Shouldn't we abolish 12h shifts as a society?

Takeaway_Addict

VeryMan wrote: »

I believe 12h shifts are barbaric. There are some professions that have to do so long hours, ie. a pilot cannot take a break from a long fight. But these people (employers) abuse millions of people with those "continental" shifts, instead of hiring more people. I find this middle age! what is your opinion?

No, if you don't like it then leave.

RADDERS

My husband works a continental shift pattern, 2 twelve hour days then 2 twelve hours nights then 4 days off, repeat 7 times and then 18 days off. He and I both love it we have free time to ourselves and he loves the days off. He has been doing this shift pattern for over 15 years now and I thing it averages out at something like 142 days a year working and gets 5 sets of 18 days off per year, the only down side is holidays have to be taken in the 18 days and you don't get bookable holidays so if you have children this could be problematic as they don't always fall in the school holidays. If you need a day off you swap with colleagues on another shift. Works for us.

ohreally

3X12 hour shifts and working week completed-thanks very much, sign me up.

Ozzuk

No. I don't think we should impose our preferences on society as a whole.

patman99

There's one employer in Colchester who has a 15 hour shift. Mind you, the shift is basicaly work 2 hours, 15 minute break, work 2 hours, 30 minute break, work 2 hours 15 minute break, work 2 hours, 30 minute break, work 2 hours, 15 minute break, work to end of shift.

Employees all have the choice of standing or sitting whilst undertaking the work.

Only downside, no shift allowance and only NMW.

xapprenticex

Man, you guys are making these 12 hour shifts seems very attractive. .. 5 sets of 18 days off!!??!!?? Im in.

Miss_Moneysaver

My new job involves three 12 hour nightshifts a month with 7.5 hr shifts slotted in elsewhere. I would rather do three 12 hour shifts a week (day or night) so I had 4 days off. It would be better for childcare.

SomeRandomGuy

To suggest 12 hour shifts are 'abusive' seems a tad ridiculous to me. I think it is personal choice and comes down to lifestyle preference .

I think 9am - 5pm 5 days a week is tedious. What makes it worse is you are usually forced to have your days off at the weekends along with everyone else meaning all the roads and shops are jammed plus local parks and attractions are full of kids. If you work every weekday it is really hard to get to the doctor/dentist/bank/ and so on.

Some of the shift patterns described here sound very desirable to me. I really like the idea of 3 days on 4 off, 4 on 3 off, etc. For those without childcare concerns I can see a real advantages to condensing the working week into 3 or 4 days and perhaps even getting paid more because of the shift pattern. Where can I find such a job please?

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't mind working say 3x12hr shifts then say 3xdays off etc. I wouldn't work 12 hour shifts 5 days a week, that would be a killer.

michelle09

It's also not feasible in some professions either. Both my husband and I work for the emergency services which are 24/7 and involve shifts. My husband does 10 hour shifts and averages at four days a week.


I can choose to do five 'short' shifts or three long shifts. There's a fair mix of people doing both. Just because I don't like a set of hours, doesn't mean someone else won't. So I'd never object to a particular set of hours (unless it was compulsory for me to change to them!)