28/28 Rotation - pros & cons
Discussion
There is a distinct possibility I may be changing roles shortly and will move onto a 28 day on / 28 day off rotation in central asia.
I'm quite used to working away from home with periodic trips back, but have never done anything like 28/28. I know there's a fair few here who have worked similar so what do you find are the pros & cons. It sounds great but I'm wondering if there's any catch I've not considered.
I'm quite used to working away from home with periodic trips back, but have never done anything like 28/28. I know there's a fair few here who have worked similar so what do you find are the pros & cons. It sounds great but I'm wondering if there's any catch I've not considered.
I did 28/28 for four years and it really is a mixed bag but it's easier to list the cons (and that's what you ask for!).
- Events, gathering and parties with families and friends will always happen when you're away. Always.
- Most people back home are occupied during the week during working hours, so you need to have some good solitary hobbies or be happy in your own company.
- I always lost the first three days at home trying to acclimatise to the freedom and then spent the last three days at home mentally preparing for going away.
- It really helps if you like who you work with when you're away. I was lucky in that they were all good mates but it's incredibly difficult when you're with people you don't get on with.
- Even though I enjoyed what I was doing while away I was always desperate to get home. I basically spent six months of the year wishing my life away and in the end it was this that made me give it up.
There are loads of plus sides though, but if you're a family man it will put a massive strain on things back home.
- Events, gathering and parties with families and friends will always happen when you're away. Always.
- Most people back home are occupied during the week during working hours, so you need to have some good solitary hobbies or be happy in your own company.
- I always lost the first three days at home trying to acclimatise to the freedom and then spent the last three days at home mentally preparing for going away.
- It really helps if you like who you work with when you're away. I was lucky in that they were all good mates but it's incredibly difficult when you're with people you don't get on with.
- Even though I enjoyed what I was doing while away I was always desperate to get home. I basically spent six months of the year wishing my life away and in the end it was this that made me give it up.
There are loads of plus sides though, but if you're a family man it will put a massive strain on things back home.
Crumpet said:
I did 28/28 for four years and it really is a mixed bag but it's easier to list the cons (and that's what you ask for!).
- Events, gathering and parties with families and friends will always happen when you're away. Always.
- Most people back home are occupied during the week during working hours, so you need to have some good solitary hobbies or be happy in your own company.
- I always lost the first three days at home trying to acclimatise to the freedom and then spent the last three days at home mentally preparing for going away.
- It really helps if you like who you work with when you're away. I was lucky in that they were all good mates but it's incredibly difficult when you're with people you don't get on with.
- Even though I enjoyed what I was doing while away I was always desperate to get home. I basically spent six months of the year wishing my life away and in the end it was this that made me give it up.
There are loads of plus sides though, but if you're a family man it will put a massive strain on things back home.
I'd be going from a situation where I spend 10-11 weeks of the year at home, so I guess I would see 28/28 as an improvement! I think having a lot more certainty around when I am off I see as a further advantage.- Events, gathering and parties with families and friends will always happen when you're away. Always.
- Most people back home are occupied during the week during working hours, so you need to have some good solitary hobbies or be happy in your own company.
- I always lost the first three days at home trying to acclimatise to the freedom and then spent the last three days at home mentally preparing for going away.
- It really helps if you like who you work with when you're away. I was lucky in that they were all good mates but it's incredibly difficult when you're with people you don't get on with.
- Even though I enjoyed what I was doing while away I was always desperate to get home. I basically spent six months of the year wishing my life away and in the end it was this that made me give it up.
There are loads of plus sides though, but if you're a family man it will put a massive strain on things back home.
Bigest problem I can see is blowing too much cash in the 28 days off.
GT03ROB said:
Crumpet said:
I did 28/28 for four years and it really is a mixed bag but it's easier to list the cons (and that's what you ask for!).
- Events, gathering and parties with families and friends will always happen when you're away. Always.
- Most people back home are occupied during the week during working hours, so you need to have some good solitary hobbies or be happy in your own company.
- I always lost the first three days at home trying to acclimatise to the freedom and then spent the last three days at home mentally preparing for going away.
- It really helps if you like who you work with when you're away. I was lucky in that they were all good mates but it's incredibly difficult when you're with people you don't get on with.
- Even though I enjoyed what I was doing while away I was always desperate to get home. I basically spent six months of the year wishing my life away and in the end it was this that made me give it up.
There are loads of plus sides though, but if you're a family man it will put a massive strain on things back home.
