12hr shifts are manifestly unproductive and fatiguing.
But the unions like them, because the extra days off (35hr/wk) become rest days, while banging the drum about safety - only when it suits them.
Office workers are falling asleep at their desks by 3pm, so I hear...
All I really know about 12 hour shifts are from nurses. I spent a lot of time chatting them a little while ago and asked this a lot - every single one of them preferred the 12 hour shifts and 3 day weeks.
I have to say I was surprised but you live and learn.
And I was a bloke in a bed with a nurse in my room, not a management consultant who was asking leading questions.
Exactly. People are happier, and do better work, when they feel respected and valued as human beings. The moment you start demanding every single minute of their day is accounted for, you're a guard, not a manager.
Agreed. But you need a culture of respect and trust for this to work. If expectations are different or one side (I don't like sides but for the purposes of debate...) is seem to be taking the p**s then applying more and more control is quite normal and a very vicious circle which can be hard to break. There is a difference between managing and leading too which hasn't been discussed here.
My experience is that a bit of give and take on both sides and a clear understanding - on both sides - of what is really important to each (key drivers) are so all can participate and be rewarded - both financially and through satisfaction.
The only reason I expect people like call centre staff to be on the phone bang on time is so that we can handle customer calls - otherwise someone on the earlier shift stays online a bit longer which happens but isnt really fair if its continual or one sided.
Other than that I couldn't give a monkeys about the minute by minute of the vast majority of professional staff.
But I don't have to make the trains run on time....