“The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about four percent of American adults are rotating shift workers. There are several reasons for shiftwork.
The major reason is that modern technology has made it possible to do many activities at any time of the day or night. This “24-hour society” requires that important services be provided at all times. Important critical services and infrastructure includes public safety, public utilities, and our oil and gas industry.
Many manufacturing industries must operate 24 hours per day because the production process is much longer than 8 hours and must be performed continuously.
Historically, dedicated day, evening, and graveyard shifts were used to perform these jobs. Rotating schedules were developed and are now more often used, because they are considered fairer to all employees. Everybody “on shift work” takes their turn at both the popular and unpopular shifts.
Reasons given by employees for choosing shiftwork include better pay, more available time during the day for child care, more daylight hours for recreation, and “long change” or consecutive days off. Some employees say they prefer the night shifts because it is quieter and there are fewer supervisors.
Many employees have told me they did not choose shiftwork, but they do it because it’s required of the job. Most shift employees say the downside of rotating shift is always trying to get used to changing work times, but predictable schedule, proper nutrition, sleep routine, and exercise, make shift work more manageable.
Shift work is not easy, but it is without a doubt one of the many collective talents and experiences here at Delek that defines us as an organization, both in the workplace and in our communities.”
Christopher Reed – Director of Employee Strategy Delek US