THERE are now more restaurants and shops opening round-the-clock because of increasing competitiveness, and more people are staying up late.

In view of Singapore's increasingly 24/7 environment, there should be policies in place to care for and monitor workers' health and performance.

Switching shifts constantly affects the body clock, which is vital not just to our physical health, but our mental and emotional well-being as well.

Workers feel sleepy when they work, and awake when they're supposed to be asleep and at rest.

Work performance is also affected. Ulcers, insomnia, irritability, depression and tension are some of the results of a distorted body clock.

At the same time, Singapore is aiming for a better quality of life, which can be at odds with the demands of servicing a round-the-clock city.

Shift work can take its toll although the money is good.

Still, the main concern should be preserving a healthy lifestyle for the worker.

For instance, as food and beverage outlets as well as restaurant chains stay open longer, sufficient attention should be paid to their workers' welfare.

Some ways companies can help include allowing a worker to rest for a few days and recover, before switching to a new shift.

An alternative is to have a gradual change in shifts, rather than a radical one. For example, a worker should switch from a 7am-to-3pm shift to a 4pm-to-10pm one, instead of changing directly to a night-to-dawn workday.

Managers planning the shifts of workers should take this point into serious consideration for better work performance, fewer mistakes and the better health of workers.

Another point is that it is better if three weeks is given for each shift cycle to give sufficient time for an employee's body clock to adjust to the working hours.

Older employees who tend to have less adaptable body clocks should also not be put on radically abnormal shifts.

I hope that an awareness of the need for proper rest and repair of the body is cultivated, which will help managers better supervise their workers and improve their quality of work and life.

Guo Jieying (Ms)

Sunrise for the evening economy

Night buzz plans a step towards a 24/7 lifestyle and work culture

By Lee Siew Hua, Senior Political Correspondent

SLEEPLESSNESS is fun, and profitable too. That's one winning story from the world's first Formula One night race and Singapore's new push for a lively evening economy.

Over the F1 weekend - a week from now - the city's image will enjoy a quick global gloss. With that high-octane boost, there's reason to imagine that we'll also win a little more talent, business and wealth over the years.

For the news is that F1 will not be an isolated night event. The Government has formed an intriguing 'night buzz' panel to deliver more after-dark leisure options that go beyond clubbing, pubbing and shopping.

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