Should I take a shift work job?

[The motor guy]

Anyone have experience with a shift work type of job? For this job it sounds like most of the time they do 7/12's and then they will give you like 4 days off and then switch to night time and work 7/12 hour nights and give me like 3 days off. Does that mean im getting paid overtime or does it end up the same in the end? They told me it's atleast 40hr/week. Then I guess when it gets busy they will work us like 65hrs/week. The job itself sounds fairly easy and they didn't discuss my salary yet. I'm not sure if I could do the night shifts though. That would totally screw up my eating patterns and everything. Anyone have any experience with shift work and how it works? They did say it's primarily during the day i'll be working. I just never quite asked all the details I should have. I didn't want them to think it was going to be a big problem.

 

[GutsyGecko]

Shift work SUCKS! You will never feel tested so long as you work, because when you sleep you aren't resting because its light sleep. Your eating will suffer, and that makes you more prone to illness. I have 10 years in the steel industry and I would leave a job after experiencing this. Depends what the work is though,

 

[The motor guy]

does that mean all the time it will be shifts? Or just when they're really busy. I'm starting to wonder if it would be worth the trouble. I don't want work to wreck my whole life.

 

[eljefino]

I worked it and kinda still do (in at 4:50 am). 3-4am is worst. Your circadian rhythm will drop your body temp ~10 degrees.

In my state OT comes after two weeks and 80 hours, so if yours is the same your weird schedule may average out at only a little OT.

Busy is better than idle though. One benefit is administration is out of your hair and most of the co-workers will be crazy in a good way.

 

[dave1251]

This really is a decision that is totally yours to make. It took me nearly a year to get used to shift work when I did it for about 3 years.

There are numerous studies that have been completed on individuals that have worked shift work. Some people can do it no problems and with no ill effects. But the majority of people that work rotating shifts are at a higher risk of health problems both physical and mental.

If you do decide to take this job I recommend that you watch your diet and start a physical fitness program if you are not on one now.

 

[The motor guy]

I have a feeling this job is going to be a nightmare if I take it. I guess i'll have to see how much they pay to see if it's worth the hassle. One thing is for sure, I know know my eating pattern can get screwed up pretty easily cause I have a fast metabolism so if I go too long between a meal or if something throws off my schedule, I can have a hard time eating something even though I'm practically starving.

 

[tom slick]

Kenny Chesney sings a song about shift work:

 

[Bud]

I worked shift work for 30 years. First ten years were 7 day swing which was 7 days of graveyards with 2 days off, then 7 days of 4 to 12 with 2 days off, then 7 days of day shift and then 5 days off. Last 20 years was 4 on 4 off split between days and nights 12 hours each working day. You never get used to it , but for me the money made it worth it.

 

[Kruse]

This decision is entirely up to how your body can take it.
I worked night shift for 10 years and it was terrible because my body just couldn't sleep during the day. Yet, I had co-workers who wouldn't work any other shift but the night shift.
I did a couple of months of swing shift work and the results weren't any better, but my wife can lie down and get 7-8 hours of sleep at any hour of the day, any day of the week.

 

[Chris142]

I drove a truck for 5 yrs. Always had a different schedule. I hated it! I always felt tired but could not sleep @2pm. I gave that up and got a job with regular hours. If you were on a permanent schedule working nighs that would be better than a constantly changing sleep time.

 

[redtrucker610]

I did swing shift for 17 years. It was ok at first but after a few years I hated it.I never felt rested. I also missed so much of the early years of my kids as they were growing up. It also caused a lot of stress on my marriage. If you need the work I would say go for it. At least until you get get a regular shift job. The money was better but looking back I don't think it was worth all I missed out on.

 

[Shannow]

Power Station operators down here used to be 8 hour shifts. 8AM-4PM, 4PM to midnight, Midnight to 8AM...I did a little of it when we commissioned power stations, but the was 8AM to midnight, midnight to 8AM, on a roster.

They've moved to 7AM-7PM, 7PM to 7AM 12 hour shifts, 3 on 3 off, 3 on, 4 off (I think), that are much more employee friendly I understand.

Big recommendation from those who work shift is to have a "workday routine" that you don't vary on workdays.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

Our night guys work 12 hour shifts, 3 days on, 4 days off, and then 4 days on, three days off the following week. What you are being offered flat out sucks.

 

[bvance554]

It really depends on what the alternative is to not taking this job. If it gets you out of unemployment then take the job and....like stop whining.

 

[dcf]

How much money is involved ? Try it.
If you hate it move on .

 

[SLCraig]

I work shift work, I hate it.
I somehow have to figure out how to make enough money to take a 9-5 job, because that's almost all I care about anymore, I don't even care what the work is. Just want regular hours.

 

[The motor guy]

They didn't offer me a salary yet. I still need to get more details on the work schedule I suppose.

 

[ddrumman2004]

12 hour days get old quick. Did for me when I was working.

I had one job where we worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week for 4 months straight. Did that shift several times while working there.

I hated it! The more money I made, the more the govt took in taxes. I was young too....in my 30s! Did I say I hated it?

You may like it though.

 

[The motor guy]

Maybe i'll stick to trying to find a plumbing job then. Start off as an apprentice. Hopefully I can get on with a company that isn't 24/7. Sorry guys I know those who have followed me know I've given you guys the runaround as far as what jobs I should try to do. Honestly this job sounds like it has a lot of string attached. I've had a lot happen in the last year and a half so I had to put a lot on hold. My mom fought breast cancer for 1.5 years and recently passed away. I'm already unhappy enough as it is and flipping my entire day upside literally probably wont help much.

 

[spackard]

Around here road crews and train repairs are done during off-prime hours. You'd be very likely to have commute problems. Just another thing to consider that you might not have thought of.