Night workers keep essential industries running, from healthcare and logistics to manufacturing and infrastructure. But while shift work is vital to a 24-hour economy, it also comes with serious risks to safety, wellbeing and business performance.

That was the focus of our recent webinar with Night Club and TimeShifter, where experts explored the impact of sleep disruption on shift workers and what employers can do to better support them.

Dr Steven Lockley, Chief Scientist at TimeShifter, explained that shift work is not just a sleep issue - it is a circadian issue. The body’s internal clock regulates sleep, alertness, mood and performance, and when people work against it, the effects can be significant. Night shifts are linked to increased accident risk, poorer concentration, long-term health issues and reduced productivity.

The webinar also highlighted the scale of the challenge. Sleep disruption is estimated to cost the UK economy £50 billion each year through absenteeism, turnover, lost productivity and workplace accidents. For employers, that makes fatigue management both a wellbeing priority and a business issue.

Ben Lumley of Night Club shared how education can help workers better understand and manage the effects of shift work. Through practical, evidence-based sessions delivered directly in workplaces, Night Club helps shift workers improve sleep habits, manage light exposure, use caffeine more effectively and support their mental wellbeing.

Alongside education, personalised tools can also make a difference. TimeShifter’s app gives workers tailored guidance based on their individual shift patterns, helping them manage sleep, naps, caffeine and light exposure more effectively.

The webinar also explored the role of leadership. Catherine Muirden, an experienced people and culture leader, spoke about how night workers can often become a forgotten workforce. She stressed that supporting shift workers is not just an HR or health and safety responsibility - it requires a wider organisational commitment. Listening to workers, improving conditions and recognising their needs can have a positive impact on engagement, retention and performance.

One message came through clearly from all speakers: employers need to take shift work seriously. Better support for night workers can improve safety, reduce fatigue and create healthier, more productive workplaces.

If your organisation relies on shift workers, now is the time to put sleep and fatigue firmly on the agenda.

👉 Register to attend The Health and Safety Event HERE.