legality of shift pattern?

Stovepipe

Hi all,
A colleague applied for a job in a well known aircraft overhaul firm in Shannon. When he asked for details of the roster/shift, he was told that it would be 11 x 12 hour days in a row, one day off, then another long stretch of long days, followed by 2 days off. How is this legal?

the_syco

Did he agree to the shift?

Stovepipe

Hi there,
He said he'd give it a go but jacked it in. He'd retired from our place and was bored at home and got told of a slot available so gave it a go.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Stovepipe wrote: »

Hi all,
A colleague applied for a job in a well known aircraft overhaul firm in Shannon. When he asked for details of the roster/shift, he was told that it would be 11 x 12 hour days in a row, one day off, then another long stretch of long days, followed by 2 days off. How is this legal?

He's not allowed to work an average of more than 48 hours a week over a 4-month time period. While base on the information above, this is something in the region of 66 hours per work. However, if were to get an entire week off at some point (not counting holiday leave) this would redress the balance.

More information here.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/hours_of_work/working_week.html

Stovepipe

It sounded like a complete pisstake when I heard it first, but it was regarded as normal. He had been doing the four-on, four off with us, which is an industry standard but I assumed that an 11-day run with one day off afterwards is illegal from the point of view of rest, if nothing else.

coffeepls

There's a bit in the middle of this citizens advice page re. rest - if that's any use.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/hours_of_work/rest_periods_and_breaks.html

JakeArmitage

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

He's not allowed to work an average of more than 48 hours a week over a 4-month time period. While base on the information above, this is something in the region of 66 hours per work. However, if were to get an entire week off at some point (not counting holiday leave) this would redress the balance.

More information here.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/hours_of_work/working_week.html

LOL , that's definitely being abused by a load of multi national companies

Skuxx

I think it's also required to get 2 days off every 12! By any chance was your friend working as a contractor through an agency? I know contractors in one such aircraft maintenance firm work a shift like you mentiond but permanent staff do not!
I'm not sure of the legality but contractors typically aren't around for 4 months straight so wouldn't be going over the average!

therecklessone

The maximum number of days you can be rostered consecutively for is 18, which still allows for one day off at the start of week 1 and two days off at the end of week 3.

As for the hours, the princess is right.

Stovepipe

He might have been a connie, I'll check......How can you be rostered for 18 days straight?

davo10

Stovepipe wrote: »

He might have been a connie, I'll check......How can you be rostered for 18 days straight?

Contractors are self employed, not employees, generally if you are a contractor, the more you work, the more you earn. If a self employed contractor doesn't want to work a particular shift pattern then the company has to get another contractor to work and that one gets paid. Self employed tend to have a different outlook to the employed as no work means no pay so for the most part contractors want all the hours they can get within reason.

therecklessone

Stovepipe wrote: »

He might have been a connie, I'll check......How can you be rostered for 18 days straight?

You are legally entitled to one day off per week, but your day off can be deferred provided a second day off is provided in the following week.

Therefore a shift pattern of the following is possible:

1 off/6 on
7 on
5 on/2 off

davo10

therecklessone wrote: »

You are legally entitled to one day off per week, but your day off can be deferred provided a second day off is provided in the following week.

Therefore a shift pattern of the following is possible:

1 off/6 on
7 on
5 on/2 off

Does that apply if you are self employed?

Senna

davo10 wrote: »

Does that apply if you are self employed?

If you are self employed you dictate your own hours, you can only complain to yourself.

Stovepipe

I don't want to fly in an aircraft that has been maintained by a man who has worked 18 days straight. he probably can't spell his name after 18 days....I worked on the oil rigs and we did 28 on, 28 off and the first few days after coming off rig and flying home was just a blur...

the_syco

Stovepipe wrote: »

I don't want to fly in an aircraft that has been maintained by a man who has worked 18 days straight

It's not unheard of for Junior Doctors to work 24 hour shifts in Irish hospitals.

con___manx1

I worked 10 on 2 off, all 12 hour day shifts. It was in oz in a cotton gin. I doubt it was legal over there : )