Long shifts without breaks is detrimental

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Workplace Safety
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Extended work shifts are prevalent across various industries.
• Lack of breaks during long working hours can impact employee well-being.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests a normalization of foregoing basic needs during shifts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and impact of working long shifts without breaks.
• To understand employee experiences regarding food, hydration, and restroom access during extended work periods.
• To identify potential risks associated with inadequate breaks in demanding work environments.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of employee self-reported experiences.
• Surveys on shift length, break frequency, and unmet basic needs.
• Case studies from different occupational sectors.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of workers report shifts exceeding 12 hours without adequate breaks.
• Many workers forgo meals, hydration, and restroom use due to time constraints or work pressure.
• Experiences of prolonged work without basic needs are commonly reported across diverse job roles.

Conclusions:

• Working long shifts without sufficient breaks is a widespread issue.
• The practice of neglecting basic physiological needs during work poses health risks.
• Further research is needed to address systemic issues contributing to inadequate break provisions in the workplace.