![]() ![]() 17 In addition to organizational-level interventions, the individual should also be equipped with resources, interventions and tools to personally manage their sleep disturbances. To date, the emphasis of research and development of interventions to improve outcomes for shift workers has been on broad, systemic approaches, 13 such as changes to shift scheduling, 14 workplace lighting interventions, 15 scheduled workplace napping, 16 wellness programs and workplace fatigue management programs. Given the widespread adverse impacts of shift work on sleep and health outcomes, as well as the high personal and societal cost of these, there is a compelling need for effective shift work management strategies. 10, 11 Shift work, and the resultant sleep and circadian clock disruption, is also associated with negative consequences to family life, overall lifestyle and motivation. Shift workers are also at greater risk of a range of long-term adverse health consequences such as gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular disease, mood and affective disorders and cancer, 8, 9 as well as an increase in sleepiness and the risk of errors, accidents and injuries. Consequently, shift workers report an increased functional impact of sleep disturbance and misalignment, including impaired alertness/increased sleepiness during wakefulness, 4 – 7 compared to the general population. ![]() In addition, the schedules imposed by shift work often oppose the timing of the internal circadian clock, 3 such that it is misaligned with sleep and wake. The most immediate adverse consequence of shift work and non-standard hours is inadequate sleep (acute and chronic). For individuals working shift work or non-standard hours, increased flexibility assists in accommodating the demands of work, social and family life and allows individuals to shift activities to more convenient times. At a societal level, there is increased productivity and improved provision of necessary services. 2 There are recognized benefits to the flexibility afforded by shift work or non-standard work hours. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growing trend towards flexible work arrangements. 1 In addition to these typical shift types, an increasing number of individuals are engaged in work outside their standard 9 AM–5 PM working hours, due to the increasing demand for workplace flexibility, expanding remote work and diversified communication options. With the advent of a 24-h society, an increasing proportion of individuals are required to work irregular hours, with approximately 20% of western workforces working either night or rotating shift patterns. ![]()
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