Managing fatigue in the workplace

Long shifts, night work, commuting, heat, repetitive tasks, high emotional demand, and constant interruptions can reduce alertness. Fatigue may show as slower thinking, forgetfulness, irritability, headaches, or difficulty making decisions. Burnout can present with exhaustion, detachment, and reduced work function after prolonged stress. Anaemia, dehydration, COVID-19, coeliac disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and alcohol use disorder can also present with fatigue, so a workplace explanation should not be assumed when symptoms continue outside work.

Plan the most demanding tasks for the time of day when you are most alert. Use short, regular breaks to drink, eat, move, and rest your eyes; a break spent continuing messages may not restore attention. Prioritise one task at a time, use checklists for safety-critical work, and tell a supervisor when fatigue could affect judgement or equipment use. Discuss practical adjustments such as a temporary change in duties, shift pattern, workload, or break timing. Outside work, protect a consistent sleep opportunity and avoid alcohol as a sleep aid. Keep a diary showing work hours, sleep, symptoms, and recovery.

Stop safety-sensitive work and seek urgent help for fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, confusion, sudden weakness, or thoughts of self-harm. Arrange prompt medical review for rapidly worsening fatigue, persistent fever, unexplained bleeding, marked paleness, severe thirst with little urine, or tiredness that remains after adequate recovery time. Do not drive when you are struggling to stay awake or concentrate.

Could my shift pattern, sleep, medicines, mood, or another condition be contributing? Are temporary work adjustments sensible? Do I need tests? What symptoms should make me stop work and seek urgent care?