At 3:30 a.m., while the majority of Switzerland is deep in sleep, Firdeusa Lendo is already beginning her ritual. She fills a bucket with water, pulls on blue rubber gloves, and reaches for a damp cloth. For 20 years, this has been her rhythm. Her task is precise and grueling: cleaning seven massive articulated buses per shift to ensure that commuters step into a pristine vehicle at dawn.
Lendo is one of approximately 300,000 people in Switzerland who regularly engage in Nachtarbeit (night function), defined as labor performed between 11 p.m. And 6 a.m. When those who work nights only occasionally are included, that figure rises to roughly 800,000 people, according to the Federal Statistical Office (BFS). While the workforce is spread across healthcare and hospitality, the BFS notes a particularly high concentration in the transport and warehousing sectors.
For Lendo, the early hours are a battle of will. «In the moment when the alarm clock rings, I often think: ‘Oh no, it is so cold. I have no desire,’» she admits. But once she is on her feet, the resistance vanishes. Her commitment is driven by a lifelong pursuit of financial independence and a desire to provide a different trajectory for her three daughters.
The Strategic Cost of the Night Shift
For the 50-year-ancient Bosnian native, working through the night was not merely a job, but a strategic life model. In the years when her daughters were small, the schedule allowed her to be a present mother during the day while supplementing the family budget by night. This independence is a core value for her; she believes every woman should earn her own money to avoid dependency.
However, this flexibility comes with a heavy physical toll. Lendo manages her exhaustion by splitting her sleep into two shifts: two hours upon returning home at noon and another five before her 3 a.m. Departure. She views chronic pain in her shoulder and knee as a normal byproduct of the labor. Having fled to Switzerland due to the war in Bosnia—which prevented her from pursuing her dream of becoming a hairdresser—she now uses her experience as a lesson for her children.
«Meinen Töchtern wünsche ich ein anderes Leben.»
Lendo has taken her children to her workplace to display them the severity of the labor, urging them to see why education is vital. The strategy worked: her daughters have since studied and entered professional fields in law, education, and healthcare. «They are my greatest motivation,» she says. «When they came home with good grades, all fatigue was forgotten.»
Fighting the Circadian Low
The struggle against the body’s internal clock is not unique to Lendo. Lino Martins Azevedo, a 39-year-old security officer, begins his shift at 11 p.m. At Shoppi Tivoli in Spreitenbach, the largest shopping center in Switzerland. In the dimly lit, empty corridors, he patrols a distance of up to 25 kilometers per night.
Azevedo describes a specific window of vulnerability that aligns with biological reality. «Zwischen drei und fünf Uhr morgens wird es kritisch,» he explains. During these hours, the human performance curve hits its nadir. Body temperature drops, concentration fades, and the respiratory and digestive systems shift into relaxation mode. To combat this “critical” window, Azevedo relies on energy drinks. «I need a bit of Nitro,» he says, fighting the urge to succumb to the circadian dip.
Beyond the physical exhaustion, the psychological weight of isolation is significant. Azevedo sometimes spends entire shifts without encountering another person. To stave off loneliness, he employs a mental exercise, imagining the mall filled with people talking and moving. This solitude is a stark contrast to his home life, where he uses his daytime freedom to cook, bathe, and put his children to bed—mirroring the same familial strategy Lendo used decades prior.
Legal Protections and Health Risks
Because of the inherent strain of night work, the Swiss Labor Act (ArG) provides specific protections to minimize health risks. The law recognizes that chronic disruption of the circadian rhythm can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
| Provision | Requirement / Benefit |
|---|---|
| Financial Compensation | 25% wage supplement for temporary; 10% time supplement for regular night work. |
| Shift Duration | Maximum 9 hours of work within a 10-hour window. |
| Health Monitoring | Medical examination required after 25 nights of work per year. |
| Rest Periods | Minimum of 11 consecutive hours of rest after a night shift. |
| Right to Transfer | Employer must move worker to a day post if health problems are proven. |
The Invisible Infrastructure
The work performed by Lendo and Azevedo is essential to the functioning of Swiss society, yet it remains largely invisible to the public. Lendo ensures that the Aargauer Verkehr bus fleet is sanitized and ready for the morning rush, including the challenging task of cleaning the depot’s restrooms. Azevedo ensures that millions of euros in retail assets are secure before the first shoppers arrive.
For Azevedo, the most dangerous part of his day is not the midnight patrol, but the commute home to Germany. Driving while fighting extreme sleep deprivation requires constant vigilance; he notes that if he feels too tired, he must find a safe place to stop and rest before continuing.
«Unsere Arbeit wird oft erst bemerkt, wenn sie einmal fehlen sollte.»
This sentiment highlights a recurring theme among night workers: a desire for greater societal appreciation. Their labor allows the city to wake up to a world that is clean, safe, and operational, despite the biological and social costs they pay in the dark.
Disclaimer: The health information provided regarding circadian rhythms and the risks of night work is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personalized health concerns.
As Swiss labor discussions continue to evolve, the focus remains on balancing the economic necessity of 24-hour services with the long-term health of the workforce. The next major checkpoint for labor standards will be the ongoing reviews of the Labor Act to ensure that “time supplements” and health screenings keep pace with modern industrial demands.
Do you or a loved one work the night shift? Share your experiences or thoughts on workplace appreciation in the comments below.
