“Heart attacks, diabetes, divorce: tackling the dangers faced by UK’s army of night workers”

…In a 24-hour society, night work has expanded hugely, accelerated by the cost of living crisis and childcare fees. The night shift pays a premium – but it can also punish people in ways not experienced on day shifts. Night workers are 37% more likely than day workers to have a heart attack, 44% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and 32% more likely to have a miscarriage, while obesity and memory loss are also factors…

In 2017, 19% of the total UK workforce worked at night. Now it is 27% – about 8.7 million people. The number of workers from ethnic minority backgrounds working at night has risen by an extraordinary 71% (360,000) over the past decade while the number of white workers has fallen by 19% (570,000). One in six workers from ethnic minorities and one in 11 white workers are part of the nocturnal workforce, some on permanent nights, others on rotas…

Douglas, working with the Co-op, and in collaboration with night workers, sleep researchers and psychologists, has now developed the Night Club initiative, which aims to bring expert advice for employers and employees into the workplace on such issues as diet, rest and travel…