Shift work is conducted outside of the typical working hours in alternating twelve-hour day or night shifts. According to recent European studies, between 15 and 30% of workers have a shift work schedule. Almost half of the employees in protective services (police officers as well as firefighters) and healthcare have to work under such conditions. According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, 2–5% of all shift workers develop some kind of sleep disorder related to their variable working schedule. The employees with shift work disorder may fall asleep at work or while driving. This disorder has a socioeconomic importance since it cаn lead to an increased risk of occupational accidents, traffic accidents, workers’ disability, and can endanger the society in general.
Shift work is associated with certain chronic illnesses. As the number of years spent on a shifting work schedule increases, so does the risk of developing certain oncological (prostate cancer, breast cancer), cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases, metabolic disorders, and obesity.
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