CHAMPIONING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK AT NIGHT

Night work is essential to the economy — yet too little consideration has been given to addressing the challenges and inequalities faced by this forgotten shift.

Alongside our work with employers and night teams, Night Club campaigns for change at a system level, working with policymakers, researchers and advocates to ensure night workers are recognised, protected and supported.

There are 8.7 million people regularly working at night in the UK. Long-term night work is linked to increased risks to physical and mental health, yet policy and regulation often treat night work as a marginal issue rather than a defining feature of the modern economy.

WHY THIS MATTERS

We believe better outcomes for night workers require action beyond individual workplaces - including leadership, research and accountability at national level.

WHAT WE’RE CALLING FOR

We are currently urging government to take the following action:

  • HEALTH CHECKS: Strengthen the Working Time Directive to require annual health checks for night workers.

  • LEADERSHIP: Recognise the 8.7 million night workers as a distinct group in the UK economy by assigning a responsible Minister.

  • EXPERT TASKFORCE: Consult industry leaders and sleep scientists on protections and outcomes for night workers, and take action on the findings

  • RESEARCH: Fund greater research into the impacts of night work and ways to mitigate its health impacts

KEY MOMENTS

Publication of Night Club’s first manifesto (2020), calling on businesses and policymakers to address the deteriorating health and wellbeing of the UK’s growing night workforce.

Night Club founder Sarah Douglas gave evidence (January 2023) to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee’s inquiry into economic growth and labour markets, influencing recommendations for stronger government leadership on protection for night workers.

Hosting a cross-party Parliamentary reception (June 2023) attended by more than 20 MPs, putting night workers’ needs firmly on the policy agenda.

Hosting the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (December 2023), alongside the Night Czar and local authority leaders at a Night Club delivery. The Mayor of London echoed Night Club’s campaign aims in his news release and media coverage.

Delivery of the Great Parliamentary Sleep Survey in partnership with the University of East Anglia and the University of Oxford, highlighting striking parallels between the sleep challenges faced by parliamentarians and shift workers.

An ongoing Parliamentary Sleep Champions initiative, supporting a cross-party group of over 30 MPs and Lords to foreground night-worker experiences in their work.

A parliamentary reception to launch the Bright Nights employer guide, bringing together parliamentarians, business leaders and night workers.

GET INVOLVED

We work in partnership with policymakers, researchers, employers and advocates who want to improve outcomes for people who work at night.

If you’d like to discuss our campaigning work or explore a partnership, please contact:

ADVOCACY@NIGHT-CLUB.ORG