I'd be going from a situation where I spend 10-11 weeks of the year at home, so I guess I would see 28/28 as an improvement! I think having a lot more certainty around when I am off I see as a further advantage.- Events, gathering and parties with families and friends will always happen when you're away. Always.
- Most people back home are occupied during the week during working hours, so you need to have some good solitary hobbies or be happy in your own company.
- I always lost the first three days at home trying to acclimatise to the freedom and then spent the last three days at home mentally preparing for going away.
- It really helps if you like who you work with when you're away. I was lucky in that they were all good mates but it's incredibly difficult when you're with people you don't get on with.
- Even though I enjoyed what I was doing while away I was always desperate to get home. I basically spent six months of the year wishing my life away and in the end it was this that made me give it up.
There are loads of plus sides though, but if you're a family man it will put a massive strain on things back home.
Bigest problem I can see is blowing too much cash in the 28 days off.
Having said that, i enjoyed the time off, you can plan what you are going to do well in advance. When single i used to go on trips with guys on the same rotation as me, there was a great group of lads. The guys were from all over the world so there was no shortage of places to visit with an experienced guide. I think you are in the same industry as me, with a lot of disposable cash between us we'd waste some serious money on s
t so you have to be mindful of that. When i met the little lady that all changed and i stopped rotating and started saving
.GT03ROB said:
I'd be going from a situation where I spend 10-11 weeks of the year at home, so I guess I would see 28/28 as an improvement! I think having a lot more certainty around when I am off I see as a further advantage.
Bigest problem I can see is blowing too much cash in the 28 days off.
Oh God, right, well if you're only used to having 10/11 weeks at home then six months of the year at home will be a massive step up! Bigest problem I can see is blowing too much cash in the 28 days off.
You're right about spending cash on your days off though. When you find yourself at a loose end you just end up burning cash - I used to get in the TVR and spank a tank of fuel in the morning, have lunch out somewhere then get home and throw a nice steak on the BBQ and start on the beers. Unless you're into growing your own veg or have some other cheap hobbies it can get very expensive keeping yourself entertained.
I've rotated for the last 18 years but now going the opposite way to you and moving to a live-in role. I've had 56/28, 42/21, 35/35 and 28/28.
Personal preference is a 35/35 rotation. I find that 28 days at work means most of the first week catching up, 2 weeks of actual productivity and the last week chasing stuff down and writing handovers so you don't leave a mess for your back to back. 35/35 gives you that little bit extra time in the middle so you feel like you've made progress during your hitch.
The second issue is that if your back to back isn't aligned with you then you'll find you have different priorities and things that you left as urgent when you went home are still sitting as urgent when you get back, although I'm sure it works the other way also.
Family wise, my family have always had me working on a rotation so they've been well used to it. Yes, you miss some things like birthdays or special occasions but if you're going from 10 weeks off to 26 weeks off then it should be an improvement for them. There's a lot of dead time due to wife working, kids at school, etc but I filled my time over the last few years by doing an MBA on my days off and then building a new garage from foundations up (thought I'd try my hand at something completely different after the MBA). You're only bored if you want to be bored.
Personal preference is a 35/35 rotation. I find that 28 days at work means most of the first week catching up, 2 weeks of actual productivity and the last week chasing stuff down and writing handovers so you don't leave a mess for your back to back. 35/35 gives you that little bit extra time in the middle so you feel like you've made progress during your hitch.
The second issue is that if your back to back isn't aligned with you then you'll find you have different priorities and things that you left as urgent when you went home are still sitting as urgent when you get back, although I'm sure it works the other way also.
Family wise, my family have always had me working on a rotation so they've been well used to it. Yes, you miss some things like birthdays or special occasions but if you're going from 10 weeks off to 26 weeks off then it should be an improvement for them. There's a lot of dead time due to wife working, kids at school, etc but I filled my time over the last few years by doing an MBA on my days off and then building a new garage from foundations up (thought I'd try my hand at something completely different after the MBA). You're only bored if you want to be bored.
I guess it becomes an interesting real world work/life balance. I really have 3 options at present:
1) Return to the UK. Be gone from house 06:30 - 7:00pm 5 days a week. Spending maybe a week a month plus associated weekends away from home. All for 5 weeks annual leave & a wage of $$x0.6
2) Stay where I am. Get home 11 weeks a year for $$x1.35.
or
3) do the 28/28. So 6 months off for a wage of $$x1.25
The 3rd option really seems the best but as I said was wondering if I am missing anything. Based on all your feedback seems not!!
