Shift work versus Nine to five......

My mind is doing back-flips lately, as I lie awake at night (or during the day when I'm on nightshifts) trying to work out what the ideal work pattern is. I appreciate that many  people in general just hate work, don't exactly want to read a blog that is work-related, but the harsh reality is  that we spend so much of our lives trying to earn a crust doing hours we resent and tasks we dread that I think it's a pretty important factor in our happiness, to at least make a decision on the right hours for us. I've made a list for the pros and cons of both the 9-5 and shift rotating lifestyle, to try and help myself decide.

9-5:

Pros: Weekends off, generally bank holidays off including Christmas, being home in the evening to stay tuned with the soaps / go to the gym / have family dinners, always knowing when your going to be off and so able to plan ahead better, possibly a healthier lifestyle due to routine, Sunday roasts and Saturday nights out, the "Friday feeling", generally able to attend weddings and weekend events without too much fuss, Friday after-work drinks with work colleagues, just being free in the evenings to have an early night or catch up with friends, just generally being in touch with the rest of the population.

Cons: The Monday blues, the Tuesday slump, rush hour and road rage, not being able too watch This Morning, lack of flexibility for personal appointments durng the week, regular early mornings, a set routine which can get mundane, the dreaded feeling on Sunday evenings.



Shift work:

Pros: A mixture of lie-ins and flexible hours, able to make plans in the week-days, not having the Monday blues every week, holidays at cheaper times of the year, not being restricted to a set routine, option for extra pay when doing anit-social hours, more days off if doing longer shifts, more scope for overtime, being able to book off birthdays.

Cons: Often away from home when relatives off, working weekends, tiredness due to lack of sleep or having to sleep during daytime, no exact routine, feeling obliged to "cover" on days off, working on bank holidays, not being allowed to book holidays over christmas period (if applied to job), not knowing shifts more than a few weeks ahead, missing out on family events, going to work when everyone else going to sleep.


So I suppose everyone has to ask themselves what's important to them and what they would rather do. I think people should ask themselves (if having the choice) if they are morning people, if they value routine over flexibility, if they really value family time, if they have times of the day where they feel most motivated, if they respond to routine better when it comes to eating healthier and having more exercise. Personally, I think 9-5 sounds better, just because I'm a home and family centred person, and just lately am feeling that it's going to be another christmas either working, rcovering from or dreading a nightshift.....