NHS GP and TV doctor Dr Amir Khan has warned that shift work is "not natural" for human beings and increases the risk of health problems, particularly cardiovascular and blood pressure issues. Speaking on his podcast, No Appointment Necessary, alongside co-host Cherry Healy, he explored the risks faced by shift workers.
In the UK, approximately 3.5 to 3.6 million people (roughly 14% of the working population) undertake shift work most of the time, according to figures cited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and GOV.UK Guidance. An estimated 8.7 million people (around 26.7% of the UK workforce) typically worked during the evening or at night, based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
Common shift work industries
Shift work is broadly defined as any work schedule that falls outside the standard daytime 9am to 5pm window. Common industries include retail, which employs around three million workers; adult social care and care homes, employing around 1.6 million workers; emergency services and healthcare; transport and logistics, including roughly 300,000 HGV drivers and rail staff; and manufacturing, utilities and oil/gas.
Dr Amir Khan described shift work as a "man-made forced upon thing" imposed by society and industry, rather than something our bodies are biologically equipped for. He said: "Shift work is not natural. It's not natural for us human beings to do. It is a man-made forced upon thing that industry and science and industry and society has done to us. And there is no way around it."
Health risks and legal protections
He added: "Unfortunately, people who do shift work, there is no doubt in my mind, the evidence is very strong. They are increased risk of health issues with regards to their heart, blood pressure, all of these kind of things." Cherry Healy noted that a friend who works maternity night shifts gets paid 20% more per shift, to which Dr Khan replied: "That makes sense."
Shift workers face heightened risks of short and long-term health complications, including disruption to the body's circadian rhythm, persistent sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and Shift Work Sleep Disorder. Gastrointestinal issues such as indigestion, ulcers and bloating are common, and research shows workplace accidents are up to 30% higher during night shifts. Long-term risks include obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and mental health difficulties. The World Health Organization has classified regular night shift work as a probable human carcinogen.
Under the Working Time Regulations, employers must provide regular night workers with free, confidential health assessments before they start night work and at routine intervals. The law also limits night shifts to an average of eight hours within any 24-hour period.
