A night worker is someone who usually works at least 3 hours a day during 'night time'.
By law (The Working Time Regulations 1998), night time is the period between 11pm and 6am.
Some people might call night time 'unsociable hours'.
An organisation can agree a different period of time for night time as long as it:
- is at least 7 hours long
- includes the 5 hours between 12am and 5am
The maximum hours for night workers
Night workers must not work more than 8 hours in a 24-hour period on average. Workers cannot opt out of this limit, including for overtime.
Night workers' average hours are calculated over one of the following reference periods:
- rolling periods of 17 weeks
- successive 17-week periods, if agreed and written in a relevant agreement
- if the worker has worked for fewer than 17 weeks, the period that has passed since they started work
If the work involves special hazards or heavy strain
Night workers must not work more than 8 hours in a 24-hour period if the work involves:
- special hazards
- heavy physical or mental strain
This means they must not use an average when checking their working hours.
How employers must protect night workers
Because of the possible effect on health, safety and wellbeing, employers must offer:
- anyone a health assessment before they become a night worker
- repeat assessments for as long as might be reasonable in the circ*mstances, for example after a change of night to day shift
Although the worker does not have to accept the offer of a health assessment, it's good practice for employers to continue to regularly check with them about their health, safety and wellbeing.
If an employee's health professional says night work is causing them health problems, the employer should offer suitable alternative work where possible.
There are extra restrictions on night working for young workers.
Keeping records of night workers' hours
By law, employers must keep records of night workers' hours to show they either:
- do not work more than an average of 8 hours in any 24-hour period
- never work for more than 8 hours in any 24-hour period if the work involves special hazards, or heavy physical or mental strain
Contact the Acas helpline
If you have any questions about night working time, contact the Acas helpline.
FAQs
I am comfortable with all shifts. Yes, I am okay with night shifts. I am comfortable working during the night. I understand the demands of the role and can adjust my schedule accordingly.
How many hours of sleep is enough for night shift workers? ›
It's important to get at least seven to nine hours of sleep every day. If you're a shift worker, you must make sleep a priority. The following tips can help: Follow bedtime rituals and try to keep a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends and days off from work.
How to reject night shift? ›
How to tell your boss you can't work a shift
- Confirm your schedule. ...
- Ask to have a conversation. ...
- Give as much notice as possible. ...
- Acknowledge your obligation. ...
- Provide a reason. ...
- Plan ahead for your workload. ...
- Offer to make up the time. ...
- Understand the consequences.
Insomnia and other sleep disorders are also common. Many struggle to get adequate sleep, which puts them at higher risk of accidents and injury. The toll on mental health is also potentially steep. Studies have found a strong correlation between overnight work and depression and anxiety.
How do you answer shift availability? ›
Example 6: Shift hours"My schedule is flexible. I can work any shift you need me to."This answer is excellent and straightforward if you apply for a shift job, and you are available at any time. Example 7: Free and ready"I am free and ready to start whenever you need me.
How unhealthy is working night shift? ›
Night shift work increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It disrupts the body's circadian rhythms—the 24-hour internal “clock” that controls when you sleep and wake. Studies have shown that eating at night alters the body's metabolism.
At what age should you stop working night shifts? ›
For ageing employees, night work reduces sleep quality and recovering from demanding shifts takes more time. Based on new research results, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health recommends providing employees over 50 years of age with better opportunities to reduce night shifts and long hours.
Is it worth working night shift? ›
A higher salary: Many companies offer shift differential, or more pay, for working hours outside of the first shift. WSI is not an exception, as most of our clients offer $1-2 more per hour to work overnights. It adds up quickly. $16 extra dollars per day over a 52-week calendar year is more than $4000 in extra salary.
Why is it so hard to work night shift? ›
Working the night shift forces your body to operate on a schedule that goes against its natural circadian rhythms. Most of the time, it's not a good idea to go against what mother nature put in place.
Do I have to respond to my boss on my day off? ›
So to summarize, yes, your boss can fire you for not answering your phone on your day off. Some employers are respectful of employees' time off. Others may abuse at-will employment laws and harass you consistently on your days off. In fact, they may consider it part of your job.
Sleep schedules
| Normal sleep time for shift: | Evening Shift (5 pm - 1 am) | Night Shift (11 pm - 7 am) |
|---|
| Sleep time - Night 1 of Transition: | 3 am - 11am | 9 am - 5 pm |
| Sleep time - Night 2 of Transition: | 5 am - 1 pm | |
| Sleep time - Night 3 of Transition: | 7 am - 3pm | |
| Sleep time - Night 1 of New Shift | 8 am - 4 pm | 9 am - 5 pm |
There are a couple of things you need to address right from the start.
- Understand the Health Risks and Strategize Accordingly. ...
- Get Family and Friends on Board. ...
- Adjust Your Sleep Pattern. ...
- Fuel Your Body and Mind. ...
- If Allowed Naps, Take Them. ...
- Give Yourself a Boost With Healthy Foods. ...
- Consider Alternatives to Driving.
Therefore, it seems that people with a relatively long history of night shift work report more dry eye signs and symptoms compared to subjects with a negative history.
Why am I so tired working night shift? ›
At night, the circadian pacemaker releases the sleep hormone melatonin from the pineal gland, which causes the body to feel less alert and raises the desire to sleep. Night shifts cause the body to battle against its natural rhythms by trying to be alert when programmed to be sleeping.
Why do you prefer to work night shift? ›
Working the night shift allows parents to focus more attentively on the needs of the family. While the day shift has one returning to the family as busy schedules pull in many extra-curricular directions and the rush of dinner, homework, and bedtime beckons, working the night shift allows for a more relaxed evening.
What does willing to work in shifts mean? ›
to work in shifts: to work in turns, to work at different times on different days, to not work from 9-5 idiom. a (work) shift: a (work) day, turn, set of hours, period of time noun. to shift: to move, to change position, to displace verb.
What do you wish in night shift? ›
But the right greeting would be “good evening” before midnight and “good morning” after midnight. The parting phrase should be “Have a great day” or “good day”.
How do you explain night shift? ›
If a business is open 24/7, the night shift usually refers to a shift that starts between 10:00 p.m. and midnight, and ends between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. For businesses that are open for limited hours, the night shift is the final shift before the business closes.
