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Original poster

Which working hours do you think are better?

16 replies

mosschops30 · 09/01/2009 16:43

I currently work 12.5hr shifts and do 3 a week, which is full time, which in theory sounds great.
However I am finding it really hard, I seem to have lots of time off in the week when dc's and dh out, then working at the weekend when everyone else is home.
We are also expected to work 4 weekend shifts and month, and 6 night shifts a month, which is horrible and ds thinks Im ill all the time because all I do is sleep.

I am applying for another job which is more standard early and late shifts (7-2 or 2-9) which means I will have to work 5 days but to me they will be like half shifts.

Which do you think is better? When I was a student I thought the 12.5 hours were better but maybe thats because I didnt have to fulfil a weekend and night side of it. Would I feel I was ever away from work doing short shifts?

Any advice would be great thanks

OP posts:

stealthsquiggle · 09/01/2009 16:45

I think the short shifts sound better - that way you will be around either at the beginning or the end of every day and won't feel like you are missing huge chunks of family life.

TooMuchNoise · 09/01/2009 16:45

12.5 hour shifts including nights and weekends are not family friendly.

I'd go for the five short shifts, what you lose by having to go in 5 times per week you'll win back by not having to mess about with your sleeping etc.

Northernlurker · 09/01/2009 16:48

Having weekends all together would be nice wouldn't it? I would go for that -= yea it's five straight days but you'll have time to do stuff before and after - I think you'll really like it actually.

cali · 09/01/2009 16:49

I'm working 12.5 hours shifts at the moment, having previously worked them for 8 years before moving to London.

The unit where I worked there did short shifts, but I felt I was never away from the place and dd1 was in childcare for 9 hours a day, 4 days per week.

I definitely prefer 12.5 hour shifts but can only work them thanks to my family helping out with collecting dd's from nursery and looking after them until I finish work. I'm also part time now and only work 2 long days per week and do set days. Not ideal as can't work nights or weekends as on my own nearly all the time thanks to dh's work.

nappyaddict · 09/01/2009 16:50

Will you still have to work weekends though?

Sidge · 09/01/2009 16:51

I used to do 13 hour shifts - they're fine when you are single/child free (get all your hours worked in 3 days, whoo-hoo!)

But they are hell when you have a family. I would be inclined to do 5 shorter shifts - that way you will see your family in the morning when you're on a late, or an afternoon/evening when you're on an early.

And I don't miss nights AT ALL!

Original poster

mosschops30 · 09/01/2009 16:56

Youre right I think if I was single and child free it would be great (lots of free time) but the work/family balance doesnt work.

I would still have to do weekends but even if I did it would be a 'short' shift, if I do weekends where I am now, its the whole day and you cant do anything.
I do worry about filling up 5 days though, although they wont be 'long' days

OP posts:

Sidge · 09/01/2009 17:07

I now do 5 days (very short, school hours only) and if I'm honest I do find it a pain working every day - I feel like I have no time to catch up on stuff and have no time alone without one of the children. I used to like having a day or two off in the week.

But the trade off is that I do see more of my family, and I know you can't have it all ways! (At least not until I win the lottery and don't have to work LOL)

I think as long as you use your time before and after your shifts wisely working 5 days isn't so bad.

cali · 09/01/2009 17:08

I think the NHS would prefer it's staff not to have any family commitments outside of work, then we would be happy to work whatever.

Original poster

mosschops30 · 09/01/2009 17:16

yes cali and never ever be sick

OP posts:

cali · 09/01/2009 17:20

or never have a child that's sick more than 2 days per year!

have had to use the last of my AL as got to bed yesterday at 05:40, 20 mins before I was due to get up for a 12.5 hour shift. had a vomiting 1 year old to thank for that one.

Original poster

mosschops30 · 09/01/2009 17:22

that sucks and I bet you got loads of sympathy from your boss
hope your dc recovers soon

OP posts:

nappyaddict · 09/01/2009 17:30

I think that's pretty standard for a lot of jobs though. If you want paid leave when your DC are ill you have to use up your AL.

tiredemma · 09/01/2009 17:32

I really think that short shifts are much better mosschops.
I have been doing long days recently (on bank shifts) and they are killing me.

I much prefer short shifts and feel that it works better around the family.

tiredemma · 09/01/2009 17:35

forgot to add, our trust has one shift pattern that covers the whole of mental health services in our city.
You do
2 x 7am to 8pm shifts & 2 short shifts (either 7-2 or 1-8)

Long days are hideous

cali · 09/01/2009 17:37

Thanks, she's absolutely fine, spent all of Wed night being sick, slept until lunchtime yesterday, got up and ate lots as if nothing had ever been wrong with her!!

My work have a special knack of making you feel guilty when you need to take a day off for genuine reasons.
Realise that I'm lucky to get a few days per year of carers leave.

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