Night Shift Operations: Guidelines and Strategies for Success

There's a large part of the workforce that we don't often think about when we talk about company culture. Night workers are a hugely important part of our economy, and while some companies may never consider the night shift, others cannot do without them.

If you run a business that employs night workers, you need to keep up to date with the latest regulations. Below is a quick summary of the most important things business owners and managers need to know, followed by our tips for dealing well with your night workers.

Night work legislation

Working hours and boundaries

Night workers are people who regularly work at least 3 hours between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. (with some exceptions). Some employees are also defined as night workers if there is a union agreement confirming this.

Wages for night workers

All night workers must be paid at least the standard national minimum wage. There is no mandatory higher rate for night work, although some companies may choose to pay more (and we think you probably should).

Night shifts

There are special rules for calculating the number of hours for which an employee must be paid at least the national minimum wage on a night shift. This depends on whether the employee is expected to work or sleep most of the time.

Limitation of night working hours

For employees who work night shifts, additional rules apply that go beyond the maximum working hours and rest breaks. For example, a night worker may not work more than an average of 8 hours in a 24-hour period. This average value is usually determined over 17 weeks. The average value includes regular overtime, but not occasional overtime.

It is important to know that these limits are set by law, so employees cannot opt out.

Younger workers

By law, employees who are 16 or 17 years old are not allowed to work between 12 and 4 a.m. As a rule, they are also not allowed to work shifts between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Exceptions apply to certain industries such as agriculture, retail, newspaper delivery, hospitals and hospitality.

Mental or physical stress

Night shift workers carrying out dangerous or stressful activities are not allowed to work more than 8 hours in a 24-hour period and a risk assessment must be carried out beforehand.

Records

As an employer, you must keep records of the shifts worked by your night workers for audit purposes. Keep these for at least 2 years.

Clauses and additional details

The Government provides further details of the sub-clauses and additional details of this legislation online at Gov.UK. It's worth checking your employees' contracts if they work nights to ensure you're complying with all current rules and regulations.

These rules are also likely to change after leaving the EU, so keep up to date with employment law in the coming years.

Support for night workers

Good employers always strive to go above and beyond the legal minimum when looking after their employees. Below are some ways you can maintain a positive work culture for your employees across all shift models.

1. Offer regular health checks - perhaps twice a year - so your employees can raise any concerns or problems.
2. Make sure your night workers get the same information, updates, and benefits as your day workers, and include them in things like Slack channels or secret Santas. Even if they can't come to events, you should still invite them so they don't feel left out.
3. Make sure some of your managers also work night shifts so they know what it's like and can spend time with the night team.
4. Invest in proper security measures for your office so that your night workers always feel safe.
5. Leave them a treat or two! Donuts, fruit, hot drinks... Make them feel valued and supported and find ways to show your appreciation for their work.
6. Consider offering enhanced health and well-being benefits as regular night work poses particular health risks. You could offer mental health hotlines, free health checks, better lifestyle advice, discounted gym memberships, etc.
7. Invest in the professional development of your night workers as well as that of all other employees.

There are millions of night workers across the country, but they are sometimes forgotten when we think about how to properly treat our staff. I hope the above will spark some thought in your organization. Are you getting the most out of your valuable night workers?

Navigating regulations and supporting night workers is essential for a thriving workplace culture. Explore insights from IceHrm to optimize night shift management.