Transition from 9 to 5 job to shift work

harrison23 · 23 Jul 2019

Hi,

I'm looking to change career from an office based job to become a train driver (I've passed tests and medical etc) I think my biggest barrier is going to be working shifts, I have been working an office job Monday - Friday 9-5 (or rather 8 till 6) for 25 years and just wondered if anyone else on here has taken the leap and how you found the transition to shift work. The only person I know who is doing this job has already come from a background where they work shifts so can't help on this front. I know it isn't going to be easy but how did you adjust? how long did it take to settle in to the shifts? Thanks very much

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Gorlash1886 · 23 Jul 2019

I'm not on the trains but I did the transition from retail banking into bus driving, our earliest start is 3:30 am latest finish 1am, I'm not going to lie it can be brutal but you can adjust took me about 6 months. Honestly now I wouldn't want to go back to standard office hours. Ultimately very important just to manage your sleeping times and rest periods and you should be fine.
Hope this helps in anyway.

DA1 · 23 Jul 2019

I’m on the trains as a shunter driver and I was exactly the same with shifts being the barrier coming from a job in London but like the post above I wouldn’t go back to a 9-5 job. I adjusted surprisingly quick and enjoy all the rest days off that I get. I would say don’t think into the shifts too much and get stuck in. Enjoy the journey!

harrison23 · 23 Jul 2019

thank you both. feeling a bit more relieved now about taking the leap of faith! my friend did say the training courses killed her doing 9-5 and she couldn't wait to get back to shifts but she's always worked shifts so said to ask other people. Feel loads better now, most of the shifts don't seem too bad it's just those 3.30am starts that look brutal!!! thanks again, looking forward to my new career!!

Zanna · 23 Jul 2019

DA1 said:
I’m on the trains as a shunter driver and I was exactly the same with shifts being the barrier coming from a job in London but like the post above I wouldn’t go back to a 9-5 job. I adjusted surprisingly quick and enjoy all the rest days off that I get. I would say don’t think into the shifts too much and get stuck in. Enjoy the journey!

Hey, may i ask if you have the opportunity to do overtime as a shunter / train preparer? im just in the process of applying and wondering if there is weekend pay/ overtime available on top of basic package?

martin2345uk · 23 Jul 2019

harrison23 said:
Hi,

I'm looking to change career from an office based job to become a train driver (I've passed tests and medical etc) I think my biggest barrier is going to be working shifts, I have been working an office job Monday - Friday 9-5 (or rather 8 till 6) for 25 years and just wondered if anyone else on here has taken the leap and how you found the transition to shift work. The only person I know who is doing this job has already come from a background where they work shifts so can't help on this front. I know it isn't going to be easy but how did you adjust? how long did it take to settle in to the shifts? Thanks very much

Done exactly that! Not started the shift part yet, hoping it doesn’t kill me

GLENMAYE77 · 23 Jul 2019

The hardest part of any shift working is missing out on social events.....once you can accept that you’ll be working whilst others are partying it gets easier.

Stigy · 23 Jul 2019

GLENMAYE77 said:
The hardest part of any shift working is missing out on social events.....once you can accept that you’ll be working whilst others are partying it gets easier.

I’ve worked shifts all/most my working life (that makes me sound older than I actually am!) and find it better than 9-5 (I’ve done few months office hours when covering a management post). I prefer working a 4-day week and like the fact that I can get appointments or do things mid week which would prove difficult working office hours.

There’s a few weekends thrown in, and late turns, but I like my lates. I’m currently office hours whilst driver training and it’s a real culture shock.

bawbster · 23 Jul 2019

Don't work for any train companies (looking to get in ) but I gave up a full time job (08:30 to 17:00 for 15 years) to go to college and it took months to adjust. From being out the house 11 hours per day Monday - Friday to being out 6 hours 3 days per week was hard.

Transition from 9 to 5 job to shift work

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