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

pathtofreedom

motorguy wrote: »

Sounds like a bad set up you have there.

If you're being required to do that much overtime, theres a problem somewhere.

Any more than one week on call out of four, or a couple of weekends in a row overtime, and i'd be flagging it as a problem.

And if your company are telling you thats "normal" in IT - it isnt.

Depends just what sort of IT you're doing I guess. My last 4 jobs over 10 years have been like this. I don't do oncall in this job which helps, so it is all planned work so to speak, but when you have mission critical projects that have to go live by a certain date, and parts of it needs changes on live systems then you have to work the hours the maintenance windows allow. Especially in global companies where you could have Middle east services shared with europe and us on the same servers, it leaves interesting support windows.

I'm stuck where I am until I can move and get my new mortgage, then I'm going contracting again, but even when I was contracting a 60 hour week would be a quiet one. 80-100 weeks are much more typical. If you don't like it they just make you redundant first, or cancel your contract as there are enough people willing to do it still, or the jobs just get offshored to countries that will.

ohreally

pathtofreedom wrote: »

If you don't like it they just make you redundant first

The post becomes redundant, not the individual.

20aday

I work 52 hours a week where I'm employed.

At this time of the year (and I'm sure it's the case for many people) it seems like "tough going" heading to/from work with the dark mornings and evenings.

Some years ago I worked three weeks solid without a single day off... Tiring, yes? Barbaric? No.

Whilst I might complain about my job from time to time I know my career is a damn sight easier than people who care for loved ones, work for the NHS etc.

Torry_Quine

ohreally wrote: »

Many nursing staff have little choice but do them.

It can be 7 12 hour night shifts in a row!

pathtofreedom

ohreally wrote: »

The post becomes redundant, not the individual.

You'd think so but no. Not since they watered down the tribunals so much. 100 people were made redundant where I was before christmas, I narrowly escaped. They are now hiring contractors to replace them, but won't let the people they made redundant come back to do their old jobs. So it is losing decades of experience just to appease shareholders. In the next two years they've said they want to replace us all with long term contractors. The job and the amount of work isn't decreasing, they just don't want to outsource fully, or to have perm employees any more. The union doesn't seem to be doing anything to stop this either.

I have been made redundant before, where the job was made redundant and not just the people ,but not this time. I have my escape plan all worked out so I'm fine. The people that have been there 10 years or more and can't even imagine getting another job in their 50's or going contracting are the ones I feel sorry for. If I had refused to work months in a row without a day off I would have been one of the ones let go before christmas as well.

DCFC79

No OP we shouldn't ban the 12 hour shifts, there's employees out there who enjoy the shifts, why change something that doesn't need changing.

nomoneyme

I don't think 12 hour shifts should be banned as they do suit some people. However, I don't think they should be compulsory either. I am a nurse in a private nursing home and the company only employs nursing/care staff on 12 hour shifts (they are actually 12.5 hour shifts but there is a 30 min unpaid break) and at the age of 59 I am finding it increasingly difficult. We are always short staffed, as are most nursing/care homes, but by insisting on these long shifts we are excluding many potential employees eg. single parents who would need to arrange childcare at both ends of the day. I have looked around for another position but these 12 hour shifts just seem to be the norm now. Another example of the care industry shooting itself in the foot.

DCFC79

No they shouldn't be compulsory, as long as the ours are detailed in the job description or explained to staff who are interested in doing the 12 hour shifts then I don't see a problem.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

motorguy wrote: »

Sounds like a bad set up you have there.

If you're being required to do that much overtime, theres a problem somewhere.

Any more than one week on call out of four, or a couple of weekends in a row overtime, and i'd be flagging it as a problem.

And if your company are telling you thats "normal" in IT - it isnt.

It's not that unusual, but in my experience it's for those that choose to. Work 9-5 5 days a week for 30-40K a year or work like that for 50-60K a year, for example. You gets paid your money and you takes your choice, so to speak. Depends on the company, of course; and the reward will not come immediately but at your salary review a year after you've been putting in the hours so you need to know the company you are working for.... I'm sure there are some individuals and companies where the extra work isn't properly rewarded.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

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?

My opinion is that there are far more things that are 'barbaric' than 12 hour shifts. Definition of barbaric: savagely cruel.

Each and every person has a choice as to where and for whom they work. That said. I don't consider 12 hours shifts to be ideal but in many cases they are necessary.