Rotating shift work

[donheld]

Our bosses are proposing we start rotating shifts. One month 7-3 second month 3-11 and third month 11-7. Has anyone tried this type schedule? If so how well did it work?

[Wcross]

1. Why are they proposing it?

Most companies offer shift premiums to entice people to work the night shift. Are they going to pay you more to rotate? Is there a problem that needs solving or are they "solving" a non-problem? If they can't find enough people to work the night shift they ought to raise the rate until they find some takers.
I would think it would cause major difficulties for people with children. Also people with second jobs would be forced to lose income.

[donheld]

4. We have plenty of people to work each shift

It's supposed to be for cross training, but I think people are going to wind up so tired from the rotating we're not going to be much good.

[azmouse]

2. I wouldn't recommend it.

From a Canadian website (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/work_schedules/shiftwrk.html):

A shiftworker, particularly one who works nights, must function on a schedule that is not natural. Constantly changing schedules can:
-upset one's circadian rhythm (24-hour body cycle),
-cause sleep deprivation and disorders of the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems,
-make existing disorders worse, and
-disrupt family and social life.
Scientific studies throughout the world have shown that shiftwork, by its very nature, is a major factor in the health and safety of workers.

[donheld]

16. Thanks for that link

I printed that out for my co-workers to read. Hopefully it will help.

[BlueCollar]

3. I've worked a variant of it

days: 6-3:30
swings: 3-11:30
graveyard: 11:00-7:30

It is a terrible system if you do it on a 28-30 day cycle. Productivity diminishes as people try to adapt to a constantly changing time cycle....

I'd suggest they consider volunteers for each shift then adapt the workload to the staffing...what kind of work do you do?

[izzybeans]

5. My father has been on rotating shifts for nearly 25 years.

I remember as a child it transformed his entire personality. Angry Angry man. It took him about 10 years to get his rhythm for life back. Nice guy. Shitty job. He will retire in 1 year, and will never look back.

Though they rotated shifts much more often. Month long shifts may be a bit easier on your body, provided they give you an adequate break in between rotations. If not, I say scrap it, go straight days and be happy.

[Orsino]

6. Did it in the Army.

When I got to my first duty station, they had us working four-on-three-off, with twelve-hour shifts. Every month we rotated through days/swing/graveyard, which was crazy. Just about the time my body adjusted, it was time to change again. Eventually, we switched to semester rotations, which helped those us us doing college work--as well as my sanity.

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. My husband did this for awhile, but it was two weeks of 5am-5pm

and then two weeks of 5pm-5am...it really messed his system up. He wouldn't do it again. :hi:

[donheld]

10. This is the response I sent to my boss

I usually work 3pm to 11pm and sleep 3am to 11am. The last two weeks I've been working 7am to 3pm and sleeping 11pm to 6 am (if i'm lucky it's been a hard adjustment). She said to let her know what we thought.

"As someone who’s been working a different shift, I’d say it’s not a good idea. Sometimes I’m so tired I can’t see straight. A constant schedule of this will wreak havoc for all involved. While the training for a few weeks has been beneficial, what it’s done to my body and mind has not been good."

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. I think that is an excellent response. Many times employers are looking

for maximum productivity, but when they are messing with your biological rythymns...the end result can be quite the opposite. Good luck donheld. :hi:

[donheld]

13. Thanks MrsGrumpy

I need it :hi:

[Oeditpus Rex]

8. My dad did it for 30 years

Not year-round, but in-season, when there were enough beets to make sugar. (He worked at a Spreckels plant.) Ten days on, four days off, then a different shift, et cetera.

I don't know how it affected him personally, since he was such an even-tempered cuss. But he lived to be 81 after smoking until 72.

It played hell with our family life, though. Schedule? Forget it.

[Love Bug]

9. I did this weekly in the Navy. While pregnant.

While in the Navy I worked what was called a 2-2-2 & 80 (2 midwatches, 2 afternoons, 2 days, 80 hours off). The killer was transitioning between shifts where we worked "double-backs" -- 8 hours on, 8 off, then 8 on again. Those double-backs were killer, but the 80 hours off were sweeeet.

Can't imagine doing rotating shifts if you have daycare. You'd have to find a daycare provider willing to work rotating shifts, too.

[seaglass]

12. My husband works 2 days from 8am-6pm and then 2 nights

6pm-8am and has done so for 14 years. He does get broken sleep on the 2 nights he works and he also takes naps on those days when he comes home. Then he gets 4 days off. The schedule works for him and there don't seem to be any ill effects. I know it's not exactly what you are doing but it seems your new schedule would give you more adjustment time.

From a family life perspective it sucks though.

[donheld]

15. Our staff

We have 2 people in there 50's, I'm 46, 3 people with kids at home and then 4 singles.

[rustydog]

14. we did 2 month rotations

but we also had 7 days on 6 days off.

[gizmo1979]

17. Why do they do this?

I couldn't take it I'd never be able to sleep.Definitely a young person game.