Dr LeCrone
03-24-2006, 02:09 PM
The demands of shift work are taken for granted today in a society where 25 percent of the workforce performs on a rotating basis.
During the production booms of the ‘40s and ‘50s – before and after World War II – more public awareness was evident of the difficulties of working swing and graveyard shifts. Songs and stories were written, often humorously, about reversed patterns.
By necessity, hospitals, power generating plants, transportation systems, police and fire protection are required to provide 24-hour service. There are chain stores for foods, medicines, etc., which are open all night. Many industries operate 24 hours a day because of manufacturing processes and production demands.
Those of us who have experienced shift work know what kinds of physical and psychological problems accompany these schedules. Not only can it produce stress on the individual, but the whole family also may experience stress as a result of the shift worker’s lifestyle.
Consider these family stressors.
• Scheduling problems. Often shift workers will tell me of difficulties they impose on the family menu planner. Harry, who gets off work at 7 a.m., has been dreaming of tempting spicy Mexican food. But he returns to find his family having a breakfast of bland bacon and eggs. His suggestion for tacos is rather repulsive to them. Fortunately, Harry compromises for huevos rancheros and the whole family is happy.
Harry is then ready for a “night of rest,” but the children are full of energy and ready to start a day filled with noisy play activities. Their mother has learned to reduce the noise by moving all activities away from the room where Harry sleeps and to declare parts of the house off limits until Daddy awakens.
Harry’s wife’s household duties, such as cleaning, washing, ironing, vacuuming, scheduling for repair services, etc., are based on the time that Harry works. She may be doing laundry while watching “Dynasty” and sewing while watching “General Hospital.” If she also is a shift worker, her daily schedule may require additional juggling of home duties.
• Internal clock. For most people the internal clock works best when they work during the day and sleep at night. Speculation indicates that human beings have operated this way since the beginning of time. When these internal clocks are changed or reset, it may produce digestive disturbances, chronic fatigue, irritability and even mood changes.
• Social life. Shift work that interferes least with an individual’s social life is preferable. For industries with 12-hour shifts, a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. routine would be best so that maximum opportunity to interact with family, friends and other segments of society could be achieved.
Next week, I will talk about experiences with families who have performed shift work and have established certain fundamental rules that helped diminish the negative side effects.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1985
During the production booms of the ‘40s and ‘50s – before and after World War II – more public awareness was evident of the difficulties of working swing and graveyard shifts. Songs and stories were written, often humorously, about reversed patterns.
By necessity, hospitals, power generating plants, transportation systems, police and fire protection are required to provide 24-hour service. There are chain stores for foods, medicines, etc., which are open all night. Many industries operate 24 hours a day because of manufacturing processes and production demands.
Those of us who have experienced shift work know what kinds of physical and psychological problems accompany these schedules. Not only can it produce stress on the individual, but the whole family also may experience stress as a result of the shift worker’s lifestyle.
Consider these family stressors.
• Scheduling problems. Often shift workers will tell me of difficulties they impose on the family menu planner. Harry, who gets off work at 7 a.m., has been dreaming of tempting spicy Mexican food. But he returns to find his family having a breakfast of bland bacon and eggs. His suggestion for tacos is rather repulsive to them. Fortunately, Harry compromises for huevos rancheros and the whole family is happy.
Harry is then ready for a “night of rest,” but the children are full of energy and ready to start a day filled with noisy play activities. Their mother has learned to reduce the noise by moving all activities away from the room where Harry sleeps and to declare parts of the house off limits until Daddy awakens.
Harry’s wife’s household duties, such as cleaning, washing, ironing, vacuuming, scheduling for repair services, etc., are based on the time that Harry works. She may be doing laundry while watching “Dynasty” and sewing while watching “General Hospital.” If she also is a shift worker, her daily schedule may require additional juggling of home duties.
• Internal clock. For most people the internal clock works best when they work during the day and sleep at night. Speculation indicates that human beings have operated this way since the beginning of time. When these internal clocks are changed or reset, it may produce digestive disturbances, chronic fatigue, irritability and even mood changes.
• Social life. Shift work that interferes least with an individual’s social life is preferable. For industries with 12-hour shifts, a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. routine would be best so that maximum opportunity to interact with family, friends and other segments of society could be achieved.
Next week, I will talk about experiences with families who have performed shift work and have established certain fundamental rules that helped diminish the negative side effects.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1985