SHIFT workers are more likely to have accidents or suffer from depression because of their "exhausting" work patterns, according to a survey by Insurance firm Zurich.
It found that working irregular hours caused other problems such as insomnia and memory lapses. Half of those interviewed worked shifts, including police officers, firefighters and nurses. One in seven said they had almost fallen asleep while driving, a fifth suffered from insomnia and more than one in 10 said working unusual hours left them feeling depressed.
Almost a fifth had worked shifts lasting between 16 and 18 hours and one in 10 admitted they had worked for 24 hours at a stretch, while 7% of shift workers said they would take a pay cut if they could work normal hours.
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