Thread: Shift work

I worked 12 hour shifts overnight for about 4 years. We worked from 1745-0615. One of the nice things is that I got every other weekend off. I changed positions and have been on days fro several years. I still don't like getting up early but it is easier for family life working days. I was never someone who could "flip flop" my sleep schedule easily. Guess I am too much of a whimp.

Originally Posted by Bigirishkev

I've been working various shift systems for a few years now, ever since the construction industry in Ireland went belly up.
I'm currently working in an auto parts factory doing a variation of continental shifts with no weekend work (except overtime which is well compensated). It's by far the best shift system I've worked but coming off nightshift mode is still really difficult and I'm like a grumpy bear at times.
Any other members work shifts?
How do you adjust from night mode to days?

I do a week of 12 hour days, a week of 12 hour nights then a week off.
I try to stay up on the day after my last night shift and go to bed about 7 or 8 PM. I will usually sleep around 12 hours that night. My sleep still isn't great, I doze off in the evenings quite often and end up waking at odd hours, yesterday I was up at 4.15 and today it was about 2.45.

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

if i'm on night shift anything beyond 12 hours is dangerous - sometimes I wonder how I manage to drive home...
Day shift anything beyond 12 and I want to punch somebody...
Can't hack working like that anymore - need my own time, to wind down and do what I want to do.

Not to change the subject, but how is everyones vacation time?
My last job I had 4 weeks only gained that 4th week at 15 yrs.
Current job I have 2 weeks and 3 days - But when I take off I have to use 12hrs. a day because of woking 12 hour shifts

I think I get 5 weeks a year, if we take holiday we get paid for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Due to our roster of 2 weeks on one week off I can take 2 weeks paid and get a total of 4 weeks off in one go.

I get 4 weeks a year, 12 hrs holiday pay, and my schedule is such that if I take one vacation day on the right night, I can take 7 days off

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I do a week of 12 hour days, a week of 12 hour nights then a week off.
I try to stay up on the day after my last night shift and go to bed about 7 or 8 PM. I will usually sleep around 12 hours that night. My sleep still isn't great, I doze off in the evenings quite often and end up waking at odd hours, yesterday I was up at 4.15 and today it was about 2.45.

Are you a miserable git when you come off nights Ed?
I finished this morning, took 4 hours sleep and then lots of caffeine. Thankfully it was sunny so I was out cutting the grass.
Now the caffeine has been replaced by alcohol and all is well

Originally Posted by Bigirishkev

Are you a miserable git when you come off nights Ed?
I finished this morning, took 4 hours sleep and then lots of caffeine. Thankfully it was sunny so I was out cutting the grass.
Now the caffeine has been replaced by alcohol and all is well

Yep, but I am a miserable git a lot of the time according to Mrs ed
I am more short tempered on the first day after nights and usually a bit edgy too. I try to just potter around, at the moment my pottering project is sorting out all the crap in my shed.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Yep, but I am a miserable git a lot of the time according to Mrs ed
I am more short tempered on the first day after nights and usually a bit edgy too. I try to just potter around, at the moment my pottering project is sorting out all the crap in my shed.

I've been doing shift work for 6 years and my wife is still surprised that I'm ill tempered coming off night

Originally Posted by Bigirishkev

I've been doing shift work for 6 years and my wife is still surprised that I'm ill tempered coming off night

Does she suffer from short term memory loss or something?
even my 7 year old daughter Knows I will be a bit off on my first day home. My family only have to put up with one day of it as I work away and live in accommodation provided by work while I am there, I don't know how the locals with young families manage.

I felt the need to share with the group. On the new contract, we have changed most of the plant from five 8hr days, to three 12hr days (stilll getting paid for 40hrs as long as we are on time & don't miss days).

The good news, they added enough full time positions that I was able to go from full time vacation/sick leave relief "floater" to a fixed job & schedule .

The bad news. Because we will have 4 days off a week, they are getting rid of the personal days. As a result, everybody has been trying to burn through them. 5 out of the last 6 weeks have been hell for me. Most of my work week has been a bunch of on 8, off 12, on 8, off 12, etc., lather & repeat.

We are getting the pay for the unused personal days, +$25/day IIRC. I don't see why people felt the need to burn through them! Just take the fricken money! Got me bouncing around more than a ping pong ball.

Maybe later I will post pics of my schedule to show y'all what I'm talkin about.

I worked midnight shift for more than 20 yrs. I LOVED IT!
Switched to day shift (promotion) and a regular day shift is NOT my favorite. Liked working nights and having the day to myself. Less annoying people to deal with!
Never had to take time off for appointments etc...
Yes there were times I had to leave functions early or arrive late but I didn't mind it.