The Hidden Cost of Night Work and Split Shifts
About this episode
This episode explores the hidden toll of night work and split shifts in the cleaning industry through the experiences of two cleaners.
"We are the invisibles. We clean when no one is around." Most people work during the day. But for nearly half of Europe's cleaners, the shift begins when everyone else goes home. In this episode, we examine the hidden toll of night work and split shifts—and why daytime cleaning is a proven, humane alternative. We hear from two cleaners living in two different realities: one trapped in the exhaustion of the night, and the other working under a better system but with its own challenges. In this episode, we hear from: 🌙 Steffi (Stephanie) Wlodraski , who worked as a cleaner in Germany since she was fifteen. She now represents her colleagues as the German representative on the European works council. She describes the physical and social destruction of working while the world sleeps—lost friendships, disrupted family life, and a body that "eventually breaks down." ☀️ Naemy Aasen , a cleaner and trade unionist from Norway who works continuous daytime shifts. She explains how daytime cleaning allows her to see her children, attend their activities, and have a life outside work—and why her country's model could work anywhere. 📊 Karin Sardadvar , a sociologist in…
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