The Woes Of A Shift Worker

First Published in 2013

It’s not easy being a shift worker, in fact the only people who understand shift work are well…shift workers.

You see, you the reader may not work shifts. I imagine you have a lovely body clock that means you’re in bed by about 2200-2230 and you hve every weekend/bank holiday off? Eat at what is considered to be “meal times” and not at bizarre times?

As a shift worker, we don’t have body clocks. We go to sleep when our body dictates – even if that means 3pm, even if that means we are up at stupid o’clock in the morning (Like now for instance).

One of the bugbears of a shift worker is hearing others who work boring 9-5 mon-fri complain about how tired they are (or for some, someone saying just because you work shifts you shouldnt be more tired). It’s certainly the case for me. Ill set up the situation:

Where I work we have various patterns but the main two are. 1) which us shift workers call “routine staff” who work 0845-1715 mon-fri and 2) shift workers who work 2x 0800-2000 and 2x 2000-0800 with four days off.

One extremely busy day, a routine member of staff starting complaining about how tired they were at about 1645 whilst yawning. Meanwhile us, the shift worker now into the second day shift will suddenly down tools and set upon this poor routine staff who has every weekend off, every Xmas off & bank holiday. “Tired? You don’t know even know the f***ing meaning of the word tired! Work our shift, come back to me then tell me how f***ing tired you are.” and off walks the shift worker. Of course at this point the routine staff member has now learnt a valuable lesson – never complain how tired you are to a shift worker.

Another thing that annoys me and i know it does a few other shift workers (and I don’t know why having worked 6 in a row), is Christmas. All those people who have every Christmas off & go on about it, moan about having to see the family – especially those you wouldnt see any other time of the year (though tbh I don’t blame you, I would too), enjoy their time off as then moan like a baby who’s had its toy taken away about having to go back to work after.

The shift worker won’t be able to have time off Christmas or new year (unlucky if shifts fall on all). A shift worker may not get to have a Christmas dinner. Those in the emergency services will be busy saving lives, dealing with cases (often fuelled by alcohol excess and seeing family you don’t get on with), and yep when you go back to work – the shift worker is still working.

So next time you’re off at Christmas, valentines or bank holiday etc enjoying time off and being with friends/loved ones, stop and give a little thought & thanks to those who are working – especially those in the emergency services. After all someone has to keep Britain going and everyone safe.