Working shifts? Big change on the horizon
Discussion
Evening Gents,
8 of us have been given a consultation period with reference to going on 24/7 shift rota.
I currently work a shift pattern of sorts (no weekends)
Mon-fri 7am -3pm
Mon-fri 2pm-10pm
Mon-fri 7am-3pm
Mon-thurs 5pm-2am ( only the past 8mth for a specific job )
No paid breaks,so that’s 37.5hrs a week and a 15% shift allowance
There is a current shift pattern which involves different trades and they work 6 on 4 off
5 shifts of
2x 7am-4pm
2x 1:30pm-10pm
2x 9:30pm -7:45am
4 off
They also receive a 15% shift allowance. Majority of these lads would rather work 4 on 4 off but they say they’d want more shift allowance .
In the first consultation meeting the management suggested joining the current 6 on 4 off rotor but we’re open to suggestions . I’d heard/read a little about 4 on 4 off and the fact you only work some 180odd day’s a year. Anyway I suggested the 4/4 and they seemed keen and is quite possibly going to be the outcome.
Now the current lads on shift are saying we should be demanding more money/shift allowance etc as we’d be worse off. I understand I’ll be working more weekends and 12hr nights but my crude maths says I’ll be working less hours over a year especially if the holidays are the 19.6x 12hr shifts iv read about on the Internet .
Can any of you guys offer some advice to any of the above shift patterns Rotas etc . I’d rather not work weekends at all but would rather 4/4 if it gets me more weekends off than 6/4
Cheers
Dan
8 of us have been given a consultation period with reference to going on 24/7 shift rota.
I currently work a shift pattern of sorts (no weekends)
Mon-fri 7am -3pm
Mon-fri 2pm-10pm
Mon-fri 7am-3pm
Mon-thurs 5pm-2am ( only the past 8mth for a specific job )
No paid breaks,so that’s 37.5hrs a week and a 15% shift allowance
There is a current shift pattern which involves different trades and they work 6 on 4 off
5 shifts of
2x 7am-4pm
2x 1:30pm-10pm
2x 9:30pm -7:45am
4 off
They also receive a 15% shift allowance. Majority of these lads would rather work 4 on 4 off but they say they’d want more shift allowance .
In the first consultation meeting the management suggested joining the current 6 on 4 off rotor but we’re open to suggestions . I’d heard/read a little about 4 on 4 off and the fact you only work some 180odd day’s a year. Anyway I suggested the 4/4 and they seemed keen and is quite possibly going to be the outcome.
Now the current lads on shift are saying we should be demanding more money/shift allowance etc as we’d be worse off. I understand I’ll be working more weekends and 12hr nights but my crude maths says I’ll be working less hours over a year especially if the holidays are the 19.6x 12hr shifts iv read about on the Internet .
Can any of you guys offer some advice to any of the above shift patterns Rotas etc . I’d rather not work weekends at all but would rather 4/4 if it gets me more weekends off than 6/4
Cheers
Dan
Edited by PapaJohns on Friday 26th January 22:10
do not underestimate how s
t working 12 hour nightshifts is.
Although you would only be doing 4 so wont be as bad, if it was me I would be picking the 6 on 4 off option, although I am struggling to see how that can work with only 8 people split between 5 shifts as that would leave 2 shifts with only 1 person,
if it works with only 1 person on a shift and the 8 can be split between 5 shifts you could do 12hour shifts of
2 days 2 night
5 off
2 days 3 nights
4 off
3 days 2 night
12 off
t working 12 hour nightshifts is.Although you would only be doing 4 so wont be as bad, if it was me I would be picking the 6 on 4 off option, although I am struggling to see how that can work with only 8 people split between 5 shifts as that would leave 2 shifts with only 1 person,
if it works with only 1 person on a shift and the 8 can be split between 5 shifts you could do 12hour shifts of
2 days 2 night
5 off
2 days 3 nights
4 off
3 days 2 night
12 off
4on 4off is st.
After 4 nights you lose a day sleeping so that puts you down to 3 then you have to get used to waking up at a normal time which can take a couple of days then your back to work.
My current patten is
3 days on
3days off
4 nights on
7 days off
4days on
3days off
3nights on
8 days off
Back to start.
3days on starts on a Tuesday,total shifts are 141 per year with holidays built in to the pattern. At least doing this you get enough time to recover after nights because you need it!
t.After 4 nights you lose a day sleeping so that puts you down to 3 then you have to get used to waking up at a normal time which can take a couple of days then your back to work.
My current patten is
3 days on
3days off
4 nights on
7 days off
4days on
3days off
3nights on
8 days off
Back to start.