1) Return to the UK. Be gone from house 06:30 - 7:00pm 5 days a week. Spending maybe a week a month plus associated weekends away from home. All for 5 weeks annual leave & a wage of $$x0.6
2) Stay where I am. Get home 11 weeks a year for $$x1.35.
or
3) do the 28/28. So 6 months off for a wage of $$x1.25
The 3rd option really seems the best but as I said was wondering if I am missing anything. Based on all your feedback seems not!!
Does option 3 mean returning to UK on time off? If so then factor in tax payments.
I've just finished a 2 year 28/28 contract, albeit rotating home to thailand and absolutely love the lifestyle. I'm someone who loves to do independent travel so 6 months off a year allows plenty of that.
My advice is grab it with both hands.
I've just finished a 2 year 28/28 contract, albeit rotating home to thailand and absolutely love the lifestyle. I'm someone who loves to do independent travel so 6 months off a year allows plenty of that.
My advice is grab it with both hands.
DoubleTime said:
Does option 3 mean returning to UK on time off? If so then factor in tax payments.
I've just finished a 2 year 28/28 contract, albeit rotating home to thailand and absolutely love the lifestyle. I'm someone who loves to do independent travel so 6 months off a year allows plenty of that.
My advice is grab it with both hands.
All the options are net of any taxes. I still can't see any real downsides. I've just finished a 2 year 28/28 contract, albeit rotating home to thailand and absolutely love the lifestyle. I'm someone who loves to do independent travel so 6 months off a year allows plenty of that.
My advice is grab it with both hands.
GT03ROB said:
I guess it becomes an interesting real world work/life balance. I really have 3 options at present:
1) Return to the UK. Be gone from house 06:30 - 7:00pm 5 days a week. Spending maybe a week a month plus associated weekends away from home. All for 5 weeks annual leave & a wage of $$x0.6
2) Stay where I am. Get home 11 weeks a year for $$x1.35.
or
3) do the 28/28. So 6 months off for a wage of $$x1.25
The 3rd option really seems the best but as I said was wondering if I am missing anything. Based on all your feedback seems not!!
1) Return to the UK. Be gone from house 06:30 - 7:00pm 5 days a week. Spending maybe a week a month plus associated weekends away from home. All for 5 weeks annual leave & a wage of $$x0.6
2) Stay where I am. Get home 11 weeks a year for $$x1.35.
or
3) do the 28/28. So 6 months off for a wage of $$x1.25
The 3rd option really seems the best but as I said was wondering if I am missing anything. Based on all your feedback seems not!!
GT03ROB said:
I guess it becomes an interesting real world work/life balance. I really have 3 options at present:
1) Return to the UK. Be gone from house 06:30 - 7:00pm 5 days a week. Spending maybe a week a month plus associated weekends away from home. All for 5 weeks annual leave & a wage of $$x0.6
2) Stay where I am. Get home 11 weeks a year for $$x1.35.
or
3) do the 28/28. So 6 months off for a wage of $$x1.25
The 3rd option really seems the best but as I said was wondering if I am missing anything. Based on all your feedback seems not!!
I am interested to join any company for 28/28 rotation job anybody here can guide me how I can join 1) Return to the UK. Be gone from house 06:30 - 7:00pm 5 days a week. Spending maybe a week a month plus associated weekends away from home. All for 5 weeks annual leave & a wage of $$x0.6
2) Stay where I am. Get home 11 weeks a year for $$x1.35.
or
3) do the 28/28. So 6 months off for a wage of $$x1.25
The 3rd option really seems the best but as I said was wondering if I am missing anything. Based on all your feedback seems not!!
GT03ROB said:
petop said:
Tax?
Assuming its in theory a good wage then what about you returning and going over the 90 day figure?
Personally i do around 3 months 3 weeks rotations and come just under.
All covered by employer, so no problem there.Assuming its in theory a good wage then what about you returning and going over the 90 day figure?
Personally i do around 3 months 3 weeks rotations and come just under.
35/35 or 28/28
Bellini said:
Rob, I'm guessing we're on the same job.
Drop me a message and we can compare notes if you wish.
I'm guessing that might be the case if you are working in Farnborough! Just got to catch my bus to site!Drop me a message and we can compare notes if you wish.
except you are not in Farnborough.....but out here! ...Edited by GT03ROB on Thursday 9th November 10:31
Been doing 28/28 for over 6 years, only it's been more like 41/14, which is good for my tax bill. Longest I've done is 159 days.
I save more money not having time off, you can really blow some cash when your back. Also, watchout for buying rubbish on eBay while away!
Time becomes very valuable.
I save more money not having time off, you can really blow some cash when your back. Also, watchout for buying rubbish on eBay while away!
Time becomes very valuable.
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