I Do Shift Work, Up And Running
6 March 2007I do shift work. It seems as though I have always done shift work. I know that isn’t true, for there was a time when I was normal. In 1976 I ended the normal life and joined the ranks of the many shift workers who labour while others are sound asleep, eating Thanksgiving diner with their families, enjoying a weekend at the lake, or attending church services on Sunday.
I’m not complaining. Shift work has provided for my family a pretty good life. It could have been better had it not been for a few foolish mistakes on my part, but all in all, I think there would be a great number of people who would change positions with me in a hurry.
I work in a chemical plant. For some years I lumped shift workers into the chemical plant or refinery category and failed to realize the other professions that also require shift work. Noble medical professions such as doctors and nurses are not spared their turn at shift work. There are simpler, yet necessary and honourable professions such as convenient store clerks or security personnel. How about law enforcement officers or toll booth workers who work shift work? There are firemen, soldiers, ministers, factory workers, off-shore oil rig workers in a variety of different jobs. Sailors, welders, hookers, wrecker drivers, bar tenders, cooks, hotel staff, the list goes on and on. Of course I don’t want to leave out what may be the toughest shift work job of all, mother.
If you think about it, shift work has always been around. The Sheppard tended his flock at night, and the ancient soldier stood watch, just to name a couple. Shift work is a part of our society. Even though we depend on it to survive, it has its peculiar stresses. That is what “I Do Shift Work†is all about. It is a common place for shift workers to share experiences and maybe help someone out who is struggling with the riggers of the schedule. Here, you can step outside the constraints of your particular profession and into the group known as shift workers.
We are just getting started and we aren’t real sure where this site is going to go. A lot will depend on the input we get and volunteer authors and contributors. What we do know, is we will make every attempt to keep it clean, informative, and entertaining.
And those are my first thoughts. It’s bound to get better.
on April 1st, 2007 at 2:20 am
Well put… I never really thought about all the other professions that work shift work. Personally, I used to dislike working shift work, but now I would have it no other way. I did the monday thru friday 7-5 schedule last year and it was not pleasent. My arcadian clock did stabalize…. but what’s the fun in that… as I write this at 3:00AM on my days off… my sleep schedule is stuck some where between days and nights… lol.
on July 19th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Mike…
No! You shouldn’t do that!…
on October 5th, 2008 at 12:41 am
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