Participate in Circadian's 2005 Shiftwork Practices Survey: Annual Report Provides Mission-Critical Data to Managers of Extended Hours Operations

    LEXINGTON, Mass., April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- While the advantages of running
 a business beyond the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. are obvious, there are often
 costs and liabilities attached to these extended hours of operation.  Most
 often, the burden falls on the facility managers and shift supervisors to
 mitigate losses due to the absenteeism, tardiness, injury, turnover, and
 excessive overtime that occur more frequently during extended hours.  These
 managers need to be able to measure their results against those of their
 peers.  That's why each year, leading international research and consulting
 firm Circadian gathers data from all industries that use shiftwork, and
 presents the results in its Shiftwork Practices report, the gold standard for
 assessing and comparing trends vital to the 24/7 economy.
 
     Highlights from last year's survey results include:
      -- Workers' compensation claims are 15 times higher at extended hours
        operations with severe fatigue problems than at those reporting no
        fatigue problems.
      -- Absenteeism rates 5.8% in 2003 among extended hours workers, three
        times higher than the average rate of 1.9% for the entire U.S.
        workforce over the same period.
      -- Average turnover in extended hours facilities was 10% in 2003 compared
        with 3.4% in all U.S. companies.
      -- Nearly two-thirds of employers pay a shift differential to both
        salaried and hourly employees as an incentive to work non-daytime
        hours.
 
     Shiftwork Practices provides the latest trends and key performance
 indicators and, where relevant, breaks down information by region and industry
 to help show how the data vary.  Circadian also makes predictions for trends
 in for the coming year, so that managers can better determine what actions
 they may need to take.
     For managers, participation in this year's survey is a chance not only to
 make themselves heard, but also to join voices with other managers across
 multiple industries and geographical locations.  "By collecting these data,
 facilities can identify potential cost savings within their organization,"
 said Alex Kerin, Ph.D., a Circadian researcher and consultant, and author of
 last year's report.  "In these competitive times, it is critical to identify
 excess bottom line costs.  I would urge all extended hours operations managers
 to complete the survey."
     This year, Circadian is proud to offer survey participants the executive
 summary of the report, along with last year's Shiftwork Practice Alerts, a
 suite of four exclusive special reports on issues affecting extended hours
 operations.  (These four reports cover the effective use of napping, employee-
 selected schedules, noise in extended hours workplaces, and exercise.)
 Participants will also receive a three-month subscription to Managing 24/7,
 Circadian's monthly electronic newsletter made specifically to keep facility
 managers up to date with the latest research, news, and trends.  These
 products, valued at over $200 are free to managers who complete the survey.
 Completing the survey is fast and convenient.  Simply visit Circadian online
 at www.circadian.com/practices and follow the instructions.
 
     About Circadian:
     Circadian is the leading international research and consulting firm
 assisting companies with extended hours operations to improve profits by
 increasing productivity and reducing the increased costs, risks, and
 liabilities of human factors.  Circadian's mission is to empower its clients
 to effectively use extended operations to compete in the global 24/7 economy.
 Extended hours operations encompass all work environments with irregular
 schedules, night and evening shifts, or extended hours, typically outside the
 hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Since its incorporation by Dr. Martin Moore-Ede in
 1983, more than half the Fortune 1000 has benefited by working with Circadian.
 For more information, visit www.circadian.com
 
     Contact:
      Alex Kerin, Ph.D.
      781.676.6918
      akerin@circadian.com
 
 

SOURCE  Circadian