4 on 4 off or 9-5
Discussion
DMN said:
Register1 said:
DMN said:
I did 4 on, 4 off for just over two years. Its great in that you get loads of time off, ok you lose a bit recovering from nights, but our rotation was 4 days followed by 4 nights. So after the last day shift you had in effect 5 days off.
On the other hand it can be hard if your partner/spouse/mates work during the week and then your on shift during the weekend.
4 days, followed by 4 nights, then followed by 4 off is not the normal pattern.On the other hand it can be hard if your partner/spouse/mates work during the week and then your on shift during the weekend.
Generally, 4 days, then 4 off, then 4 nights, then 4 off.
Or 2 days, followed by 2 nights, followed by 4 off
So your saying 8 shifts, followed by 4 off.
That's just crazy
I read it as you did 4 days, followed by 4 nights then 4 off.
My bad.
please excuse.
R1
HOGEPH said:
I do 4 on 4 on, 12 hour shifts, 4 days off is useful, 2 days off wouldn't be enough now.
Yeah,By booking my 2 days, and 2 nights off, ( 4 shifts) I get 12 days vacation.
So it's the 4 off days before the 4 holiday shifts, + the 4 holiday shifts + the 4 off days = 12
Brilliant
R1
rb5er said:
I used to do 2days, 2nights, 4 off. 12 hr shifts. It was an absolute nightmare, avoid at all costs.
Your 1st day on fine, 2nd day on fine, 1st night, you can't do much in the day as you have to go to work later, then you are knackered during the shift, bed at 7am, can't sleep (especially in summer). Then the next night comes and if you managed to sleep at all in the day (day wasted either knackered or asleep) you are lucky and can do another night shift. Then your 1st day off is wasted as you are either sleeping or knackered all day.
Vicious cycle of hell. f
k that ever again.
I would agree with the poster above.Your 1st day on fine, 2nd day on fine, 1st night, you can't do much in the day as you have to go to work later, then you are knackered during the shift, bed at 7am, can't sleep (especially in summer). Then the next night comes and if you managed to sleep at all in the day (day wasted either knackered or asleep) you are lucky and can do another night shift. Then your 1st day off is wasted as you are either sleeping or knackered all day.
Vicious cycle of hell. f
k that ever again.I finished my last shift work night shift 2 weeks ago. It wasn't exactly 4 on 4 off, but after 4 years of it, I was absolutely fed up of it all. I am working 9-5.30 again and I wouldn't ever go back to doing any sort of shift work. I used to love getting the Fridays off but sometimes it would be 1-2pm before I woke up anyway so I wouldn't benefit from long weekends. I won't miss it.
Different strokes for different folks. I couldn't go back to 9-5 now.
Your hours per working will round down a bit as you'll be doing 48 hours over 8 days rather than 7. It works out at a 42 hour working week equivalent so you'd actually be working less hours as well as having 4 days off, and I'm guessing no call out to worry about either.
I've just been through this years' rota and by the end of the year I'll have worked 91 day shifts and 67 night shifts as I've done O/T on day shifts and taken nights off in lieu, plus my normal annual leave allowance. Feels like working part-time but getting paid a full time salary. I've got 12 days off starting after my next set of shifts, can't wait!
Your hours per working will round down a bit as you'll be doing 48 hours over 8 days rather than 7. It works out at a 42 hour working week equivalent so you'd actually be working less hours as well as having 4 days off, and I'm guessing no call out to worry about either.
I've just been through this years' rota and by the end of the year I'll have worked 91 day shifts and 67 night shifts as I've done O/T on day shifts and taken nights off in lieu, plus my normal annual leave allowance. Feels like working part-time but getting paid a full time salary. I've got 12 days off starting after my next set of shifts, can't wait!
4 on 4 off patterns mean that weekends are disturbed by one if not two days for a long period. Doesn't matter if you're single I guess, but if you have a partner working mon-fri it must be irritating.
