Does/Did anyone here work third shift?

[MartyMcFly3]

Looks like im going to start a full time job from 11PM-7:25AM Sunday-Thursday within the next week or so. Never worked those kind of hours before.

How did/do you like it, what have your experiences been? Tell me some stuff about it.

 

[Sluggo]

I never have, but know lots of people who did.

They absolutely loved it.

 

[Tbirdkid]

Im on second shift... 7pm to 7:30am. I actually like it... if my sleep was actually under control, i couldnt think of a better shift to work.

 

[Otaking]

I did it for one day (my company had three shifts) to finish a project before the deadlne.

It depends on where you work, but the night people loved it because of the lack of management. They could clown around and goof off as much as they wanted, until we started doing random audits. The night crew just got too unmanageable one day, so we just ditched it totally.

I do believe you get some kind of compensation pay b/c of the hours, but I'd never do it. It'd ruin my whole day cycle.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Yes. It fits my natural clock.

 

[FoBoT]

i worked rotating shift work for 3 years. we did 7 days of mids (night, 11 pm to 7 am) every 5 weeks

you get used to it, i guess. but rotating isn't the same as nights for months/years at a time. good luck

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Thanks for the replies so far... Its gonna be tough when people want to go see a movie or something and I have to work. I definitely could use the money though so it's a bit of a catch 22.

 

[lastig21]

I worked 12pm to 8am for about 6 weeks. The shift itself isn't that bad as I tend to be a late night person anyway. It does suck having your schedule completely opposite as that of your friends' though. Its hard to work out times to hang out with them, and most jobs that require shift work also require that you work a weekend day (friday or saturday). This further complicates your ability to hang out with 8 to 5'ers.

 

[jadinolf]

I worked it . I was hired to be the third shift superintendent.

I had a terrible time trying to sleep during the day.

 

[charky]

Like FoBoT...I work rotating shift work (for the past 17 years). Probably the worse...no check that...the worse shift work you can do. 5-7 day shifts...2.days off...5-7 evening shifts...2-3 days off...then 7 graveyards. Only nice thing is the graveyards end on Thursday morning and I don't have to be back at work until Monday morning.

Since you'll be sticking with one shift...it'll be a bit easier. I usually hit the sack 30 minutes after getting home...but only sleep for 4-5 hours. I might catch an hour nap in the evening. I work with other guys that stay up after their mid-shift...then go to bed in the late afternoon. You might also consider gradually pushing your sleep forward an hour for each day of work (i.e. go to bed at 8 am Monday...9 am Tuesday and so on). It will help you adjust on your days off. Or you might just stay on the night schedule during your days off.

One thing that REALLY helps me feel normal while working graveyards is exercising. If I can drag my arse into the gym...it's amazing how much better I feel during the day.

Good luck buddy. Odd shifts can be rough. You'll find your routine.

 

[Away]

I used to work graveyards in security during the late 90's. It was an enjoyable shift for me because I didn't have to deal with anyone and I could take care of my school work (doing undergrad degree at the time). The only thing that sucks is trying to sleep during the day (especially if you live in an apartment complex).

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: charky
Like FoBoT...I work rotating shift work (for the past 17 years). Probably the worse...no check that...the worse shift work you can do. 5-7 day shifts...2.days off...5-7 evening shifts...2-3 days off...then 7 graveyards. Only nice thing is the graveyards end on Thursday morning and I don't have to be back at work until Monday morning.

Since you'll be sticking with one shift...it'll be a bit easier. I usually hit the sack 30 minutes after getting home...but only sleep for 4-5 hours. I might catch an hour nap in the evening. I work with other guys that stay up after their mid-shift...then go to bed in the late afternoon. You might also consider gradually pushing your sleep forward an hour for each day of work (i.e. go to bed at 8 am Monday...9 am Tuesday and so on). It will help you adjust on your days off. Or you might just stay on the night schedule during your days off.

One thing that REALLY helps me feel normal while working graveyards is exercising. If I can drag my arse into the gym...it's amazing how much better I feel during the day.

Good luck buddy. Odd shifts can be rough. You'll find your routine.

Thanks. Im just kinda bummed at how this summer turned out. Was hoping for a day shift Office position, instead got graveyard shift operating machines. (College student)

 

[surreal1221]

If you consider 7PM (2300Z) to 7AM (1100Z) third shift, then yes. . . Nevertheless, it is our night shift since we only have two work shifts.

 

[Bootprint]

Did rotating shifts with nights for 8 years and did straight nights for a couple of years after that.

Just be careful if you have to drive home after work, you'll be pretty exhausted for the first little while.

 

[surreal1221]

Exactly, make sure you get ample amounts of sleep before you go in. First couple of nights will be long as anything, and prolly slow depending on your work environment / job. I enjoy working nights to some extent, management is not around, etc etc, but I most certainly prefer days and seeing the sun. I would suck as a vampire.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: charky
You might also consider gradually pushing your sleep forward an hour for each day of work (i.e. go to bed at 8 am Monday...9 am Tuesday and so on). It will help you adjust on your days off.

that is what i did, it was really good for rotating out of mids, but if you are set on nights all the time, i dunno if it would work as well. i would probably try to stay with sleeping days on my days off. but i never works nights for an extended period

 

[Kadarin]

I used to do a 9pm/6am shift a few years back, and this went for a couple of years. It sucked, not because of the shift, but because of the job.