Cleaners, the unsung heroes who take care of the core infrastructure that makes our societies run, are facing a silent battle against the detrimental effects of poor sleep schedules and exhaustion.
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Over 2,500 participants from 32 countries across 6 continents say that nighttime shift makes them suffer from isolation, strained relationships, disrupted sleep patterns, exhaustion, and severe impacts on both physical and mental health.
Approximately half of the cleaners surveyed work shifts that fall outside the regular day shift, and statistical analysis indicates that these cleaners face significant disadvantages compared to their daytime counterparts.
Nearly 70% of night-shift cleaners and over half of early morning and evening shift cleaners report not getting enough sleep, emphasizing the detrimental impact of non-day shifts on their sleep patterns.
Alarmingly, around 45% of female cleaners working the night shift express feeling unsafe at work, with a significant number experiencing harassment during their shifts and commutes.
Moreover, evening and night-shift workers often find themselves torn between their work schedules and their social and family lives. These cleaners face higher rates of conflict, as their non-standard working hours hinder their ability to spend quality time with loved ones.
The testimonies of cleaners highlight the strain on their relationships with children and partners, exacerbating the sense of isolation and societal disconnect they experience.
The survey uncovers a troubling reality: most cleaners working shifts other than the day shift have no alternative but to do so. This lack of choice further underscores the urgent need for the cleaning industry to address scheduling issues and prioritize the physical and mental well-being of cleaners. It is imperative that employers and clients recognize the immense toll that non-daytime shifts take on these essential workers and offer viable alternatives.
While it is evident that economic pressures and limited options often force cleaners into non-daytime shifts, it is the responsibility of the industry and its clients to rectify this situation. Offering daytime shifts, which promote regular sleep patterns, social interaction, and a healthier work-life balance, should be prioritized.
Although non-daytime shifts may come with higher wages, this should not come at the expense of cleaners' physical and mental well-being. We must recognize that their lives are more important than money.
“The body was created to rest at night and not to work. That is why most night workers have high blood pressure,” a UK night cleaner told us. “I would sleep and eat well, I wouldn’t be so tired, I would get less sick,” a Colombian multi-shift cleaner said when asked how life would change if she started working only day shifts. We cannot ignore their pleas for a better, healthier future.
It is time to bring daylight into the cleaning sector and ensure that cleaners can thrive, both personally and professionally.
We have long advocated for a transition to daytime work in the cleaning sector, recognizing the negative consequences of irregular and unsocial shifts on workers. This survey reinforces the urgent need for change.
Cleaners should not have to sacrifice their health and happiness for the sake of their livelihoods. It's time to make daytime work the norm and pull cleaners out of the shadows.
