CIRCADIAN has conducted comprehensive studies of over five hundred 24/7 facilities and shown that working extended hours is associated with elevated employee costs compared to the daytime workforce.
Absenteeism alone accounts for as much as $2,100 in additional costs per year for shiftworkers as compared to dayworkers. For shiftworkers, only one-third of days taken as sick days are for personal health reasons, as excessive fatigue due to poor scheduling contributes to additional need for time off.
Operationally, high absenteeism can lead to increased overtime, inefficient production, poor communication, and overall loss of production.