Discussion
I worked 4 on 4 off for a few years, I really liked them. Mine were 0700-1900 and 1900-0700. I liked having the 4 days off, easy to keep a track of your work pattern, gained 16 hours in lieu every 8 wks (i think it was 8).
But then, I had worked some really crap shift patterns until then (inc continentals) so the 4x4 was a huge breath of fresh air. I then went on to 6 on 4 off which I didn't like at all.
But some of my colleagues hated the 4 on 4 off, which just went to prove that you couldn't please everyone
But then, I had worked some really crap shift patterns until then (inc continentals) so the 4x4 was a huge breath of fresh air. I then went on to 6 on 4 off which I didn't like at all.
But some of my colleagues hated the 4 on 4 off, which just went to prove that you couldn't please everyone
One thing to consider if you have family, the 4 on 4 off slowly slides meaning you’ll go though periods where you always work weekends then slip slowly into having weekends off then back again.
It’s not a bad pattern but I’ve done 2 days 2 night and 2 early 2 late versions of this pattern. 12 hour nights suck.
It’s not a bad pattern but I’ve done 2 days 2 night and 2 early 2 late versions of this pattern. 12 hour nights suck.
I did this for a 18 months. Not the best, after the initial nice feeling of 4 days off, you find the 4 days off arent when you need them.
You end up sitting in work on nightshifts over all the good times (weekends/partys/bank holidays) whilst your days off are during the week while friends and family are working normal daywork.
I also grew jealous of the day workers coming in for barely 7.5 hours and leaving work at 4pm not caring at all. Whilst the shift workers held up the show through day and night regardless.
I wouldnt go back again. But perhaps thats just me.
You end up sitting in work on nightshifts over all the good times (weekends/partys/bank holidays) whilst your days off are during the week while friends and family are working normal daywork.
I also grew jealous of the day workers coming in for barely 7.5 hours and leaving work at 4pm not caring at all. Whilst the shift workers held up the show through day and night regardless.
I wouldnt go back again. But perhaps thats just me.
Never done 4 on 4 off but I have done 6 on 4 off previously.
As someone else said the first day off is rough, I used to drag myself out of bed after 4-5 hours sleep to try and bring myself back to day time living again.
Shift work is fine generally, it can be great having days off during the week for getting stuff done.
I wouldnt go back to working regular nights through choice now. I'm convinced it's very bad for your health. I felt my health improved considerably when I got on to working more normal days.
As someone else said the first day off is rough, I used to drag myself out of bed after 4-5 hours sleep to try and bring myself back to day time living again.
Shift work is fine generally, it can be great having days off during the week for getting stuff done.
I wouldnt go back to working regular nights through choice now. I'm convinced it's very bad for your health. I felt my health improved considerably when I got on to working more normal days.
I’ve just started 12 hour shifts, 6-6 Monday-Thursday and enjoy them. Especially the night shifts. They’re very peaceful but can be a bit surreal at 4am. Sleep isn’t an issue for me except the first day of earlies where getting to sleep the night before (like tonight!) can be an issue.
The regular long weekends are great and feel well earned after four long shifts.
The regular long weekends are great and feel well earned after four long shifts.
Defcon5 said:
Yours is a good iteration as on some 4/4 you would do 2 earlies/2 nights every set, meaning your first day off is compromised every time.
On the plus side, with 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off, you're only ever getting up early twice and only ever doing 2 nights.For people who can't sleep during the day it can be a bonus.
worked shifts on and off for years.
you can either do them or you cant. they mess up family life and you will get fat.... discipline is paramount - when on shift control your intake, and get exercise, and dont fall into the work sleep work.... thing.
you get decent money on shifts - but its for a price. shift working also affects your health physically and mentally....
you can either do them or you cant. they mess up family life and you will get fat.... discipline is paramount - when on shift control your intake, and get exercise, and dont fall into the work sleep work.... thing.
you get decent money on shifts - but its for a price. shift working also affects your health physically and mentally....
ruggedscotty said:
worked shifts on and off for years.
you can either do them or you cant. they mess up family life and you will get fat.... discipline is paramount - when on shift control your intake, and get exercise, and dont fall into the work sleep work.... thing.
you get decent money on shifts - but its for a price. shift working also affects your health physically and mentally....