I work shift, it's not a conventional pattern though, work two or three shifts in a row, alternating between days and nights. We get every 5th week off, but because of that our holidays are built into the pattern, we don't get additional days to book off. If we want a day off when we are rostered on we have to try and swap it, which isn't easy when there's only four of us, one on each shift.
As they are 12 hour shifts it does mean we don't work as many days a years, 144 in total. Not sure what is prefer to be honest, I quite like the time off during the week, means I can get things done, although after a weekend of nights I don't feel like doing a lot, the constant changing from days to nights and back again takes its toll.
I work shift, it's not a conventional pattern though, work two or three shifts in a row, alternating between days and nights. We get every 5th week off, but because of that our holidays are built into the pattern, we don't get additional days to book off. If we want a day off when we are rostered on we have to try and swap it, which isn't easy when there's only four of us, one on each shift.
As they are 12 hour shifts it does mean we don't work as many days a years, 144 in total. Not sure what is prefer to be honest, I quite like the time off during the week, means I can get things done, although after a weekend of nights I don't feel like doing a lot, the constant changing from days to nights and back again takes its toll.
I'd love a 9-5. But them my industry doesn't do 9-5 for its technical staff. Normally 8-530/6. Office staff are generally 9-5 as a rule. 
To the OP. Check whether your hourly rate will go up or down. I've had more than 1 job interview where they quote a headline figure, and of course then expect 30m to an hour, longer per day than your current employer. Which works out as a slight pay cut.
To the OP. Check whether your hourly rate will go up or down. I've had more than 1 job interview where they quote a headline figure, and of course then expect 30m to an hour, longer per day than your current employer. Which works out as a slight pay cut.
Shift work - I ahve done the last 15 years of my life on shifts 24/7 365 and have to say that shifts were great if you can do them - the time off is great and how you fit it into your life.
I had 6-2 2-10 and 10-6 along with day work periods.
Lates early and nights then days. 7 lates 5 off 7 earliues 2 off 7 nights 7 off and then 5 on 2 off 5 on 2 off and repeat.
8 hour shifts.
Hated 12 hour shifts.
one thing is you can either do shifts or you cant there is no inbetween, if you cant it will kill you. You have to be able to sleep at anytime and be able to focus through the night. shift starts where you go into a night shift ? thats a killer. you could be up comming on 20 hours !
regular patterns are not good for your health eating habits and the like. It makes you irritable as you swing it back after a night shift - wide awake at 3am ?
It has its ups as well as its downs and it takes a lot out of you, balance that with a young family and see how that works. still 9-5 aches, aches enough that im comming off of shifts and looking to go towards working for myself instead of being a lsave to the hourly paid pay packet.
I had 6-2 2-10 and 10-6 along with day work periods.
Lates early and nights then days. 7 lates 5 off 7 earliues 2 off 7 nights 7 off and then 5 on 2 off 5 on 2 off and repeat.
8 hour shifts.
Hated 12 hour shifts.
one thing is you can either do shifts or you cant there is no inbetween, if you cant it will kill you. You have to be able to sleep at anytime and be able to focus through the night. shift starts where you go into a night shift ? thats a killer. you could be up comming on 20 hours !
regular patterns are not good for your health eating habits and the like. It makes you irritable as you swing it back after a night shift - wide awake at 3am ?
It has its ups as well as its downs and it takes a lot out of you, balance that with a young family and see how that works. still 9-5 aches, aches enough that im comming off of shifts and looking to go towards working for myself instead of being a lsave to the hourly paid pay packet.
4 on 4 off with a 12 hour shift equates to around 42 hours per week when calculated over a longer period, and assuming you get paid meal breaks, rather than the 45 you are currently working, so may be a slight reduction in overall pay.
but you get the bonus of less journeys to work to pay for etc.
I used to do shifts when I was younger, have done all sorts, 4 on 2 off, 5 on 3 off, days/nights, 4/4 days, 2/2/4 and also some weird pattern an old manager dragged up as well.
