Shift-work - New job dilemma

termon8r

Hi,

I have been offered a new job which involves shift-work. The 3 shifts are 7-3, 3-11, 11-7.

Currently I am in a 9 to 5 job and I am trying to decide whether or not to take this position on. Obviously the pay will increase with the shift-work but not sure if working during the week-end appeals to me right now.

if anyone has an experience with working shift please let me know how they find it and maybe list some advantages and disadvantages that I may not have thought of.

Cheers.

Nody

If you're not single don't do it, shift work tends to destroy social life and sleep in general.

Dan133269

whether it's long time or short term really makes a world of difference.
I worked shift work for 3 months, not a problem, but if I had to face it for a few years I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be. You can't train with a sports club, can't go out every weekend, can't watch your regular television programs, and your diet will probably suffer due to drinking and eating sugary stuff to get you through the long hours. If you need the money however, sacrifices need to be made. Best of luck anyway

tipp86

I done it for 9 months on a full time basis! 3 and a half years part time.

Would i advise it not particulary.

I worked 3 days and then 3 off, 3 nights 3 off and they were 12 hour shifts.

The thing with the job was that there was 30 holidays per year and that ringing in sick was pretty acceptable so this made it pretty ok.

If i was working with an outfit that were not quiet as kind with these kind of things im not sure i would do it.

You say you have been offered a new job the main question i ask is do you still have a job? If so id keep it, if not in this current economic climate id take the job on shift as something is better than nothing.

One thing is for certain once you start on shift you will allways talk about getting off it.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Eurorunner

Been doing it for fast approaching 6 years! Is it the option for you? Answer lies with you and your own personal circumstances.

If you are very socially motivated - then steer clear. You will be out of sync with the majority of your peers when it comes to social events, etc.
If you can put up with that then there are some good advantages. Being off on week days when everyone else is working is great. Everywhere is open if you need to get stuff done.
Do you have to 'swing' from shift to shift or do you get left on one of the shifts that you mentioned? For night work, to a certain extent, it depends on the person. There are those rare individuals that say they love it. For the vast majority, theres no way that you could love it - or that your body can hack it. Its a seriously unhealthy shift. Did it for a couple of years and would have to be seriously desperate to find myself back on it again. Humans were not designed to work nights..simply as. With the exception of critical services, nightwork should be outlawed. Your social life (along with your basic existance!) will suffer most on this shift.
As regards evening shift, my very first proper job years ago was evening shift and it was fine. You can still get a decent nights kip - and great for those you find it hard to turn out in the morning! Again, your friends will be in the pub while your working.
And the day shift you mentioned is fine obviously.
hth

termon8r

Thanks everyone for your comments.

The thing is that in my current job, I have a long commute (approx 2 hours) which is tough going. The new job is half the commuting distance and traveling to the shift start times will mean minimal traffic.

The job being offered will be guaranteed security which is important in current times while I am uncertain about my current job.

I am married with a young daughter and my sporting days are behind me (unfortunately!) and most of my social days

Having some time off during the week appeals to me so that I can mind my child and safe on some child care costs.

I suppose I just need to weigh up the pros and cons and probably make one of the biggest decisions of my life. I am 10 years with my current employer and it will be hard to leave.

Thanks to all.

brightspark

Speaking from my own recent experience of working 12hr shifts for 5 months (I left if when I was offered a day work job nearer to home)

Don't assume that you will have lots more time off due to the shift work you will spend a lot of time either trying to sleep before going to work or else being asleep afterwards.

Also consider how quiet/noisy your local environment is during the day, that includes how much noise your daughter makes!
My father worked shifts for most of his working life and some of my early memories involve being constantly told to keep quiet and not wake him up.

However the 8Hr shifts are easier usually than 12Hr shifts as only one week in three involves "night" work as opposed to unsociable hours.

If you do decide to do it, invest in a pair of blindfolds to help block out the daylight while you sleep (or even better curtains) and possibly earplugs, but then you may need to get someone to wake you up!

I recommend that you don't do it if you are the sort of person who can only eat dinner etc at a certain time of the day without it affecting them.

7-3 and 3-11 aren't too bad. Done it loads of times. Even if you're finishing at 11, you can still eat your dinner and be in bed by 12-12.30, and even if you're starting at 7, you can usually make use of the rest of the day and evening. Your day is pretty much normal. I had no problem and I get tired very easily.

The night shift is another question, as it totally screws up your sleep patterns and will affect your life. Will you have to do it on a regular basis? I'd have to be desperate to work overnight, tbh.

dcukhunter

I work the night shift 6pm - 8am 4 nights and dont mind it one bit. Very rarely have any bother sleeping and if you need to do anything eg get to the bank its easy to do as your off. But its realy up to yourself and your own situation.