3days on starts on a Tuesday,total shifts are 141 per year with holidays built in to the pattern. At least doing this you get enough time to recover after nights because you need it!
Depends on the work I think.
12 hour nightshift outside in the cold, on your feet for most of it? No thankyou.
12 hour shift in a warm, quiet office where you can catch an hour or twos sleep during the night if things aren't busy? No drama.
I've done both, I'll never go back to the first option again. It's a killer after a few months.
12 hour nightshift outside in the cold, on your feet for most of it? No thankyou.
12 hour shift in a warm, quiet office where you can catch an hour or twos sleep during the night if things aren't busy? No drama.
I've done both, I'll never go back to the first option again. It's a killer after a few months.
Used to do 4 on 4 off.
How longs your commute? What’s the work like?
12 hours at work with even half hour commute at each end leaves you with about 8 hours to eat n sleep
Your first day off is spent catching up on sleep and stuff. Your last day off is spent dreading going back to 12 hour shifts.
But yeah you do get a lot of time off which can work well for some lifestyles
How longs your commute? What’s the work like?
12 hours at work with even half hour commute at each end leaves you with about 8 hours to eat n sleep
Your first day off is spent catching up on sleep and stuff. Your last day off is spent dreading going back to 12 hour shifts.
But yeah you do get a lot of time off which can work well for some lifestyles
Currently work 4 on 4 off (11 hours/day), however not night shifts.
My commute is only 10 mins but I find it hard to have the motivation to do anything (gym/meals out/visiting relatives, friends etc) on my working days.
Also miss out on some things through being at work on the weekends (like today!).
Upsides - amazing how much you can get done on your off days when others are at work Mon-Fri. Also 4 days holiday = 12 days off or 8 days holiday = 20 days off.
Been doing it 3 and a half years and dread the thought of going back to 5 days on 2 days off!
My commute is only 10 mins but I find it hard to have the motivation to do anything (gym/meals out/visiting relatives, friends etc) on my working days.
Also miss out on some things through being at work on the weekends (like today!).
Upsides - amazing how much you can get done on your off days when others are at work Mon-Fri. Also 4 days holiday = 12 days off or 8 days holiday = 20 days off.
Been doing it 3 and a half years and dread the thought of going back to 5 days on 2 days off!
DuraAce said:
Depends on the work I think.
12 hour nightshift outside in the cold, on your feet for most of it? No thankyou.
12 hour shift in a warm, quiet office where you can catch an hour or twos sleep during the night if things aren't busy? No drama.
I've done both, I'll never go back to the first option again. It's a killer after a few months.
Building Maintenance/ nice warm building 24/7.and your probably right about catching an odd hour or so shut eye. It’s hard to tell who’s been on NS when we clock in at 7am (they don’t look tired, odd occasion they looked wrecked if they’ve had a big leak etc )12 hour nightshift outside in the cold, on your feet for most of it? No thankyou.
12 hour shift in a warm, quiet office where you can catch an hour or twos sleep during the night if things aren't busy? No drama.
I've done both, I'll never go back to the first option again. It's a killer after a few months.
My commute is around 10-15min
Will this effect my wages do you know? Like I say currently get 15% shift allowance and salaried to 37.5hrs , but iv had people in my ear saying 4/4 is an average of 42 hrs , I’m almost certain iv worked it out over the year as 80hrs less than day shift . They don’t currently pay for lunch breaks etc so can’t see it being any different there so assume 11hours paid which be less again .
Holidays ,I currently get 25 days plus the bank hols, from what iv read online this 4/4 shift comes with 19.6 x 12hr holidays, is this the norm ? That equates to 235hrs where as the lads on 6/4 get 247.5hrs . I appreciate I’m lossing some weekends and having to work BH if my shift falls on them , but they do pay extra if you happen to be in
hobbiniho1 said:
do not underestimate how st working 12 hour nightshifts is.
Although you would only be doing 4 so wont be as bad, if it was me I would be picking the 6 on 4 off option, although I am struggling to see how that can work with only 8 people split between 5 shifts as that would leave 2 shifts with only 1 person,
if it works with only 1 person on a shift and the 8 can be split between 5 shifts you could do 12hour shifts of
2 days 2 night
5 off
2 days 3 nights
4 off
3 days 2 night
12 off
Your right it’s doesnt work , which is why I suggested 4/4 Aswell as the extra weekends off over the 6/4 pattern . There more than likely involve some shut eye on the nights at some point t working 12 hour nightshifts is.Although you would only be doing 4 so wont be as bad, if it was me I would be picking the 6 on 4 off option, although I am struggling to see how that can work with only 8 people split between 5 shifts as that would leave 2 shifts with only 1 person,
if it works with only 1 person on a shift and the 8 can be split between 5 shifts you could do 12hour shifts of
2 days 2 night
5 off
2 days 3 nights
4 off
3 days 2 night
12 off
My current 5-2 or 6-3am are killing me after working 4, the weekend after is a right off but I’m getting broken sleep as I have to get up with my daughter to take her to school/ child care for 8-9am . I’m thinking if I rock in and take the little darling where she needs to be my sleep pattern will be better . Before I could sleep,through till 10:30 and have a normal day after gym/shopping etc
underdosed said:
Currently work 4 on 4 off (11 hours/day), however not night shifts.
