Keep Your Night Shift Happy and Safe

It’s not easy to be at work during those hours when all of the elements are in place for a good night’s sleep. It’s no wonder night shift work is riskier than day shift—statistically about 30 percent more. And not surprisingly, it’s about 5 percent less productive. Fatigue, feelings of isolation and other factors can contribute to safety and production issues.

So, why do businesses insist on employing people to work in the middle of the night? Many industries need a night shift to function effectively. Think about hospital workers, law enforcement and all of those businesses with automated machinery that must be attended to around the clock. Over 18 percent of all industries engage a night shift. And while companies can do little to change their workers’ body clocks, they can take steps to enhance safety, improve morale and increase productivity.

The hazards of night shift:

  • This is the biggest safety factor on the night shift. Night shift workers must cope with the natural fatigue caused by the circadian rhythm. Bodies slow down at night, which means alertness and metabolism are at a low point during critical working hours. Those operating sophisticated (and dangerous) machinery are at high risk for injury.
  • There is almost no natural light on the night shift. Without it, there is a condition—Seasonal Affective Disorder—which carries with it the side effect of being tired. Another issue with darkness is improper lighting which can create several safety issues.
  • With fewer workers in the plant, monitoring them can be challenging. Workers can be spread over a large area with some even working alone.

Help for the late night workers:

  • Give them a break. Studies have shown when critical care nurses were allowed to nap during their breaks, they reported less fatigue and a noticeable increase in alertness. According to OSHA, research also indicates that shorter, more frequent breaks can reduce the risks of accidents.
  • Shine a light on them. Good lighting and proper ventilation help shift workers adjust to their changing sleep patterns. It also helps create a safer work environment.
  • Show them you care. If senior executives visit the night shift regularly, they can personally make company announcements, answer questions and offer encouragement. When an employee has met a significant goal or reached a milestone, the executive can present them with a gift at this time. Consider giving night employees the option of attending your company’s evening parties and other work-related evening events.

Taking these actions can mitigate the feelings of isolation many on the night shift experience, and they will contribute to the safety and happiness of these valuable workers.

Find the best talent for all shifts

Convincing today’s top candidates your company is their best choice is more critical than ever. A culture of encouragement, positive work environment and appreciation of a job well done will go a long way to setting you apart.  Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. Contact us today  an request a consultation.

April Showers (Better Training) Bring May Flowers (A Better Business)

It’s a sobering and costly statistic for any business. About 33 percent of employees exit their companies—voluntarily or involuntarily—before they have completed their first year. And 22 percent of those are gone within the first six weeks.

It’s estimated that losing employees in that first year can cost your company two to three times their salary, and that doesn’t include the toll it takes on morale, your business requirements, and the lost opportunity to have fresh talent on your team.

What’s the answer? A good onboarding training system, along with continuing education, can help any organization get their newest workers up to speed and increase their levels of retention. Here are tips to help you train and retain more successfully.

Teach them early and thoroughly

Training starts immediately—maybe sooner. Before they clock in for their first day of work, new employees should know your company’s goals and values. Your mission statement should also be part of their pre-employment training. Helping them understand and develop respect for your company culture is a vital part of the onboarding process.

From day one, show your new employees they are in an environment that focuses on learning. Make sure they have easy access to training materials and resources. And let them know the chains of communication are always open at all levels.

Add value with cross-training

Help your employees (and your business) by cross-training them in several areas of the company. Workers with multiple skill sets can move effortlessly among the departments of your workplace and provide your managers with options when workers in one area become overburdened. Cross-trained employees tend to be more engaged in their jobs because of the variety of tasks they perform each week.

Set training goals and reward success

Is your training program working? It’s hard to know unless you’ve set goals—for each individual, department and throughout the company—that can gauge its success. Set your training goals for these three areas and you’ll have a useful tool for measuring what is and isn’t working.

It’s also helpful to show your workers you are concerned about them by rewarding their growth. Developing a system of recognition will give them an incentive to learn. The rewards can be anything you choose—as long as they are standardized throughout the company—and could even have monetary value.

Are you looking for employees that will add value to your team?

Finding good employees and properly training them is key to your company’s future. Convincing today’s top candidates your company is their best choice is more critical than ever. A culture that includes onboard training and ongoing education will go a long way to setting you apart. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. Contact us today  or request a consultation.