Blog 04 - The Impact of Shift and Night Work on Health Related Quality of Life in Working Women
The Impact of Shift and Night Work on Health Related Quality of Life in Working Women
People and Organizations (Assignment MBA of London Metropolitan University) by Shehani Perera
Shift work, defined as “any work
organization of working hour that differs from the traditional diurnal work
period,” has been recognized as a health related quality of life related factor
in economically active individuals [factors influencing health of workers and
tolerance to shift work, Costa, 2003, p.263-288]. Shift work has the potential
to disrupt family and social life and can intrigue chronic fatigue, sleepiness,
and somatic symptoms because it often goes against the rhythmic timing system
of diurnal humans. Yet shift work is becoming increasingly common in economies
that rely on manufacturing, transportation, retail, service, and hospitality
sectors.
Specifically, the effect of shift
work can be particularly pronounced among women. Since women often have higher
levels of family responsibilities, particularly in East Asian societies, women
involved in shift work may experience greater levels of work family role conflict.
.[Scheduling shift family and health outcomes of shift work and schedule
control, Fenwick, Tausig, 2001;44:1179–1198]. The
level of high responsibilities would create a lesser rest time for women which
affect their health in a negative way. Females also show lower levels of shift
work tolerance and report more fatigue and sleepiness while working in risk
exposed environments. This could lead to various mental health issues as well
as physical issues. In another way fatigue and sleepiness will make conflicts
in their family lives as well.
Apart from shift work, marital
status can also affect the health related quality of life of women. Previous
studies have revealed that married individuals generally show higher quality of
life scores and improved mental and physical health than single individuals.
Since shift work is often
associated with family burdens and complementary duties in women, which in turn
can negatively influence marital relationships, it is worth considering shift
work and marital status concurrently when studying the health related quality
of life of working women.
Conclusion
Night and shift work status were
associated decreased health related quality of life in working women. Trends
were generally maintained regardless of marital status, although the decreases
were particularly pronounced among night shift workers with a spouse.
Therefore, the importance of monitoring women working night or rotating shifts
as these groups may be particularly vulnerable to reduced health related
quality of life.
References
De Cieri, H., Holmes, B., Abbott, J., & Pettit, T. (2005).
Achievements and challenges for work/life balance strategies in Australian
organizations. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16(1),
90-103.
Kim, H., Yu, M., & Hyun, S. S. (2022). Strategies to Improve
Work Attitude and Mental Health of Problem Employees: Focusing on Airline Cabin
Crew. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(2),
768
Akkas, M. A., Hossain, M. I., & Rhaman, S. (2015). Causes and
consequences of work-family conflict (WFC) among the female employees in
Bangladesh: an empirical study. Journal of business and economics, 6(12),
2063-2071
Sheikh, M. A., Ashiq, A., Mehar, M. R., Hasan, A., & Khalid,
M. (2018). Impact of work and home demands on work life balance: Mediating role
of work family conflicts. Pyrex Journal of Business and Finance Management
Research, 4(5), 48-57.
Agreed, According to Byrne (2022), both shift work and marital status significantly influence the health-related quality of life of women in the workforce. The detrimental effects of shift work are observed consistently across different marital statuses, although the impact may be more pronounced among married women working night shifts. Therefore, Abdulhussein & Falah (2022) states that the special attention should be given to monitoring the health and well-being of women engaged in night or rotating shifts, as these groups may be particularly vulnerable to reduced health-related quality of life.
ReplyDeleteStrongly agreed. The remark implies a link between night and shift work and a decline in health-related quality of life among working women. This unfavorable tendency is evident regardless of marital status, albeit the impact appears to be more significant among married night shift employees.
ReplyDeleteThe findings highlight the significance of constantly monitoring the well-being of women who work at night or on rotating shifts, since these women may be more vulnerable to experiencing a reduction in their overall health-related quality of life.
This conclusion underscores the potential health consequences of non-traditional work hours for women and emphasizes the need for interventions to mitigate these impacts and enhance female employees' well-being.
As a woman who has worked night shifts, this research strongly resonates with my own experience. The impact of night and shift work on health-related quality of life is undeniable. The toll it takes on physical well-being, mental health, and overall life satisfaction can't be underestimated.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to note that these trends hold true regardless of marital status. This underscores the universal challenge that night shifts present to women's health and quality of life. In my own experience, I've observed how night shifts can disrupt sleep patterns, lead to exhaustion, and even affect personal relationships due to the unconventional hours.
The article's call for monitoring women working night or rotating shifts is crucial. It's a reminder that our well-being matters and that steps should be taken to address these challenges. As women in the workforce, we often juggle multiple responsibilities, and maintaining good health and quality of life should be a priority.
This article sheds light on the importance of acknowledging the impact of night and shift work on women's lives. It's a validation of the struggles many of us face and a reminder that our health and well-being deserve attention and support.
ReplyDeleteHi Shehani,
I agree with the blog article that shift work can have a negative impact on the health-related quality of life of working women. The article cites several studies that have shown that shift workers are more likely to experience fatigue, sleepiness, and somatic symptoms (physical symptoms that are not caused by any underlying medical condition). They are also more likely to have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with their families and friends.
The article also notes that the impact of shift work can be particularly pronounced among women. This is because women are more likely to have primary responsibility for childcare and household chores, and shift work can make it difficult to balance these responsibilities with work. Additionally, women may be more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness as a result of shift work.
The article concludes by calling for more research on the impact of shift work on the health-related quality of life of working women. This research is important because it can help us to develop strategies to mitigate the negative effects of shift work and improve the health and well-being of working women.
Here are some additional tips for working women who are struggling with the effects of shift work:
Get enough sleep. This may seem obvious, but it is essential for maintaining good health and well-being. If you are having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor.
Eat healthy foods. Eating a healthy diet can help to improve your energy levels and overall health.
Exercise regularly. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
Set boundaries. It is important to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life. This may mean saying no to extra shifts or working late.
Find support. Talk to your family and friends about how you are feeling. They can offer support and understanding.
Seek professional help. If you are struggling to cope with the effects of shift work, talk to your doctor or a therapist. They can help you develop coping strategies and manage your stress levels.
By following these tips, working women can improve their health and well-being despite the challenges of shift work.
According to the the Korea Health Panel The relationship between night and rotating shift work and economically active women's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). According to the study, women who work night and rotating shifts have lower HRQoL than those who work day shifts. This emphasizes the importance of monitoring these women's HRQoL status due to their greater threat to poor HRQoL.(Kim et al., 2016) How does shift work, characterized by non-traditional working hours, impact the health and quality of life of economically active individuals?
ReplyDeleteCertainly. The impact of shift and night work on working women's health-related quality of life is a critical issue that deserves more attention. Employers have a responsibility to prioritize the well-being of their female employees by implementing supportive policies, offering resources for coping with the challenges, and fostering a culture of understanding and flexibility. Good work - Shehani.
ReplyDelete