My commute is only 10 mins but I find it hard to have the motivation to do anything (gym/meals out/visiting relatives, friends etc) on my working days.
Also miss out on some things through being at work on the weekends (like today!).
Upsides - amazing how much you can get done on your off days when others are at work Mon-Fri. Also 4 days holiday = 12 days off or 8 days holiday = 20 days off.
Been doing it 3 and a half years and dread the thought of going back to 5 days on 2 days off!
It’s the time off and holidays that appeal . Whilst I have a young family days of during the week would suit me when they come around, it’s hard to,find to to do what I want to do when iv only the weekend and a wife & toddler to appease My commute is only 10 mins but I find it hard to have the motivation to do anything (gym/meals out/visiting relatives, friends etc) on my working days.
Also miss out on some things through being at work on the weekends (like today!).
Upsides - amazing how much you can get done on your off days when others are at work Mon-Fri. Also 4 days holiday = 12 days off or 8 days holiday = 20 days off.
Been doing it 3 and a half years and dread the thought of going back to 5 days on 2 days off!
elanfan said:
Don't underestimate the negative affect on your health. Shirt work and nights are known to shorten life - not worth it imho
I don’t drink or smoke, so summits gonna kill me. I currently work with a bloke who’s smokes like a chimney, likes a drink and a bit of cake, he’s been working shifts for 30odd yr he reckons , and he handed his notice in this week.....he’s 71
We work
Mon Tue Days - Wed Thur Nights
5 Off
Wed Thur Days - Fri Sat Sun Nights
4 Off
Fri Sat Sun Days - Mon Tue Nights
5 Off
Back to the start of the pattern.
This means you work a weekend of Days then a weekend of Nights, then have 2 weekends off.
All 12 hour shifts, Holidays are 200 Hours & 96 Hours in lieu for Bank Holidays .
I don't think there is any perfect shift pattern, working 4 on 4 off means you work more part weekends than the pattern we do.
Mon Tue Days - Wed Thur Nights
5 Off
Wed Thur Days - Fri Sat Sun Nights
4 Off
Fri Sat Sun Days - Mon Tue Nights
5 Off
Back to the start of the pattern.
This means you work a weekend of Days then a weekend of Nights, then have 2 weekends off.
All 12 hour shifts, Holidays are 200 Hours & 96 Hours in lieu for Bank Holidays .
I don't think there is any perfect shift pattern, working 4 on 4 off means you work more part weekends than the pattern we do.
We have literally any time of day or night as start times. The one plus point is our "unsocial hours" are restricted to ~8 hours per shift... so night turns, early starts (and by early I mean booking on at 03:20!). I wouldn't do 12 hour nights for any money; although we're forbidden to by law due to the nature of the work anyway. Still wouldn't do it even if I could, and our night work is the easiest work we have.
Trouble is, our shift pattern goes from lates to earlies, so we finish Tuesday late and start Friday early. If the Tuesday was a night turn, that means you're actually finishing as late as eight in the morning on Wednesday (your first day off) and then coming in as early as about five in the morning on Friday. I'm no longer as young as I was and find that's a bloody killer, still feel knackered into the following week.
We get a long weekend of five days every third week, but by the time you've done seven straight 03:30 starts you need two of those days off just to feel human again
Trouble is, our shift pattern goes from lates to earlies, so we finish Tuesday late and start Friday early. If the Tuesday was a night turn, that means you're actually finishing as late as eight in the morning on Wednesday (your first day off) and then coming in as early as about five in the morning on Friday. I'm no longer as young as I was and find that's a bloody killer, still feel knackered into the following week.
We get a long weekend of five days every third week, but by the time you've done seven straight 03:30 starts you need two of those days off just to feel human again
I love my shift work for the time off it gives me on week days when everyone else is at work, including the missus, meaning I have the house to myself.
I hate my shift work for the inability to commit to doing stuff with friends/family as I'm usually at work when they are off, meaning I miss out or have to take time off work. Also, the lack of sleep, especially when finishing my last night shift and having to get myself back into day mode.