Retired last year after 19 years of shifts , can't say I miss them , and agree with the above post.you can either do them or you cant. they mess up family life and you will get fat.... discipline is paramount - when on shift control your intake, and get exercise, and dont fall into the work sleep work.... thing.
you get decent money on shifts - but its for a price. shift working also affects your health physically and mentally....
Especially the fat bit , everyone put on weight.
I work 2-10 on a 5/7 rota, currently get 2 weekends in 3 and then a couple of weekdays off in the third week.
I’m hopeful of landing a new position on 4/4 that will be 9pm-9am with the added benefit of flexi working from home (or anywhere with decent internet) when it suits me.
The world life balance on fixed 2-10 makes it hard to maintain a regular social life so I’m hopeful 3/4 free days a week will improve that.
I’m hopeful of landing a new position on 4/4 that will be 9pm-9am with the added benefit of flexi working from home (or anywhere with decent internet) when it suits me.
The world life balance on fixed 2-10 makes it hard to maintain a regular social life so I’m hopeful 3/4 free days a week will improve that.
So far I've done 4on 4off 4on 4off 4on 10off
4on 4off
and 4on 6off.
the 4 on 4 off I wasn't a fan of be you get 2 weekends off in 8 which I found really bad for family life. It also came with a 45 minute commute which was awful after a night shift. Also the holidays were statutory minimum so only got 19 shifts off a year which wasn't great.
Currently on 4on 6off and it's not to bad. The thing with shift patterns like this is you work less than your contracted hours so holiday pay is included with your pattern. So you need to make sure the contracted hours are 37.5 or less so you still get some holiday time. If contracted to 45 hours a week your holidays all get used up and you owe your employer hours.
The pattern with the 10 off was by far the best for me. But that was mainly because you could get your head down for at least 4 hours most night shifts and do 6 over time night shifts every month. This meant the money was good and you always had lieu time built up.
4on 4off
and 4on 6off.
the 4 on 4 off I wasn't a fan of be you get 2 weekends off in 8 which I found really bad for family life. It also came with a 45 minute commute which was awful after a night shift. Also the holidays were statutory minimum so only got 19 shifts off a year which wasn't great.
Currently on 4on 6off and it's not to bad. The thing with shift patterns like this is you work less than your contracted hours so holiday pay is included with your pattern. So you need to make sure the contracted hours are 37.5 or less so you still get some holiday time. If contracted to 45 hours a week your holidays all get used up and you owe your employer hours.
The pattern with the 10 off was by far the best for me. But that was mainly because you could get your head down for at least 4 hours most night shifts and do 6 over time night shifts every month. This meant the money was good and you always had lieu time built up.
Did 4/4 night shifts for a couple of years - it was ok when I was young and single but if something good with mates was on, I could almost guarantee I was working. I was awake 24 hrs at least once a week.
I did 4/4 days but that was better. Have never done 4/4 day/night rotating but I suspect it will f
k your head up the first couple of months.
I did 4/4 days but that was better. Have never done 4/4 day/night rotating but I suspect it will f
k your head up the first couple of months.People like to play up the positives, but 4 on then 4 off you never get into a routine. The only things I found was coming off nights, staying up for as long as you could helped switched back to days.
But I just felt like a zombie and found night work really hard, it was easier doing it for 6 months in a row over 4 days.
But I just felt like a zombie and found night work really hard, it was easier doing it for 6 months in a row over 4 days.
The last 6-6am falls in that first day off doesn't it? Meaning your asleep that first day off, well most of it. So it's 3.5 days off.
Plus 12 hour nights? I've done 10hour nights. Those were hideous alone. Plus as mentioned you'll end up spending alot of your days off alone.
Your current is much preferable.
Plus 12 hour nights? I've done 10hour nights. Those were hideous alone. Plus as mentioned you'll end up spending alot of your days off alone.
Your current is much preferable.
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