And for my next trick... a full 24 shift in my sleep schedule... repeatedly
By Demonix
@Demonix (294)
Canada
April 13, 2007 12:00am CST
Recently I have been looking for a job for something better and a more productive use of my time and a few weeks ago I found a job, its not great, and it doesnt pay great, but im not worried about that, but one thing that has caught me is the shift rotations my shifts for the last while have varied anywhere from 6:00am-2:00pm to 9:00am-5:00pm which isnt really that bad, but this last week went from 6:00am-2:00pm for tuesday and wednsday and then for friday, saturday, and sunday its completely switched to 10:00pm-6:00am and I just got my schedule for the next 2 weeks and its the same as this last week, so for 3 solid weeks on tuesday and wednsday I will work 6a-2p and then friday through sunday from 10p-6a
I dont know how long I could actually go with a swing of a shift like that, having only mondays and thursdays off and flipping my sleep schedule so often. I left my last job in December for a very similar, regular shift as it is very hard to get into a routine and even harder to get any real rest that way.
So what would you suggest?
Should I leave this job too? I dont really need the money that bad, I like the job and the people I work with, I've made several friends working there... but im not sure if I can handle the swing rotation again
Or should I take my manager aside and tell her that Im going to need some restrictions to my hours as there is only so much I can handle?
Or should I just take it as it is and be happy that I have something to do with my time, as I begin to realize that just about anywhere I go, there will be a time when similar sacrifices will need to be made?
1 person likes this
1 response
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
13 Apr 07
Rotating shifts is very hard on your body. It takes your body six weeks to get use to a new sleep shecdule. I am an RN who use to run a sleep lab in the hospital where I use to work.
The American Accedmy of Sleep Medicine says a person needs to have at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day and needs to have a regular sleep pattern. By having a rotating shift you are not doing your body any good.
Now you have to decide what to do. No one can tell you what to do.
Do you want to continue to earn the money and save it until you cannot handle the lack of sleep any longer, knowing that if you quit you will have some saved to fall back on. You said you really do not need the money so you can quit and live ok with out a job until you find a new job.
Is there an option you can go to school to learn a new trade so you will not have to work in a trade that has rotating shifts? Is there a way you can trade shifts with a co-worker so you and a co-worker can have all PM shifts or all day shifts?
I hope this helps.
@Demonix (294)
• Canada
13 Apr 07
wow I think this is the first time I have had a professional on a subject respond to one of my posts on that subject... did that make sense? I donno lol
anyways, the money isnt really a problem for me as I can live comfortably for about 2 years without work (many people find this strange as I am only 22 lol) I could get by even easier through various contract work agreements too, im not sure if I would want to learn another trade as I have studied several already and there is only so much I would like to study lol
I have learned many various trades such as policing, digital photography, surveilance photography, mechanics, carpentry, hypnotherapy, computer programming, and even cosmetology
but I major in law enforcement and my resume clearly shows it so that is where I tend to end up whenever I go looking for an actual job of some sorts rather than working on different contracts.
I have thought about trading shifts with co-workers but we are quite understaffed and most of the staff are students and require a more solid schedule
My conflict is with my moral judgement wanting to keep the job as I like the work, and the people, and my friends I have made there, and the fact that I have something to do with my time
but my need for self preservation tells me that this is not the way to get by as my sleep is important as you have pointed out even more than I knew before....
*thought process runs for a while* lol
In conclusion your lack of an opinioned answer but very helpful advice is leaning me probably more towards searching for a more set schedule with my manager, that wouldnt require a swing rotation
thank you
