How to manage night shifts and support your night workers

Running a business that operates through the night isn’t easy, and managing night shifts comes with its own set of challenges, from maintaining employee wellbeing to ensuring productivity and compliance, there’s a lot to consider.

But with the right approach, you can create a smooth-running operation and a supportive environment that helps your night workers thrive.

Here’s what you need to know about night shifts and how you can manage them effectively to keep your team happy and healthy.

How do night shifts work?

Night shifts, often referred to as the "graveyard shift", typically involve work hours that span from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. However, the exact start and end times vary depending on each business’ internal scheduling policies.

Some employers offer premium pay, known as a night shift differential, for employees working overnight hours. While this extra compensation is a common workplace practice, it is not required by law in Ontario, British Columbia, or Alberta. In unionized workplaces, night shift premiums may be provided through a collective agreement.

Night shift differentials are usually an additional $1 to $5 per hour, but the amount and pay structure can vary by employer or industry.

Plan your night shifts carefully

A well planned schedule is key to successful night shift management, fairness and flexibility are key. So, if possible, give your team options when it comes to their night shift work, while remaining provincially compliant.

Some options you can consider are:

• Shift rotation

• Shift swapping

• Compressed work weeks

Allowing your employees to rest properly is not only beneficial for their wellbeing, but also a major part of remaining compliant with the law in your province. Ensure to check the guidelines for your jurisdiction and provide adequate time off between shifts and enough rest per week.

If you’re struggling to schedule your employees, provide flexibility and remain compliant with employment law, a shift & scheduling software can help.

Prioritize night shift health and safety

The night shift can bring unique risks, and safety should always come first. Start by conducting a thorough risk assessment for your night-time operations.

Identify any hazards specific to working at night—such as fatigue, reduced visibility, or lone working, and put measures in place to address them.

Lone worker protections, like check-ins and emergency alerts, are vital when fewer staff are on-site.

Support employee wellbeing

Night shifts can take a toll on mental and physical health. Employers who prioritize wellbeing are more likely to retain happy, healthy workers.

Here’s some things you can do to support your team:

• Provide tips on sleep hygiene, like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a dark, quiet environment for rest.

• If you provide food during shifts, prioritize nutritious snacks to keep energy levels stable.

• Schedule wellbeing check-ins to ensure employees are coping with the demands of night work.

A little effort here can go a long way in reducing fatigue and keeping your team engaged.

Create a positive work environment

Night shifts can feel isolating, especially when most of the business is off during those hours. Creating a supportive environment can make a big difference. So, make it a habit to check in with your night shift staff. Even a quick chat can help them feel valued and give you insights into any issues they might be facing.

It’s also important to make sure your night workers have access to the same facilities as daytime staff. This means break rooms, kitchen amenities, and anything else they need to do their job comfortably.

Provide the right training and support

Employees who work night shifts face unique situations, so tailored training is essential.

Think about cover topics like:

•        Fatigue management

•        Lone working protocols

•        Emergency procedures

Providing access to training materials and resources, either online or through your HR systems, ensures your team has what they need to handle challenges confidently.

Don’t forget about ongoing training. Offering training sessions during night hours helps them feel included and keeps their skills up to date.

Manage workloads and breaks effectively

Keeping an eye on workloads is key to preventing burnout and maintaining productivity. That’s why it’s important to monitor and regularly check that the workload for night shifts is manageable.

Also, short breaks can help night workers stay alert and reduce fatigue. In fact, research shows that 10-minute ‘micro-breaks’ may help prevent worker burnout. So, encourage regular breaks and make sure they take them.

If you need help spotting signs of overworking, you can use scheduling software  or a clock in app to track shifts, breaks, and workloads.

Monitor performance and adapt

Managing night shifts isn’t a one-and-done task. Regularly review your processes to see what’s working and what could improve.

• Check in with supervisors and team members for feedback

• Analyse data, such as absenteeism rates or safety incidents, to spot trends

• Stay up to date with occupational health & safety standards to ensure compliance

Being proactive and open to change will help you keep your night shift operations running smoothly.

Get help managing night shifts with BrightHR

Managing night shifts effectively isn’t just about scheduling, it’s about supporting your team, prioritizing safety, and creating a workplace where employees feel valued. With the right approach, you can turn night shifts into a productive and positive part of your business.

Interested in getting started with BrightHR’s software solutions for managing night shifts? Book a free demo today.

Our HR solutions not only make scheduling night shifts a breeze but with health and safety software, employment relations advice and 24/7 health & safety support services, you and your team get the support and resources you need—anytime, anywhere.