When I first started in ATC (back in the mid 60's) I was an Assistant at Heathrow. Our night shift was 12 hours, 20:00 - 08:00.
Unoffically, it was the practice to split the watch into 2 halves. Once the evening's traffic had died down, one half got their heads down from about midnight to about 03:30. The other half worked through until relieved by those who had slept. Once relieved, the half that had worked through went home.
One foggy night, one of them on his motor cycle was killed on the way home.
Many questions were asked by senior management as to why he was not at work. There was talk of witholding some of the benefits due to his family.
Fortunately the supervisor had the presence of mind to sign him off sick in the attendance register once we heard of the accident, so the family received what was due.
Be careful on the way home when you are on an "early go"
Reg