The purpose of this study was to assess whether shift schedules used in B.C. have been enhanced based on advances in knowledge about optimal shift design, and whether workers were trained in techniques to improve their experience of shift work.

This study surveyed types of shiftwork and shiftwork education program in B.C. workplaces across various sectors. The organizations surveyed used a wide variety of shift systems and the majority did not provide shiftwork education. A complementary study of shiftworkers at Vancouver International Airport during mid-winter and mid-summer was also conducted to assess the effect of seasonal variation on shiftwork adaptation. Professional shiftwork consultants were rarely involved in the design of these schedules (only 1.9% of the total), and 82% of organizations provided no shiftwork education.