I work..
2 x days
2 x evenings
2 x nights
I finish my last night shift at 7am, and if I stay in bed too long I can't sleep the following night, meaning I oversleep the morning after, causing me to be late to bed that night......and so it goes on. The trick is to get myself out of bed at midday on my first day off, giving me just 4hrs sleep. I will be tired for the rest of the day but at least i can then sleep that night as normal.
I hate my shift work for the inability to commit to doing stuff with friends/family as I'm usually at work when they are off, meaning I miss out or have to take time off work. Also, the lack of sleep, especially when finishing my last night shift and having to get myself back into day mode.
I work..
2 x days
2 x evenings
2 x nights
I finish my last night shift at 7am, and if I stay in bed too long I can't sleep the following night, meaning I oversleep the morning after, causing me to be late to bed that night......and so it goes on. The trick is to get myself out of bed at midday on my first day off, giving me just 4hrs sleep. I will be tired for the rest of the day but at least i can then sleep that night as normal.
Edited by LeadFarmer on Saturday 27th January 19:13
Nik da Greek said:
...I wouldn't do 12 hour nights for any money...
I’d much rather do 12hr nights than 8hr ones.I’ve done both years ago.
There is no shift as bad as an 8hr night shift when you’re sat at home, having been up for 6 hours with the clock counting down, waiting to start work again at 10pm.
I f
king hated it.I do 4 on / 4 off 12 hour shifts, split in to two days - two nights - 4 off. Works well for me. After the last night shift i go to bed for 5 to 6 hours and then get up and have the afternoon and evening of the first rest day to play with. Straight back in to normal sleep pattern and another 3 days off to enjoy. 12 hour night shifts aren't too bad, and having 4 day chunks of free time is excellent if you have hobbies. You can even take mini breaks with no annual leave used. I've driven to the Nurburgring on my first rest day in the past and then returned with a day spare to chill out before going back to work!
Gallons Per Mile said:
I do 4 on / 4 off 12 hour shifts, split in to two days - two nights - 4 off. Works well for me. After the last night shift i go to bed for 5 to 6 hours and then get up and have the afternoon and evening of the first rest day to play with. Straight back in to normal sleep pattern and another 3 days off to enjoy. 12 hour night shifts aren't too bad, and having 4 day chunks of free time is excellent if you have hobbies. You can even take mini breaks with no annual leave used. I've driven to the Nurburgring on my first rest day in the past and then returned with a day spare to chill out before going back to work!
Sounds good to me (Nurburgring). Sound like where not getting paid breaks, so it’s a perfect excuse for having a nap .What percentage shift allowance do you get and how many holidays
0% shift allowance at current job, but the salary isn't too terrible. I get 24 days holiday which is 24 twelve hour shifts off. I only ever book an entire shift off if I can help it (ie 4 days concurrently) so that you maximise your holiday time - remember you have 4 rest days either side, making 12 in total. Do this every time you book holiday and you get 6 x 12 days off, on top of the fact you only work 50% of days of the year anyway. Shift work is a no-brainer for me, as long as you're sensible about your health and sleep.
I work shifts and love them.
6 on 4 off
2x 06:30-13:30
2x 13:30-22:00
2x either 22:00-06:30 or a daytime shift usually 11:00-19:00 although we nearly always get out early on those. One night shift is mostly spent in bed and the other working 1.5hrs on 1.5hr off.
Total working days over the year 181 and an allowance although fairly small of ~£6.5k.
Because we only work nights about half of our working cycles and more than half of the night is spent asleep on average they’re not anywhere near as tiring as a proper nightshift.
The benefits are more efficient use of leave: 6 days buys you 2 weeks off vs 5 days buying you just 9 for a M-F. I very rarely drive anywhere at rush hour. I get to enjoy at least some of the daytime in winter which cannot be underestimated. I also get to use shops/post office/banks etc at off peak times that suit me.
6 on 4 off
2x 06:30-13:30
2x 13:30-22:00
2x either 22:00-06:30 or a daytime shift usually 11:00-19:00 although we nearly always get out early on those. One night shift is mostly spent in bed and the other working 1.5hrs on 1.5hr off.
Total working days over the year 181 and an allowance although fairly small of ~£6.5k.
Because we only work nights about half of our working cycles and more than half of the night is spent asleep on average they’re not anywhere near as tiring as a proper nightshift.
The benefits are more efficient use of leave: 6 days buys you 2 weeks off vs 5 days buying you just 9 for a M-F. I very rarely drive anywhere at rush hour. I get to enjoy at least some of the daytime in winter which cannot be underestimated. I also get to use shops/post office/banks etc at off peak times that suit me.
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