Now that I am married and my wife works Mon-Fri, I am glad I don't work shifts, but when I did work shifts, I got on very well with it for all the same reasons as posted above, the free time it allows during weekdays was always welcome, but also missing weekend events at times was frustrating.
If your company is switched on then you'll likely get your holiday changed from "days" to "hours" or "days equivalent" so expect to get maybe 19 leave days (incl. Bank Hols) which is the equivalent of 20+8 leave days on Mon-Fri.
but you get the bonus of less journeys to work to pay for etc.
I used to do shifts when I was younger, have done all sorts, 4 on 2 off, 5 on 3 off, days/nights, 4/4 days, 2/2/4 and also some weird pattern an old manager dragged up as well.
Now that I am married and my wife works Mon-Fri, I am glad I don't work shifts, but when I did work shifts, I got on very well with it for all the same reasons as posted above, the free time it allows during weekdays was always welcome, but also missing weekend events at times was frustrating.
If your company is switched on then you'll likely get your holiday changed from "days" to "hours" or "days equivalent" so expect to get maybe 19 leave days (incl. Bank Hols) which is the equivalent of 20+8 leave days on Mon-Fri.
briantherobot said:
Hi All,
Hoping for a bit of advice.
I Currently work a standard Monday-Friday 9-5 role plus 1 weekend a month and also a couple of evenings on-call per week.
Have the chance to potentially move departments into a role that is a 4 on 4 off shift roster, 2 days and 2 nights.
I have worked a similar shift before so know what to expect in terms of anti-social hours, body clock , sleep etc..
The attraction of this role is that I am actually more suited and qualified to do this job over my current position and the shift pattern would allow me to use the extra days off to study as looking to retrain for a future career change.
How much extra cash would you want to go onto this shift?
How realistic is it to study and retrain on the days off, anyone been in a similar position?
Are the shifts really that bad..? Its been a while
Thanks in advance!
How much extra? 25%, that's how much.Hoping for a bit of advice.
I Currently work a standard Monday-Friday 9-5 role plus 1 weekend a month and also a couple of evenings on-call per week.
Have the chance to potentially move departments into a role that is a 4 on 4 off shift roster, 2 days and 2 nights.
I have worked a similar shift before so know what to expect in terms of anti-social hours, body clock , sleep etc..
The attraction of this role is that I am actually more suited and qualified to do this job over my current position and the shift pattern would allow me to use the extra days off to study as looking to retrain for a future career change.
How much extra cash would you want to go onto this shift?
How realistic is it to study and retrain on the days off, anyone been in a similar position?
Are the shifts really that bad..? Its been a while
Thanks in advance!
Thanks for all the input and advice guys!
I really think the 4 on 4 off is the way to go, its working out to be about a 15% pay rise also. I just can't get enough done on only 2 days off at the weekend. Plus as I am looking to study on my time off I have absolutely zero chance of doing that at the moment working Mon-Fri..
Yes nights are terrible and you work many weekends sacrificing social events etc, but only working half a year plus holiday sounds good to me!
I really think the 4 on 4 off is the way to go, its working out to be about a 15% pay rise also. I just can't get enough done on only 2 days off at the weekend. Plus as I am looking to study on my time off I have absolutely zero chance of doing that at the moment working Mon-Fri..
Yes nights are terrible and you work many weekends sacrificing social events etc, but only working half a year plus holiday sounds good to me!
geopetrolhead said:
Shift work the only way forward! I have been working 2 week off 2 on or 3 on 3 off for years, means I can enjoy my time off properly and go on holiday and things like that.
Mon-Friday 9 to 5. Sod that!
I like the sounds of a roster like that. Mon-Friday 9 to 5. Sod that!
What sort of job is this?
Just read through the whole thread and no one has really hit on holidays. Not sure how the OPs will work but generally 4 on 4 off means huge time off.
For me if I take 8 days holiday it's 20 days off. A lot of friends pass jokey comments along the lines of "Do you actually work?" or "Are ypu ever there?"
