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

BigAunty

ohreally wrote: »

The post becomes redundant, not the individual.

I worked for a company that undertook a personal performance review for all of its staff at certain grades, to mark their performance. It canned the bottom 10% of what it deemed to be the weakest performers. It was going to do that with the next couple of grades.

So if that's not individual, I don't know what is.

I was told I could apply for the vacancy of a departed colleague so the role was still there.

Broadwood

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?

By choice I rarely work more than 36 hours a week. If all my shifts were 12 hour shifts that would mean only three shifts per week, but as they are usually between 8 and 10 hours each I have to work four shifts.

I took voluntary redundancy in 2005 after 25 years service. Best decision I ever made. I've worked for the same employer for the last 8 years on a zero-hours contract. Much better work/life balance.

Each shift costs me about £3 in diesel and 40 minutes travel time.

Therefore long shifts would be far better for my pocket and my leisure time.

duchy

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

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.

£10K a year (less tax and NI) more for no life doesn't sound like a great deal frankly.

I (and my ex husband) worked at a large global IT consultancy with an ethos of evening and weekend unpaid overtime for salaried IT staff . The staff turnover was ridiculous and there were some fairly dramatic "burn out" stories too. I think a lot of IT professionals do it for a few years then it dawns on them there is more to life than work and have a rethink- some get out, others feel trapped .

daytona0

I once played in a charity poker game which lasted for 50 consecutive hours without sleep (an unofficial world record at the time). The proper fatigue only hit after about 18 hours of play.

If a job wasn't too taxing, like my current position, then I would quite happily polish off an 18 hours shift! It would only take around 2 shifts to meet your weekly hour quota!

I would also consider 3 in and 4 off as possibly a good working pattern too! Much better than 5 in 2 off!

mgdavid

ohreally wrote: »

Many nursing staff have little choice but do them.

12-hour shifts are becoming increasingly common: 32% of nurses on acute wards in England work day shifts of 12 hours or longer

so 68% of nurses on acute wards *don't* work 12 hour shifts. Then consider all those that *don't* work on acute wards at all, and all those that *don't* work for the NHS, not many work 12 hour shifts at all then..... maybe.

Tygermoth

Ahhh i loved my 12 hours nights - I would run 16 together then have 16 off. Then 8 then 8 off then back to 16 on to 16 off in rotation.

I just seemed to be off all the time, in the summer it was brilliant. Sleep in the morning - afternoon in the sunshine - go to work do that for what didn't seem that long - then bam! two weeks off.

Due to a staff shortage i once did a month of nights and had 6 weeks off - which seemed like a great idea at the the time when they were touting 6 weeks off. But There is a point when you tip over where the effort outweighs the gain. I was so shattered it took me three weeks to feel right.

After that i solidly stayed on my 16/16 & 8/8 rotation. it was just the right balance.

Kernow666

where I work we have 12hrs shifts but its optional , I do them as it means I can work 3 and then on 4th day do a couple hours and then have a few days off

Miss_Moneysaver

I think that 12 hour shifts are a good idea. I work in the NHS but we don't do 12 hour shifts where I work (however, my new job includes 3x12 hour nightshifts a month). I work 3 days a week now (23 hrs) but, since I was relocated, I have a 2.5-3hr daily commute. So, for me, I would gladly do 2x12 hour shifts to save on commuting time and childcare. My eldest is at secondary and goes out to school himself and I am sure we could cope with me working until 8pm two nights a week.
I do, however, realise that not everyone can do 12 hour shifts (childcare for younger children and age of employee).


Employees should be given a choice.


My new job is full time! I haven't worked full time since 2004! I would prefer 12 hour days and nights but hey ho!