rotating shifts
Explanation:
Is it appropriate for hospitals to use rotating shifts as a staffing option?
YES
I believe that in order to give effective, consistent and quality care, rotating shifts are the "necessary evil" in the hospital setting. Unless it can be agreed upon to have staff specifically required, or volunteering for coverage of each shift, I don't see what the alternative would be. In my experience, it is very difficult to have all staff agreeable to consistently cover all needed shifts.
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Note added at 2002-08-15 12:06:46 (GMT)
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A growing number of workers in Australia are required to work shifts, particularly night and rotating shifts, despite mounting evidence of the safety dangers and risks to health involved. Nearly one million workers are affected today—one in seven—an increase of some 100,000 over the past six years.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics report, Working Arrangements 1997, many are working the most debilitating, unhealthy and dangerous shifts. Nearly half, 427,500, are on rotating shifts, that is morning, afternoon and night in sequence (up from 359,800 in 1993). Another 173,800 are on regular night or \"graveyard\" shifts between 5pm and 6am (up from 142,300 in 1993). Another 173,400 are on irregular shifts (up from 142,300).
They include 49,500 teenagers (15-19 years) and 138,700 young adults (20-24 years). Shift work is most concentrated in the private sector, with 702,800 shift workers, compared to 279,100 in the public sector. Part-timers are more likely to be affected—17 percent of part-timers are on shifts, compared to 14 percent of full-time workers.
Shift work is concentrated in the most dangerous areas of employment. Mining has the highest rate—43 percent—followed by health and community services with 33 percent and transport and storage on 32 percent. Health workers are often involved in critical care, sometimes making life and death decisions. Yet of the 236,700 people working shifts in health and community services, 113,700 are on rotation, 36,000 are on nights, 43,700 are on irregular shifts, 5,700 are “on call” and 4,500 are on split shifts.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/sep1999/shift-s06.shtml
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Note added at 2002-08-15 12:10:04 (GMT)
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Registrars are rostered to work 40 hours per week on rotating shifts. Conditions of service are governed by the South Australian Medical Officers Award which includes 35 days paid annual leave and currently provides for 25% salary sacrifice
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peer agreement (net): +9