WORK HOUR CONSULTATION
Shift schedules – intelligent and humane at the same time
Nowadays, only approximately 15 percent of employees still work Monday through Friday during traditional working hours. For an increasing number of businesses, shift working has become normal. The shift in time, especially for night shifts presents an exceptional strain for workers. TÜV NORD Mobility develops shift schedules based on scientific findings regarding work environments. And, in the process, they help prevent fatigue and long-term damage to the health of employees. We provide companies with advice and support them in optimising shift schedules.
Practice-oriented methods
We build upon a proven, modular method: In the first step, we provide information about the strains and demands of shift working, methods of occupational medicine, and ergonomic aids for affected shift workers. The information event is geared towards managing employees, company doctors, works councils, and employees that are involved in scheduling shifts.
In the second module, we provide the shift workers with support in introducing and implementing ergonomically designed shift schedules. The objective is to establish and increase acceptance.
In the third module, a daytime seminar is also aimed at the employees: Here, we provide practical assistance. For example, when it comes to helping shift workers improve their sleeping or nutritional behaviours, or helping them more effectively combine shift working and family life, or helping them remember the importance of maintaining social relationships, or deliberately pursuing hobbies.
Good programmes help
The German Working Time Act stipulates that "the working time of night shift employees and shift-workers... must be organised according to humane working conditions....". First and foremost, intelligently devised shift schedules help reduce loads and strains in this case. Our "Optischicht" software programme ensures that the ergonomic findings are incorporated into scheduled business operations. Furthermore, it also enables intelligent shift planning, reduces the loads and strains of the employees, and increases economic efficiency.
