Up to 8.7 million UK workers—roughly 27% of the workforce—may be putting their health at risk by doing shift work, according to TV doctor Dr Amir Khan. The NHS GP and podcast host argues that the human body is not evolved to handle rotating or night shifts, calling the practice a 'modern capitalist imposition'.
In a recent episode of his 'No Appointment Necessary' podcast, Dr Khan said: 'Our bodies are not evolved to do shift work. Shift work is a modern thing, part of capitalism, that's been thrust upon us. It sees us more as functional units rather than actual human beings.' He added that the body is not designed to stay up all night one week and work days the next.
Drawing on his experience in a busy A&E department, Dr Khan admitted he struggled with erratic shift patterns and having to 'get sleep when he could'. He advised that consistent shifts are better than constantly switching, as the body can then get into a rhythm. 'Some people really like working nights, then sleeping through the day,' he noted.
Research supports the idea that fixed working hours help maintain the body's natural circadian rhythm, leading to better sleep, stable blood pressure, and reduced fatigue. Irregular shift patterns, by contrast, are linked to metabolic disruption and increased snacking.
For those seeking more consistent hours, Dr Khan suggests a brief conversation with a manager, emphasising workplace benefits such as increased productivity. Proposing a trial period—for example, 30 days—can help demonstrate the new pattern's viability.
