Firm Says Older Workers Morning People
[3 February 2004 - Associated Press] Many older workers seem to be morning people, finding the early part of the day their most productive time, according to the employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., which studied the work force of people 55 and older. Studies show that we often require less sleep as we age, and many people adopt an "early to bed, early to rise" schedule as they get older. So Challenger Gray suggests early risers might want shifts starting at 6:30 a.m. because at that hour, there are fewer calls, meetings and distractions, allowing workers to focus on their tasks. The Chicago-based firm notes that early work hours could have an impact on the wider economy � West Coast companies serving East Coast clients sooner, higher worker productivity, and more free leisure hours in the evenings. Since January 2001, the biggest job growth has been among those 55 and older, with 3.2 million new workers from that group, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.