Reading file 3
Background
Shifting the balance
It is estimated that shift workers make relax in front of the television but women
up 17% of the world’s workforce, and 40 are expected to do the domestic chores
that figure is rising to accommodate the once they have got home from a long
growing 24-hour culture. But is working nights’ work. This means that they are
5 shifts bad for your health? Well, if you are effectively doing two jobs and not getting
a woman then the answer might well be enough sleep.
‘yes’. Recent research in Denmark suggests 45 Dr Del Mastro has advice for employers
that women who work shifts, especially who use shift workers. ‘Employers can help
night shifts, are more likely to be forced into their staff avoid the problems caused by
10 early retirement than men. working nights by making night shifts more
There has long been concern that shift pleasant,’ she says. Responsible employers
work can be linked to a range of health 50 schedule shifts to allow sufficient breaks
problems, including increased risk of heart and days off so that employees both get
disease, breast cancer, peptic ulcers, sleep enough sleep and can also deal with their
15 disturbance, complications in pregnancy personal lives. Having good quality lights to
and accidents. As well as the obvious simulate daylight can help to keep workers
factors like lack of sleep and sunlight 55 feeling fresh throughout the shift. Making
deprivation, poor diet and lack of exercise sure there is quality food available for their
have also been blamed for this ill-health. staff is another measure Dr Del Mastro
20 ‘Shift workers tend to snack rather than eat suggests. If the staff are eating properly
square meals,’ says Dr Nina Del Mastro, they will be more alert and healthier. If
a doctor who has researched the effects 60 the company can’t afford catering, then
of shift work on health problems. ‘This they should at least provide a microwave
means their meals tend to be high in fat and refrigerator or a vending machine
25 and caffeine and they often don’t get their with healthy products. Workers would
daily allowance of vitamins.’ A study into also benefit from regular exercise during
the effects of shift work on health, reported 65 their shift. ‘It doesn’t have to be much,’
that 77% of extended-hours workers said explains Del Mastro, ‘a quick walk during
they were getting no regular exercise. The the break will help to revive tired limbs and
30 Danish study suggested that more women minds.’ Finally, workers can also benefit
than men are forced to retire early due to from training on how best to cope with
health problems and 34% of those women 70 the inevitable changes to their bodies and
had regularly done shift work. However, social lives.
the research was unable to come up with If employers are worried about the
35 a reason why women should be more cost of this, they should remember that
affected by working irregular or extended a healthier workforce is a more productive
hours. One theory suggests that when men 75 workforce, so they will see a return on their
go home after a night shift they sleep or investment.
© Oxford University Press 2008 Business Result Intermediate
Reading file 3
Exercises
1 Work with a partner. Answer these questions.
1 Have you ever worked shifts? Did you enjoy it? Why / why not?
2 Do many people work shifts in your country? What kind of jobs do these
people do?
3 What do you think are the pros and cons of working shifts?
4 Do you think working shifts could be bad for your health? Why / why not?
2 Read the text quickly and find out if any of your ideas from questions 3
and 4 above are mentioned in the text.
3 Read the text again and decide if the statements are true (T) or false (F).
1 Shift work appears to affect men’s health less than that of women.
2 Almost one fifth of workers work shifts.
3 Female shift workers generally have a poorer diet than men.
4 Women usually get to relax after working their shift.
5 Employers will benefit from helping to improve the health of their shift
workers.
4 Work with a partner and follow the instructions.
• Student A: Read the text to look for reasons why shift work is unhealthy.
Student B: Read the text to look for advice to make shift work more healthy.
• When you have both finished, tell your partner the information in your own
words.
5 Match the words in bold in the text to definitions 1–8.
1 provide what somebody wants or needs:
2 food that makes you feel satisfied:
3 jobs that are not interesting but that you must do:
4 when something cannot be avoided or prevented from happening:
5 watching, listening, etc. for something with all your attention:
6 give the same effect as something else:
7 suffer something being taken away:
8 make somebody or something strong or healthy again:
6 Work with a partner. Try to use each word in a sentence about yourself.
7 Look back at the text and choose three words that you could use in
your day-to-day work.
8 What do you think of the advice in the text? Does your company
follow any of the advice?
© Oxford University Press 2008 Business Result Intermediate
