Changing shifts

MartialArtMan

The company I work for is changing our shift pattern from 3x12hrs to 6-2 & 2-10 plus a permanent night shift 5 x 8 hours.

So my options are to go on 6-2 & 2-10 (alternating weeks) or 10-6 every week. If I take the former I'll lose £2000 per year and the latter will be an extra £1000 a year. So obviously looking at the money it would be best to have the night shift. I also have 2 children who are at school and I'm thinking that when I'm 2-10 I won't see them for that whole week, apart from a little while in the morning.

So I think my mind is made up, I'd like to do the night shift however I am concerned about what its going to be like doing it permanently. Has anyone go any advice or experience?

ceridwen

I'm getting slightly confused here - as someone who has never done shift work - by the times you mention. Would it be possible to spell it out a bit on this please?

When you say "night shift" is the bit thats confusing me most - as in do you mean during sleeping hours or is 2-10 actually 2pm-10pm and no question of working when you're due to be sleeping?

Emmzi

I think his nioght shift is 10pm to 6 am - certainly is where I work.

Or he can go some weeks on 6am to 2pm, and some on lates at 2pm to 10pm.

nickcc

I worked both three shift (including nights) and permanent nights many years ago. The disruption to your Family will be considerable if you change to permanent nights. I used to get home about 7 am and straight to bed, getting up about 2 pm. During this time my Wife used to try to keep the children quiet and all other loud noises as low as possible. Your sleep would always be interupted by the normal routine of others (paper, milk, post etc) which resulted in one grumpy Father and night shift worker. I always thought i would have loads more free time and be able to catch up on all the diy jobs i had missed and more time to enjoy the children. Never happened as i was always too knackered. This, of course, is just my opinion some people may enjoy working nights but not me.