Shobna S (name changed on request) is one of the many cases in the city who has turned averse to night shifts. This after a doctor revealed that it could be one of the causes for her not being able to conceive.

This Coimbatore-based woman was married here and had her husband who used to work overseas gave up his job and the couple stay in R S Puram. However, Shobna continued to work night shift in an outsourcing company. She recalls being persuaded by her friends and family, many times to give up her job. She found it difficult as she was so used to the night shift way of life.

“I took up the job in an outsourcing company (which no longer exists) just to keep myself occupied. I am a B.Com graduate, I did not have many options, hence I opted for an all night-shift. I was warned by friends and family not to work night shift. I did not listen to them. Now, I advice people especially women not to work at nights.” Shobna says. The decision not to work night shift came when her doctor associated her inability to get pregnant to her night shift job.

Psychiatrist Dr N Mano co-founder of Balaji Neuro Psychiatric Centre in R S Puram educates us that this is just one of the many problems that people who work night shift face. “While working night shift one is going against their own body. Our body is designed to work in the day and rest at night. When one does the reverse, everything takes a u-turn. People who work night shift experience indigestion. They tend to either be too thin or overweight. Plus, despite sleeping a good eight or nine hours during the day, these set of people tend to feel lethargic while at work all night.” Dr Mano says.

When asked if people who work night shift are prone to depression, this doctor does not rule out its possibilities. He adds that lack of sleep especially lack of quality sleep and being cut-off from the family and social system can also add on to chances of an individual being depressed. “A majority of people who work night shift are sleep deprived. By default the nature of their work and work timings does not allow them to socialize much.” Dr. Mano says.

Kavya S. who works in a call centre says that call centres are aware of the hazards of working against nature and that is why they compensate the loss with additional perks to such employees. “In our call centre we have people who work in various shifts starting from 5 pm onwards. However, the employees who work the graveyard shift which is from 12 midnight get the maximum benefits in terms of incentives and refreshment. The reason is obvious.” says this 26-year old quality control executive.