Shift workers warned job can cause health issue as TV doctor says 'it's not natural'

Shift workers warned job can cause health issue as TV doctor says 'it's not natural' Millions of people affected may not realise how much their job has an impact on their health in the long term A health expert has issued a warning to anyone who works shifts, saying their job could cause health issues. Speaking on a new episode of his podcast, No Appointment Necessary, TV doctor and NHS GP Dr Amir Khan, alongside co-host Cherry Healy, discussed the risks many shift workers may face. In the UK, around 3.5 to 3.6 million people (roughly 14% of the working population) do shift work most of the time, according to data cited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and GOV.UK Guidance. Meanwhile, an estimated 8.7 million people (about 26.7% of the UK workforce) usually worked in the evening or at night (including those who also worked during the day), based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. Common industries with shift work: - Retail: Employs around three million workers (the largest shift-working sector). - Adult social care and care homes: Employs around 1.6 million workers. - Emergency services and healthcare: Hospitals, police, fire, and ambulance services. - Transport and logistics: Including roughly 300,000 HGV drivers and rail staff. - Manufacturing, utilities and oil/gas: Continuous-process and round-the-clock plants What warning does the TV doctor have for shift workers? During the episode, Dr Amir Khan explained that shift work is "not natural" for human beings. He described this kind of job as a man-made schedule forced upon people by society and industry rather than something our bodies are biologically designed for. He also said that there is strong evidence suggesting this type of work schedule increases the risk of health issues, particularly regarding heart health and blood pressure. 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. "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." He went on to stress: "But it's easy for me to say that. If they need it to survive, then they need it to survive." Cherry added: "A good friend of mine is a maternity night shift worker, but she gets paid 20% more for every shift. And at the moment, at this point in her life, it's worth it." Dr Amir Khan replied: "That makes sense." What health issues are shift workers at risk of? Shift workers are at an increased risk of several acute and long-term health issues. According to health bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the NHS, the primary drivers of these risks are the disruption of the body's natural 24-hour biological clock (circadian rhythm) and chronic sleep deprivation. When people work irregular hours, particularly night or rotating shifts, they force their bodies to stay awake when biologically programmed to sleep. This mismatch alters hormone production, core body temperature, and digestion, which often triggers chronic fatigue, insomnia, and a condition known as Shift Work Sleep Disorder. In the short term, this disruption heavily impacts the digestive and cognitive systems. Because eating schedules become irregular, shift workers frequently suffer from gastrointestinal problems like indigestion, ulcers, and bloating. The resulting fatigue can also impair reaction times and decision-making. Studies show that the risk of workplace accidents and errors is up to 30% higher on night shifts compared to daytime shifts, posing an immediate safety hazard. Over the long term, the physiological strain of irregular hours can lead to severe chronic conditions. Research indicates that working night shifts alters how the body processes sugar, causing insulin resistance that significantly raises the risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Experts warn that the combination of high stress hormones and poor sleep quality contributes to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and mental health struggles like anxiety and depression. The World Health Organization even classifies regular night shift work as a probable human carcinogen due to the prolonged disruption of melatonin and cellular repair cycles. UK law under the Working Time Regulations mandates specific protections for regular night workers. Employers are legally required to offer these staff members free, confidential health assessments before they begin night work and at regular intervals afterwards. The law also caps night shifts at an average of eight hours within any 24-hour period to help prevent severe exhaustion and protect worker well-being.