Extreme Graveyard shift.

djmc0

djmc0

djmc0

Soldato
Joined
6 Sep 2007
Posts
2,886
I've noticed since been I've been forced into shift work (I was really sitched up, working Christmas Day, New Years Day - my birthday, Halloween, and bonfire night) TBH, I can't moan, that is shift work, and to ask other people to cover you would be extremely out of order.

So, what this thread is about, How can I entertain my self on these classical celebrated days? I wouldn't mind but it will be a 12 hr shift in a data centre that is near heathrow, so I'm also forced to learn how to drive and buy a car before Christmas!

Apart from hanging myself, any ideas to pass the time on Christmas day, and New years (did I mention I was on the first of the first?)

This is CONTRACTING!
 
I work nights alone in a hotel, and also frequently get stitched up for holidays and such. I worked last xmas night, and now they're trying to guilt trip me into doing this one too, by telling me the other guy has had a baby and it will be his first xmas with his kid. Makes me sound like an ass for not working it, but sorry mate, that's the price of the job. I'm not being guilt tripped into losing yet another xmas. If he's that bothered about spending it with his family he should find a job that will allow him to do that instead of making other people miss there own xmas's.

Tbh I'm sick of working nights, especially alone. It messes up you sleeping and eating patterns, screws up your social life and messes with your head.
 
Bennie-Mac said:
I loled :D Only thing i can suggest is a laptop and a load of dvds to pass the time... Maybe some mates could pop round and entertain you for a while?
Click to expand...

LOL jezza! :p

Unfortunately I have already made plans for Christmas, but when I agreed to start working shigt, I didn't look far enough work rota, it's totally my fault, it just happens to be that I'm working Bonfire night, Halloween, Christmas and News eve, I can't really moan, as that is the nature of shift work, so I thouggh I'd moan on OCUK.

The major problem is public transport over Christmas! As I'm working Christmas Eve, Christmas Day nad boxing day, I think it may be worth my while purchasing a blow up bed.

Also, The reason they need staff at a datacentre on Christmas and New years Eve, is all down to off-shoring anything of importance to India!

Sorry for the rant guys! :o
 
seek said:
I work nights alone in a hotel, and also frequently get stitched up for holidays and such. I worked last xmas night, and now they're trying to guilt trip me into doing this one too, by telling me the other guy has had a baby and it will be his first xmas with his kid. Makes me sound like an ass for not working it, but sorry mate, that's the price of the job. I'm not being guilt tripped into losing yet another xmas. If he's that bothered about spending it with his family he should find a job that will allow him to do that instead of making other people miss there own xmas's.

Tbh I'm sick of working nights, especially alone. It messes up you sleeping and eating patterns, screws up your social life and messes with your head.
Click to expand...

I feel that man. Working nights you start to get depressed, I'd be the only guy in a huge HUGE data centre, it does get lonely, and in a weird way it effects your social skills, well I that is what I found anyhow
 
I've been doing it for a year now. Definately time to find something new I think, at least if I want any chance of saving the last of my sanity. The problem is that working nights pays 25-30% more than days, and to complicate things I live in the staff house so if I leave the job I lose my home too.

As for what to do at xmas, well last year I just took my laptop and tried to take my mind off the fact that my friends and family were having a great xmas* and mine was sucking.


*Ok so chances are that in all likelihood they had terrible xmas's too, but when you're working it feels like everyone is having a great time except you.
 
seek said:
I've been doing it for a year now. Definately time to find something new I think, at least if I want any chance of saving the last of my sanity. The problem is that working nights pays 25-30% more than days, and to complicate things I live in the staff house so if I leave the job I lose my home too.

As for what to do at xmas, well last year I just took my laptop and tried to take my mind off the fact that my friends and family were having a great xmas* and mine was sucking.


*Ok so chances are that in all likelihood they had terrible xmas's too, but when you're working it feels like everyone is having a great time except you.
Click to expand...

To be fair, the only reason people are there is for if something happnes, and it never does man. That's why tempted to learn ro drive, as we are onlu going to be there for support. And me being naughty, I can be on site within 1/2 hour...

God damn managers that think they are saving money by off-shoring IT! Short term vision!

What are you going to be doing if you are stitched this year?
 
I do some nights for 12hour shifts. I am doing one now. What have I done tonight? Surfed the web, watched some tv, few more tv programs and now Machete (The greatest Man movie ever!).

Do you have a tv? Maybe bring in a console or laptop...
 
djmc0 said:
What are you going to be doing if you are stitched this year?
Click to expand...
Well the plus side of the job is that there's probably only around three hours woth of work in the average 8 hour shift, so I can watch vids on my laptop, play some games, help myself to free food from the hotel kitchen and even sleep if there's no one around. It almost makes it sound like a good job doesn't it?

Last year when I worked xmas night some ***** had left the taps on in one of the rooms upstairs and the sink was blocked. This happend like 10 hours or so before my shift, so in the middle of the night a woman came to me from downstairs and said there was a leak in her room. So I went out expecting a little drip, but water was literally gushing in through the ceiling and both of the rooms were like swimming pools, so I had to call the manager in. :D

But yeah I don't think I'll be doing anyhting particularly special if I do end up working again. Just passing the time on my laptop and looking forward to a few beers when I get home. :cool:
 
That is true, it seems as though it's just a matter of just passing the time, I'm lucky in away, I'm contracted to an It company that works directly for a swiss bank, that pretty much exposes me one way or the other, and I've just this mnute got text saying we can pass off taxi fare as expenses, which I've done before due to lateness.

Still, if you work shift work, and unfortunately, you get these days, you can't really complain... Right? it's the way **** rolls. Just bad luck right? I say this as, I am new at this place, and last week they asked me to go on shigt, I agreed, withouth looking into it :(
 
I'm coming to up to my 4th Christmas in 5 years working. Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day this year. Thank **** for overtime :D

Laptop/films/TV/books etc. Any time you feel like you're getting bored or resenting it, just remember you're getting paid to do this....
 
Marine Iguana said:
Night shifts are awesome so quiet no one around and surf the web, work on my car :eek: or just watch TV :D
Click to expand...

I agree if it's just the occasional night. Working nights would be fine then, or if you were doing it over a matter of months. But after a year of nights it's a different story. :/

I was over the moon when I first got the job. Boasting to everyone that I got paid to watch vids and sleep etc. But over time the negative aspects of working nights gradually get to you.

And working nights in a hotel over december means something else too... Having to deal with hordes of drunk people. :(
 
djmc0 said:
I've noticed since been I've been forced into shift work (I was really sitched up, working Christmas Day, New Years Day - my birthday, Halloween, and bonfire night)

This is CONTRACTING!
Click to expand...

they make you work halloween and bonfire night?

disgusting tbh
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom