Despite reports that London’s nighttime economy is facing challenges, with 45% of Londoners heading home before midnight due to a lack of options, new research reveals the capital leads the nation with the highest number of nighttime workers.
Estimates show that the UK night-time economy is worth more than £130 billion. However, with high reward often comes high risk, and night shift employers frequently face additional occupational risks, challenges, and requirements.
The experts at money.co.uk business loans have used ONS data to reveal the number of night-time workers in London and offer tips on mitigating risks for them.
London has the most night workers of all UK regions, with 15,507 night-time employees per 100,000 people. This could be due to the high number of hospitality businesses based in London in addition to round-the-clock healthcare centres in the capital.
Six out of the top 10 local authorities for the highest proportion of night-time workers are all in London. Of these, Camden comes out on top with 137,000 night employees, which is 6,283 per 10,000 people — almost double that of second place Kensington and Chelsea.
Cameron Jaques, money.co.uk business loans said,“To reduce the risks associated with night-time work, businesses should implement several key strategies that prioritise employee well-being and protect the company from legal and financial liabilities. Just some of these are:
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Schedule smartly
“Rotate shifts to avoid too many consecutive night shifts for employees and provide sufficient recovery time between shifts. This can reduce the risk of fatigue-related mistakes, especially in high-risk environments like healthcare.
“Also ensure that night workers have access to adequate rest breaks and a designated area to relax during their shifts. This helps maintain alertness and reduce stress.
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Monitor health and safety
“Regular health assessments should be offered to night workers, especially those in physically or mentally demanding roles. Employers can identify risks early, support their staff, and make adjustments by actively monitoring employee health.
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Purchase the right business insurance
“It’s vital for business owners to take out the right insurance policies to protect themselves and their night-time workers. These might include, liability insurance: Businesses should ensure their policy explicitly covers risks associated with night-time work, such as workplace injuries or incidents involving intoxicated customers.
“Professional indemnity insurance: This is especially important in sectors like healthcare, where night workers may be at higher risk of making errors due to fatigue. It protects businesses from claims of negligent service or advice.
“Public liability insurance: For businesses like bars, clubs, or retail, this insurance protects against claims if a member of the public is injured on the premises during night-time operations. This is particularly relevant when dealing with intoxicated patrons or late-night crowds.”
