Monday, September 15, 2008 DingleBob asks

Q: Is my work schedule creating unhealthy conditions?

I have a sleep pattern, but it takes 28 days to complete one cycle before the pattern repeats. Is this an unsafe environment to continue working in?

I keeping getting told by various doctors I've visited that I have sleep apnea. I've used a cpap machine for several months with no success. I mention the odd working hours I keep but it gets dismissed without even being asked what my schedule is. I have complained to my employer, but get told basically work this schedule or get fired.

Here is the schedule I am working and have been told this is the standardized company schedule for my position. This is the 28 day cycle as it usually unfolds:

Week #1

Sunday 2:30pm - 11:30pm [Swing]

Monday 5am - 2pm [Day]

Tuesday 10pm - Wednesday 7am [Grave]

Wednesday - OFF

Thursday - OFF

Friday 2pm - 11am [Swing]

Saturday 9pm - Sunday 8am

Week #2

Sunday 2:30pm - 11:30pm

Monday 5am - 2pm

Tuesday 10pm - Wednesday 7am (Whole shift is considered to be Tuesday)

Wednesday - OFF

Thursday - OFF

Friday 2pm - 11pm

Saturday 9pm - Sunday 8am (Whole shift is considered to be Saturday)

Week #3

Sunday 2:30pm - 11:30pm

Monday 5am - 2pm

Tuesday 10pm - Wednesday 7am

Wednesday - OFF

Thursday - OFF

Friday 2pm - 11pm

Saturday 10pm - Sunday 1pm (Whole shift considered as Saturday)

Week#4

Sunday - OFF

Monday 4am - 1pm

Tuesday 4am - 1pm

Wednesday 4am - 1pm

Thursday 4am - 1pm

Friday - OFF

Saturday 9pm - Sunday 8am

Repeat this four week cycle.

Does anyone know if this will come back to haunt me later in life?

Quite frankly I have no idea whether I am coming or going most of the time.

- A
- A
- A

Answers (2)

Sue

9/16/08 10:06pm

Thanks so much for your posted question. It sound slike you have a few things that could be happening; i hope our material can help you find a solution to you situation.

Check out our links to these related topics:

Shift Work

The Basics of CPAP

I hope this helps and all the best, sue

Jennifer L. Fee, Psy.D., Psychologist

9/18/08 5:01pm

Dear DingleBob,

I'm sorry that doctors have dismissed your shift schedule, because it is well known that shift work is difficult on normal sleep/wake functioning. Shift Work Sleep Disorder is a circadian sleep rhythm disorder that affect people who change their work and sleep schedules frequently. It is possible that SWSD explains some of your difficulties.

Here is a SharePost with some tips for coping with shiftwork: The Hazards of Coping With Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD

Your employer may say this is a "normal" schedule for your position, but frankly it looks like an extremely difficult and overwhelming schedule. I noticed that some days (such as Week 1 Sunday and Monday) you have very little time from the end of one shift to the beginning of another, I think only 4-5 hours!

I know it could be a challenge to switch careers/jobs, but think about that possibillity. Also, please don't give up on getting your sleep apnea treated, as that is not helping your situation either.

Q: Is my work schedule creating unhealthy conditions?

I hope this helps and all the best, sue

Related Questions

Ask a Question