharge.
Stay Hydrated
Not drinking enough water during your shift could lead to dehydration and fatigue. If you battle to remember to drink water, set reminders on your phone and buy yourself an aluminium water bottle so that you always have cold water to hand. Give yourself water drinking goals throughout the day and increase them as you reach them.
You can help here as an employer, too. By providing employees with access to cold refreshing water you can help them replenish their water bottles (and energy levels) with ease.
Keep Busy During Quieter Periods
Depending on what type of job you have, you may find yourself with some time to spare. The trick to making a work day go quicker during these quiet moments is simple: stay busy. Bring a book or other form of entertainment if you can, or else find tasks to stay busy. Cleaning key areas, tidying your personal workspace, or completing admin tasks can all ensure you’re busy during your work day when you face quieter periods.
Employers would do well to provide additional tasks for workers to ensure they aren’t bored at work and facing long hours with little to do. If you’re not present during all shifts, then this master list of tasks can be a great way to make sure employees are busy and completing meaningful work.
Work Towards A Goal
In the midst of a twelve-hour shift, you may begin to feel very demotivated and question the reasoning for you taking on such long hours. Ensure that you have a goal in mind and remind yourself of it when you begin to feel demotivated. This goal could be simply paying the rent or gaining industry experience so that you can get your dream job in the future. Whatever it is, keep it in the front of your mind, and it will make getting through your shift much easier.
As an employer it’s important to remember that your workers are all here for different reasons – and not all of them will be to work for you forever. Many will have dreams outside of your workspace. The best employers are those who encourage their employees to get the most out of their time with them and who actively support their employees in chasing their dreams and living the life they want. Getting to know your employees and what motivates them to do what they do can be a great way to ensure maximum productivity whilst they’re with you.
Take Healthy Supplements If Required
While coffee and caffeine may be tempting sources of energy, they usually give you a quick spike and then will leave you feeling drained the rest of your shift. Opinions vary markedly on health supplements but if you know you are missing out on an area because of your shift work you may wish to discuss it further with a healthcare professional. Speak to your doctor and see what they recommend for you.
As a business owner you should encourage your employees to take care of themselves properly to prevent health issues down the line which could affect them and your business.
Be Mindful Of Rest Away From Work
You may have an aim to make as much money as possible, but you should not sacrifice your health. Don’t take on more 12-hour shifts than you can realistically handle, and speak to your employer if you are struggling to keep up with your current shifts and workload. In the UK, you are only legally allowed to 48 hour weeks on average over a 17 week period, which might sound complicated but it essentially means you can only work 4 12-hour shifts in a row in a week period before needing a rest period. This advice is mostly in place because of health reasons, so take this seriously…especially if you are working multiple jobs. Your health should always come first. For more information on ‘how many 12 hour shifts can I work in a row‘ see our guide.
As a business owner it’s your job to schedule shifts in a thoughtful manner to protect your workers. Make sure they have the proper opportunity for rest away from work – but more importantly than that – make sure they have the opportunity for a life away from work. Give them periods of time where they can pursue hobbies and spend time with loved ones uninterrupted. If that looks like 4 12-hour shifts followed by 3 days off, then you should consider how you can meet your business needs whilst giving your employees the opportunity for an improved quality of life outside of work.
How To Survive Working 12-Hour Shifts: Final Thoughts
12-hour shifts don’t have to be a burden on employees as they were once seen as. Done properly, they can be an excellent way to provide work-life balance and support workers in completing their work earlier in the week to then enjoy time away from work to recharge before they return.
Follow our guide today as an employee – and share this as an employer – and 12-hour shifts can be enjoyable, productive and worthwhile for businesses and employees alike.
