Working nights but can't take it

kevinUK_2

Hello, i am just looking for some information really.

i have been in employment for the last 6 months, at the same place, so i guess i should think myself lucky. The problem is they have me on nights and i've been trying to get used to it but i can't. I have asked numerous times for them to put me on day shift but they keep giving me the run around.

I have suffered from depression in the past, taking sertaline and prozac. I have since felt better, but the old feelings are creeping back. I want to stay in work because i feel it helps a bit, but at the same time night shift is really getting to me. I have lost weight due to not being able to eat properly like i used to in the day, i am lacking sleep to so am always feeling down and tired. Night shift is not helping me at all.

I was wondering if i have any rights at all? as an agency worker. If not could i claim JSA or something on health grounds. I really have tried, i have spoken to my agency supervisor, the company supervisor and manager. They have all said 'we will sort something' but nothing has been yet. This has been going on for 3 months and i'm at the end of my tether.

Any help would be much appreciated.

HappyMJ

You need to see your GP first. Your GP will assess you and help you by possibly giving you a note only allowing work in the day time due your depression or your GP may sign you off work completely. Once signed off work you can claim SSP (statutory sick pay) until that runs out then you can claim ESA. You can look for other work during this time.

If you were to quit without going to the GP first you may find yourself sanctioned and won't get JSA for a preiod of time.

Jomo

How about looking for another job independently?

Maybe you could put more pressure on the agency representative, tell them that you are considering to leave altogether. If you feel this is a waste of time then I would just look for myself, maybe contact other agencies as well.

Better to be in a job when applying for a new job.

paddedjohn

Give it a bit more time and it gets easier, I've worked nights for 5 yrs now and it's ok. I find I get more time to myself on my down days and get to do things I wouldn't be able to do if I worked traditional hours.

scooby088

OP I would say look for another job whilst in work, I have done nights on a rotating basis before and whilst it was ok doing it one in three, it really put me out of sync with everything else in my life.

I believe that not everyone is suited to nights, I would ask the agency for another job on days or just keep looking for yourself until something comes along.

StrongWork

As a proportion of your month, how many of those are nights and how many of those are days?

How many night shifts do you do in a week? How many days do you get off

How often are the night shifts?

SarEl

HappyMJ wrote: »

You need to see your GP first. Your GP will assess you and help you by possibly giving you a note only allowing work in the day time due your depression or your GP may sign you off work completely. Once signed off work you can claim SSP (statutory sick pay) until that runs out then you can claim ESA. You can look for other work during this time.

If you were to quit without going to the GP first you may find yourself sanctioned and won't get JSA for a preiod of time.

This is agency work. So I'm afraid that the OP works the times the agency says, or the client tells the agency they need workers - or you don't work. The client cannot be asked to make a reasonable adjustment - the OP isn't their employee. And I certainly wouldn't be suggesting that the OP hands over a sick note or asks for a reasonable adjustment on the basis of mental illness unless they are prepared to have no further work from that agency. Advertising that you may be "unreliable" is not a good move when the agency does not have to offer work at all. It isn't a position that I would subscribe to, but I am afraid it may very well be one the agency would - workers are ten a penny to them, and it's easy to lose one. I would agree that the best thing to do is to tell the agency that the OP simply cannot adapt to night shifts and to look for work during the day.

dandelionclock30

I once had a night job but I couldnt stick it- same as you really I couldnt sleep during the day, I lost loads of weight and was tired all night.
I quit and said it didnt suit me. I got JSA straight away( this was a few years ago though).
I would ask the agency again for something during the day and look around for other day time work first. If then you still cant get anything to need to find out the best way to finish. Your health and wellbeing come first.

TrickyWicky

Having done night work in a couple of jobs I can see both sides of the fence here.

On the day side, it's depressing doing nightwork, you don't see many people, you're often alone, it's dark, depressing and can interfere with sleep etc..

On the night side you're often without a nagging boss, pay rate may be slightly higher, you can often have an easier time of it at work, you don't get a lot of greif, can often have a quick nap without being caught (just remember to set an alarm lol) and management will often see you as doing them a favour for being up all night to keep the place going.

You need a certain mentality to be able to do night work. If you're a natural night own like me then you don't find it hard to do it but if you're someone who loves to see the sun (or cloud) then there is no point even bothering imo as it will just make you miserable. Some people might call you lazy or a light weight for not wanting to do it but not everyone can cope with nightwork. If I were you, I'd look for another job instead.