5 weeks holiday a year means it appears you're hardly at work.
For me if I take 8 days holiday it's 20 days off. A lot of friends pass jokey comments along the lines of "Do you actually work?" or "Are ypu ever there?"
5 weeks holiday a year means it appears you're hardly at work.
japseye007 said:
geopetrolhead said:
Shift work the only way forward! I have been working 2 week off 2 on or 3 on 3 off for years, means I can enjoy my time off properly and go on holiday and things like that.
Mon-Friday 9 to 5. Sod that!
I like the sounds of a roster like that. Mon-Friday 9 to 5. Sod that!
What sort of job is this?
I'm currently looking to move to a 28/28 pattern in central Asia.
2 days, 2 nights, 4 off here, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It gives me all the time off to do what I want or need to do, instead of trying to cram it all in at the weekend.
As already said, I can get the indoor and outdoor jobs done, gardening, car maintenance, pop into town, school run, plus get out and about on the mountain bike etc. You've also got 24hrs off after your second dayshift, and if this falls on a Friday or Saturday, I'll usually go to the pub.
Working less than half of the year has other benefits too. Last year I counted up my shifts including o/t, and taking into account leave and various courses (where I get the use of a hire car), I actually commuted to work only 132 times. This is a significant saving in fuel for me, as it means my annual average mileage is around 8000 miles, even though I work nearly 30 miles away!
As already said, I can get the indoor and outdoor jobs done, gardening, car maintenance, pop into town, school run, plus get out and about on the mountain bike etc. You've also got 24hrs off after your second dayshift, and if this falls on a Friday or Saturday, I'll usually go to the pub.
Working less than half of the year has other benefits too. Last year I counted up my shifts including o/t, and taking into account leave and various courses (where I get the use of a hire car), I actually commuted to work only 132 times. This is a significant saving in fuel for me, as it means my annual average mileage is around 8000 miles, even though I work nearly 30 miles away!
bigkeeko said:
Just read through the whole thread and no one has really hit on holidays. Not sure how the OPs will work but generally 4 on 4 off means huge time off.
For me if I take 8 days holiday it's 20 days off. A lot of friends pass jokey comments along the lines of "Do you actually work?" or "Are ypu ever there?"
5 weeks holiday a year means it appears you're hardly at work.
Great isn't it !For me if I take 8 days holiday it's 20 days off. A lot of friends pass jokey comments along the lines of "Do you actually work?" or "Are ypu ever there?"
5 weeks holiday a year means it appears you're hardly at work.
I get totally 27 days a year hold, with bank holidays.
If I break that down into 7 groups of 4 days off.
(2 days followed by 2 nights.)
And each group of 4 has the 4 days before it, and the 4 days after it,
So for each group of 4, I get 13 days off
7 groups times 12 days = 84 days, if p!aged correctly
84 days a year !!!
Plus all the other off days.
So in a 365 day year, I have 183 working days. ( 4 on , 4 off)
Take off my 27 holiday days.
Gives 156 days, or about 5 months out of the year.
briantherobot said:
Thanks for all the input and advice guys!
I really think the 4 on 4 off is the way to go, its working out to be about a 15% pay rise also. I just can't get enough done on only 2 days off at the weekend. Plus as I am looking to study on my time off I have absolutely zero chance of doing that at the moment working Mon-Fri..
Yes nights are terrible and you work many weekends sacrificing social events etc, but only working half a year plus holiday sounds good to me!
Only do it if you can revert again afterwards.I really think the 4 on 4 off is the way to go, its working out to be about a 15% pay rise also. I just can't get enough done on only 2 days off at the weekend. Plus as I am looking to study on my time off I have absolutely zero chance of doing that at the moment working Mon-Fri..
Yes nights are terrible and you work many weekends sacrificing social events etc, but only working half a year plus holiday sounds good to me!
I have had several friends go into this, most have hated it, its draining, and your body/mind needs to be able to cope.
Plenty of websites claim it has health implications.(?)
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