IsThatSo?

My other half used to have v similiar shifts to this, though not on an ongoing basis, he used to fill in. When our first child was on the way we called a halt to it. I just felt that it would be too much responsibility for me. Now of course that was our first child and I hadn't a clue what we were doing and ok, it ended up not being as scary as I thought it would be, but tbh I would prefer to have the help with the children than the extra money.

What does your partner think? Evenings/nights can be very long on your own with a small child, especially if they are sick or teething.

The long commute is a total pain though, I get that and probably really cuts into your time with your daughter

termon8r

I am still waiting on confirmation on how exactly the shift-work will operate. All I know is that there are 4 teams of 4 with one team off every day. Therefore the week will probably consist of a combination of all shifts.

My wife and I have talked at length about this and although I really want to help raise our daughter as much as I possibly can, the pressure of a sizable mortgage is putting us under pressure.

Suppose I really need to find out exact details and determine how much it will effect us on a day to day basis.

Thanks again.

bbam

Hi.. i've been working shifts for 12 years now.. Don't underestimate the damage this does to your health.. there are many studies out there.. My biggest problem is insominia which is reaching critical mass..

There are however the benifets of additional premium and the time off is great for child minding..

I think its possible to work shifts ofr a few years without problems... Just don't push it too far

dragonfly!

is this in a hotel?
Ive worked these hours and as some people have mentioned its nice to have your days off during the week as shops are quieter and like you said you might save on childcare.
HOWEVER doing back to back shifts really got to me after a while - leaving work at 11 (would often be later by the time the night porter got in or if you get delayed by a guest for example),
I found it really difficult to get to sleep straight after work would usually be about half 12/1 before getting to sleep, then up at 6.30 to be in on time the next morning.....
If you dont need a lot of sleep go for it otherwises think carefully:)

if you are doing back to back shifts it effectivly means that out of 24 hours you spend 16 of them in work - would this be a problem with regards to seeing your child?


Hope that helps:)

Serafijn

dragonfly! wrote: »

leaving work at 11 . . . then up at 6.30 to be in on time the next morning

That doesn't sound entirely legal...

If you're finishing work at 11pm you shouldn't be starting your next shift until at least 10am, since you're entitled to 11 hours off between shifts. If I were you I would raise this with the manager, as you can't be expected to work a full shift on 4 hours sleep!

dragonfly!

yeah because its in the hotel/tourism trade the 11 hour break rule doesnt apply..... its ok as long as we get 24 hours off together the following week. Or something like that anyway.

It was the same in other hotels that various members of staff have worked in.

I dont work there anymore anyway!:D

micks

I'm working 12 hr shifts for last 6 yrs. TBH i cant see myself going back to 9-5 anytime soon. Shift is all about how it suits you you, I found it great to reduce the need for a child minder to almost never.The way my roster falls i work 2 shifts one week and 5 the next so if i plan my hols i can take 12 seperate weeks off a year! Money is a bit better and if you dont mind the un social hrs you're on a winner. 8 hr shifts IMO would be fairly handy to get through. It is very important to try get fit and eat as healthy as you can though.

piby

I've done occasional shift work over the last couple of years while I've been in college and I've no problem with them. Over the summer I was doing a few 6pm to 6am-ers and it was grand. That said I was on summer hols from college so I literally had nothing else to worry about and it was only 2/3 times a week. I don't know if I could do it if I was working more and had a wife/kids as well.

I know it's been said to death but seriously the most important thing with shift work is to watch your diet. At those sort of hours if you don't bring food in with you the only places open tend to be fast food joints/takeaways etc. and if you're not careful you'll quickly become quite unhealthy.

timmywex

Tbh, woudl depend on the shift work for me, the type of work!

Some places, fire service for example, you can go asleep if your want, and hope you dont get a call, other jobs, working in a shop, you are always on the go doing something, which would be pretty turing id say!

Strontium Dogg

shift work is ok once you get the extra money, find out how the shift works first, i can't see how 4 shifts can work a3 shift pattern usually a 24/7 company do the continental shift ie 2 12hr days a chinese day off(24 hours 8pm to 8 pm then 2 12hr nights then 4 days off (the first of which you spend till 1 in bed or wrecked till you crash at 8pm) which cycles every 2 months meaning you work 42hrs/week (3hrs overtime?) or the 5 12hr days/nights followed by 2 weekend days/nights or something similar, the first being my fav as you are well rested for the first night and you don't care about the second as you have 4 days off after