MORE restaurants and shops are staying open round the clock because of rising competition and the growing number of people who stay up late.

In view of Singapore's increasingly 24/7 environment, there should be policies in place to care for and monitor the health and performance of workers in such businesses.

Singapore is aiming for a better quality of life for its residents, which is at odds with the demands of servicing a city which is active round the clock.

Shift work can take its toll, although the money is good.

The main concern should be helping workers maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For instance, as food-andbeverage outlets and restaurant chains stay open longer, sufficient attention should be paid to their workers' welfare.

For better work performance, productivity, fewer mistakes and more robust health on workers' part, shifts should be planned properly.

Some ways in which companies can help include letting a worker have sufficient time to rest and re-adjust before switching to a different shift.

Managers or supervisors planning workers' shifts should consider this seriously.

Awareness of the need for proper rest should be cultivated.

It will improve managers' supervision of staff and improve staff members' work and quality of life.

Mr Sebastian Tan

For more my paper stories click here.