You’re thinking about accepting a third-shift job, but you’ve heard stories. So, are they true? Here are the biggest misconceptions about working third shift… and the real story!
You Won’t Get Enough Sleep
FALSE. The truth is you CAN get enough sleep working late hours if you establish a sleep schedule. There’s no question the night shift goes against your natural tendencies. Normally, when darkness falls you start to feel drowsy. However, YOU have the power to reprogram your body’s biological clock. Begin by scheduling 7 to 9 hours each day for sleep. This could be from early morning to midafternoon or midafternoon to late evening. (Segmented sleep or breaking your rest into two 4 to 5 hours blocks may be an option too.) Once you’ve decided when you’ll sleep, stick to this routine. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day improves the quality and length of your sleep. Additionally, even though it’s daytime, make sure your bedroom stays quiet and dark. Many shift workers find room darkening blinds and/or earplugs are well worth the cost.
You’ll Never See Your Family
FALSE. As with not getting enough sleep, this statement simply isn’t true. Yet, once again, you’ll need to adjust to a non-traditional schedule. For example, let’s say you sleep from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You could wake up, fix dinner, enjoy an evening with your family and THEN go to work. Interestingly, working the night shift often improves parent/child relationships. A recent study showed third shift allows parents to spend more time with their children especially during important parts of the day such as right after school.
No One Want to Work Third Shift
FALSE. It’s a fact. If you asked, many people would pick first shift over third. Nevertheless, the best shift for you isn’t the best shift for another person. Some employees prefer third shift over both second and first. Plus, the night shift has its own set of advantages. Many companies pay higher rates to encourage employees to work this less popular time slot. You could put this money toward savings, a special vacation or early retirement. Also, commute times tend to be shorter during off-hours. Reducing your drive time by only 15 minutes per day adds up to 65 hours or over 2.7 days each year. Finally, some people thrive in the quieter nighttime atmosphere. They find they can get more done with less interference and fewer distractions.
Are You Interested in a Third-Shift Job?
If you think a night shift job could be right for you, FirstStaff has open positions! We place light industrial workers and office staff with top companies in Fort Smith, Arkansas and beyond. Browse all our available jobs and discover your next opportunity today!
