Night Shift Struggles: How Can We Keep Employees Awake and Alert?

I would like to have some tips on how to prevent employees from sleeping during night shifts. What are the plans for improvement to address this issue.

Viji KS

Dear Viji,

You can implement a system where your managerial staff rotate to night shifts at least once a month. During these shifts, they should observe all working areas and provide a report. Additionally, they should identify any difficulties that arise during night shifts and suggest corrective actions accordingly.

Implementing this system may help reduce the number of employees sleeping during night shifts.

Noor

Dear Viji,

An oral warning can be given the first time. If the problem is not controlled, a written warning can be issued by the section head. If the individual refuses to accept the letter, a photo of the person who violated the rules, along with a copy of the warning letter, can be displayed on the notice board with the assistance of the IR department. This measure will effectively reduce indiscipline on the shop floor.

Regards,
Kumar

Hi Viji,

Does your company have enough work for people, or are you overstaffed? Also, where are the team leaders?

Regards,
Surya

Practically, this is one of the most difficult tasks for HR to bring discipline to the night shift and maintain it. Generally, if you look at the industry, the reality is that almost all plant management faces this problem. The very next morning, the HR Manager is called by the Head of the Organization for clarification, and an HOD meeting is organized. Night shift (disaster) management becomes active, production improves for a few days, and after about 15 days, the same situation arises again. Isn't it, my friend?

So, by taking one or two stern steps (as suggested in earlier posts here), you can bring discipline for a few days. However, to maintain it, you need to monitor the night shift performance continuously. Here are some suggestions:

1) Bringing discipline is the job of HR, but to maintain it, all HODs need to come together and help HR sustain the system.

2) Form a team comprising 1 or 2 management personnel to be the 'Night Manager'. Define the system of producing routine reports at different times. Create a format and keep it available in the Security Department. Note down suggestions in the suggestion column.

3) Ask departments to produce Production MIS for the night shift separately.

4) Involve worker participation in the Night supervision team.

5) It is observed that many Night Managers take a nap after 2 a.m., and the next day, they report that everything was fine. Consider how HR can intervene in that matter.

6) Generally, workers sleep from midnight onwards. Ask the Night Supervision Team to remain active throughout the night.

The key point is to continue whatever action/system you wish to implement in the 'Night Shift'.

Regards,

Viji,

I would like to reaffirm that HR should stay away from this issue. This is routine functioning of Production/Operations; let the concerned managers tighten up their belts as they are being paid for it. The reason why any long-term intervention is not working is simply because there is not 100% commitment from the Operations team.

Also, Viji, does your company have enough work, and are the compensation levels of workers and supervisors in the top bracket of the industry?

Surya