International Shift Worker Sunday: Songs That Capture the Struggles and Spirit of Working Odd Hours
- Dylanna Fisher
- Nov 24, 2024
- 5 min read
Today is International Shift Worker Sunday. Let’s dive into shift work and some songs to make your shift go before you know it.
Shift work isn’t merely a job—it’s a lifestyle with unique challenges, health implications, sacrifices, and relentless demands. For millions worldwide, working unconventional hours means navigating exhaustion. They miss family time. They grind through days and nights when most are resting. This is the life of a shift worker: unyielding, often misunderstood, and yet considered critically essential.
Today, on International Shift Worker Sunday, we shine a light on the people who keep the world turning during the graveyard shifts, early mornings, and weekend hours.
What is Shift Work?
According to the Sleep Foundation, “Shift work refers to any work schedule that falls outside the hours of 7 am and 6 pm. Shift work can include evening, night, and early morning shifts and fixed or rotating schedules. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 16% of wage and salary employees follow shift work schedules. This includes the 6% who work evening shifts and 4% who work night shifts. “
Shift work refers to employment practices that keep businesses and services running continuously. It involves dividing the day into set periods during which separate groups of workers perform their duties. This system is common in industries that require 24/7 operations, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, public safety, and more.
Indeed, the career guide explains shiftwork: “Shift work is a work schedule that is performed in rotations and for extended hours. For example, while some employees might fill a role during the day, others might work night or early morning shifts. In certain cases, employees may work various eight-hour shifts throughout the week. Others might work all their hours three days a week and have the next four days off. “
Shift schedules vary widely and can include:
Shift Lengths: Shifts can range from 8 to 12 hours, depending on the industry.
Split Shifts: Workers may perform their duties in two separate shifts during the day, such as working from 8 AM to 12 PM, taking a break, and then resuming from 4 PM to 8 PM.
Fixed Shifts: These shifts follow a consistent pattern each week, providing a predictable schedule with limited exceptions like overtime or special holidays.
Rotating Shifts: Workers rotate through different scheduled hours over set intervals to balance less desirable shifts across a group.
On-Call Shifts: Employees stay on standby and must be ready to work if called, often with a requirement to arrive within a set time frame.
Who works shiftwork?
Healthcare: Doctors, nurses, EMTs, and caregivers.
Public Safety: Police officers, firefighters, and security personnel.
Transportation: Bus and train operators, airline staff, and logistics workers.
Service and Retail: Hospitality staff, customer service representatives, and retail clerks.
Manufacturing and Utilities: Factory workers, miners, and power plant operators.
IT and Telecommunications: Data center staff, customer support agents, and broadcast operators.
In April 2022, a snapshot of shift workers in Canada from Statistics Canada revealed that 918,000 people, or 4.8% of workers aged 15 to 69, typically worked a regular evening shift or regular evening hours. The proportion of workers who usually work during these hours was significantly higher in the accommodation and food services industry (21.8%). This industry represented a quarter (24.4%) of all workers who typically work in the evenings. Other sectors with above-average rates of evening work included business, building, and other support services (8.4%), arts and entertainment (8.0%), retail trade (7.3%), manufacturing (6.3%), and health care and social assistance (6.0%).
What are some of the impacts of Shiftwork?
Shift work requires employees to work outside traditional 9-to-5 hours and can significantly impact their physical, mental, and social well-being. Irregular hours disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythms. This disruption leads to sleep disturbances and fatigue. It also increases risks of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal issues.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety explains, “Shift workers, especially those who work night shifts, must adhere to a schedule that is not considered ‘natural.’ Frequently changing schedules can disrupt the circadian rhythm (the body’s 24-hour cycle). They can lead to sleep deprivation. These changes may result in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, these changes can aggravate existing health problems and interfere with family and social life.”
Mental health can also suffer. There are heightened risks of anxiety, depression, and burnout. These arise due to the challenges of adjusting to shifting schedules. Socially, shift workers often face isolation as their schedules may limit time with family and friends, potentially straining relationships.
Shift work is demanding. It can impair job performance and safety. This increases the likelihood of errors and workplace accidents. Employers and employees gain from measures to mitigate these effects. These measures include promoting healthy sleep habits. Ergonomic scheduling is another measure. Employees should also have access to mental health support.
Songs That Celebrate and Commiserate with Shift Workers
Many artists have captured the grind and exhaustion of shift work in their music. Notable examples include George Strait, Dolly Parton, and The Lonesome 4-40 Express. Others like Tommy Johansson, Tyler Ruef, and The Drowns also contribute. Whether you’re clocking in for an overnight shift or working long hours through a weekend, these songs offer empathy.
Music can remind you that you’re not alone in the struggle, from country tunes to soulful anthems and rock ballads. Let’s turn up the volume and appreciate music encapsulating the hardships and pride of those working around the clock. Here’s a playlist dedicated to the unsung heroes who persevere.
“Shiftwork” Originally By Kenny Chesney Featuring George Strait,Covered By The Lonesome 4-40 Express
“Working Man,” Originally By Rush, Covered By Fishburn Mafia
“9 To 5,” Originally By Dolly Parton, Covered By Tommy Johansson
“Night Shift,” Originally By Jon Pardi, Covered By Tyler Ruef
“The Working Dead” Originally From Steven Universe, By Kate Micucci Covered By The Ska Tune Network
“The Working Dead” Originally By The Drowns
“Working Man Blues,” Originally By Merle Haggard, Covered By John Spicer
“Closing Time” Originally By Semisonic Covered By Scary Pockets
“Working Class Hero” Originally By John Lennon, Covered By Ozzy Osbourne
“Buddy On the Nightshift,” Originally By Teresa Stratas, Covered By Sarah Kathryn And Ellen Sommer
More Music
Need more music to either celebrate or commiserate about shiftwork and celebrate International Shift Worker Sunday? Here are some playlists compiled by folks looking for the same thing you are looking for. Check them out and comment on the best song for #InternationalShiftWorkerSunday.
Conclusion To International Shift Worker Sunday
On this International Shift Worker Sunday, take a moment to enjoy a song that reflects your journey. From country twangs to rock riffs, there’s a tune that understands and celebrates the grind.
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