We are running a 150-bed multi-specialty charitable hospital. We have nurses and Class IV workers on shift duty. We have a few questions regarding their work hours and would appreciate your expert opinion on the matter.
Current Shift Duty Hours
Currently, our shift duty hours consist of 2 days in the morning from 8 am to 2 pm (6 hours each), 2 days in the evening from 2 pm to 8 pm (6 hours each), and 2 nights from 8 pm to 8 am (12 hours each). This totals 48 hours per week. Is this pattern acceptable? Is a 12-hour night shift suitable considering the nature of the work? If so, could you provide a reference for our backup?
Break Requirements According to the Factories Act
According to the Factories Act, we are required to provide a half-hour break after 5 hours of work. Do we need to schedule half-hour breaks in 6-hour shifts as well? If we do, should we adjust the shift time to 6 and a half hours instead of 6 (i.e., from 8 am to 2:30 pm)?
Day Shift and Lunch Breaks
For individuals working the day shift, is the lunch break inclusive or exclusive of their work hours? Currently, most of our staff work from 8 am to 5 pm with a 1-hour lunch break. Is this arrangement appropriate?
Public Holidays and Compensatory Time Off
Regarding public holidays, we offer compensatory time off before and after the holiday and pay them their daily wage. Is this approach acceptable, or are we required to pay twice? Is providing compensatory time off for public holidays permissible?
Regards, Bankim Sheth
Current Shift Duty Hours
Currently, our shift duty hours consist of 2 days in the morning from 8 am to 2 pm (6 hours each), 2 days in the evening from 2 pm to 8 pm (6 hours each), and 2 nights from 8 pm to 8 am (12 hours each). This totals 48 hours per week. Is this pattern acceptable? Is a 12-hour night shift suitable considering the nature of the work? If so, could you provide a reference for our backup?
Break Requirements According to the Factories Act
According to the Factories Act, we are required to provide a half-hour break after 5 hours of work. Do we need to schedule half-hour breaks in 6-hour shifts as well? If we do, should we adjust the shift time to 6 and a half hours instead of 6 (i.e., from 8 am to 2:30 pm)?
Day Shift and Lunch Breaks
For individuals working the day shift, is the lunch break inclusive or exclusive of their work hours? Currently, most of our staff work from 8 am to 5 pm with a 1-hour lunch break. Is this arrangement appropriate?
Public Holidays and Compensatory Time Off
Regarding public holidays, we offer compensatory time off before and after the holiday and pay them their daily wage. Is this approach acceptable, or are we required to pay twice? Is providing compensatory time off for public holidays permissible?
Regards, Bankim Sheth