Shiftworker.com: Describe your connection and linkage to shiftwork.

Manyon: I have been on shiftwork for 22 years.   I am a Pres Operator.  I work usually from 7:45 p.m. to 4:15 a.m.. Tuesday nights through Saturday night.

Shiftworker.com: What is the good news and bad news about shiftwork?

Manyon: I was always able to go to school things with my children during the day; like field trips.  A lot of the time I would be the only dad there.  The bad news is that after awhile your friends just don't ask you to do things any more. It's hard on your social life.

Shiftworker.com: What is surprising on interesting about shiftwork?

Manyon: I remember one time my daughter told me, "Dad, we like you working nights because you were always home when we got home from school."

Shiftworker.com: What is the impact of shiftwork on your life?

Manyon: Having trouble going to sleep at night when I get home.  Also, my eating habits are probably not good.  My first meal of the day is usually dinner, then a snack at work, and when I get home I have a sandwich.

Shiftworker.com: What is the future of shiftwork for you?

Manyon: I will probably be on shiftwork for my whole career and some of that will be by choice.

Interview with Marilyn Manyon, Wife of Pat Manyon.

Shiftworker.com: Describe your connection to shiftwork.

M. Manyon: During the past 27 years (22 on shiftwork) we have raised twin daughters, Michelle and Melissa, 19 years old. I have gone to college and received a degree and returned to the work force in a non-shiftwork capacity. Currently I am the Marketing Coordinator for a vocational high school. My hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4: p.m. Monday through Friday.

Shiftworker.com: What is the good news and bad news about shiftwork?

M. Manyon: Good news:  Daddy was able to be home when our daughters came home from school  Also, he will fix dinner, and it will be ready when I get home. Bad news: His Friday night is my Monday night, so his Saturday and Sunday are right in the middle of my work week.

Shiftworker.com: What is surprising or interesting about shiftwork?

M. Manyon: It is surprising the way shiftworkers find resources within each other and turn to each other for things.

Shiftworker.com: What is the impact of shiftwork on your life?

M. Manyon: Shiftwork drives our lives . . .   it decides when we eat, what social activities we can take part in, what friends we can do things with, and how much we can take part in our local community. Shiftwork does provide an excuse not to do something you really don't want to do.

Shiftworker.com: What would you change about shiftwork?

M. Manyon: Somehow make the working community aware of shiftwork. Also, company functions, holiday recognition, service recognition, and morale-builders are structured around the first shifters.

Shiftworker.com: What is the future of shiftwork?

M. Manyon: My husband will work shiftwork for my and his entire work career.  There is such a large group of employees around the same age, he will never be senior enough to work the Monday through Friday day shift.

Our patients come first.  Our patients come first.
We work as a team. We work as a team.

The first interview is with Estrella M. Anderson, Registration Administrator.

Shiftworker.com:  What is the nature of your job?

Estrella:  I have been on shiftwork fo the past 15 years.  I now work in the emergency room, 11 p.m. - 7 a.m.  Our shift has the least resources including employees. We have a great sense of accomplishment when our shift ends.

Shiftworker.com:  How do you feel about the hours you work?

Estrella:  I am so used to working these hours that I can only think of the good side of it.  If you have children, you can sleep while they are in school and still spend a good amount of time with them. 

Shiftworker. com:  What are some special concerns that you might have?

Estrella: Sometimes it seems that we shiftworkers are not appreciated or thought about enough.  I think that all employers should recognize our contribution to the success of the organization.

Interview with supervisor Helene Durrette, Patient Care Services

Shiftworker.com:  What is your connection to shiftwork?

Helene:  I am a nursing supervisor for University Hospital and work the 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. shift.

Shiftworker.com:  From your viewpoint as a supervisor, what are some positive and negative aspects of shiftwork?

Helene:  The staff seems to either really like the shift, or they are working nights due to family responsibility. Shiftwork allows staff to be more unique, to meet challenges with fewer resources and to use common sense and be creative. The use of mentors becomes very important.

Shiftworker.com: Are there any special concerns you have as a supervisor?

Helene:  All meetings are on days, but now I am working with my administrator to get as many meetings as possible scheduled early in the a.m.  Also, good working relationships and use of electronic mail helps keep up the lines of communication.  I would like to increase educational marketing about shiftwork that would help staff see it as positive rather than a negative experience. Also, we need to try to work with humor to keep things upbeat and teach the staff compassion.

Interview with Phillip Durrette, husband of Helene Durrette

Shiftworker.com:  From your perspective as a spouse of shiftworker, what is the good news and bad news?

Phillip:  The good news is better money, my wife doesn't have to fight traffic, there is no day "chaos," and she does not have the same peer pressure.  Most importantly, we get to spend more time together, and it extends our day for both work and pleasure. There really isn't any bad news because you do not let any bad news affect you.  You cannot do certain things, and that is a fact, not a problem and not bad.  We do not get to travel as much as we used to, but that is a fact,

Shiftworker.com: Describe your connection and linkage to shiftwork.

Penny: I operate a five Strand Finishing Mill at Western Port's Hot Strip M8ill.  My hours are 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. /3 p.m. - 11 p.m. / and 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. on a rotating shift pattern.

Shiftworker.com: What is the good news and bad news about shiftwork?

Penny: Having time through the week to do what I enjoy is great.   I can play gold, go out with my wife and have some time with the kids. The biggest downer for me on shift is only having one weekend off a month.

Shiftworker.com: What is the impact of shiftwork on your life?

Penny:  I find I sleep best after night shift (up to 10 hours) and hardly sleep on day shift.  I have been on shift for 11 years and married for 6, so my wife has not know a "normal" life with me. We get along well, and I think my wife has a pretty good idea of how I feel on the different shifts.  My eating ha its don't vary much.  I never eat breakfast, and on nights I will have something to eat at 3:00 a.m.

Shiftworker.com: What would you change about shiftwork?

Penny: I would ask all managers to do one month of shift every 12-18 months. I think it would help them appreciate the differences and experiences better.

Blattner: I am a mechanic and work 10:42 p.m. to 6:42 a.m. I do heavy duty maintenance, structure repairs, painting, and removing corrosion.

Shiftworker.com:: What is the good news about shiftwork?

Blattner: The good news is driving opposite the traffic and enjoying the lunch time Chinese buffet and not having to rush back to the office as everyone else does.

Shiftworker.com:What is the impact of shiftwork on your life, sleep, nutrition and relationships?

Blattner:  I never seem totally alert during the work week.   I've noticed a decrease in spontaneity and in my sense of humor about little things.   If you divide your sleep into two segments, it's hard to decide when to eat.   It seems you're eating all day long. Even after a good rest, the lethargic feeling seems to be present.

Shiftworker.com:hat would you change about shiftwork?

Blattner: It would be nice to get home and to bed while it's still dark.

Shiftworker.com: What would you keep the same?

Blattner: Not much can be changed.  Third shift is nice if you don't come in contact with the "suit" types as often Less people around.   It's nice in the summer since it's cooler if you work out.

Shiftworker.com:: What is the future of shiftwork for you?

Blattner:  I'll continue until I tire of the hours or don't enjoy having days off.

Jim: I am a unit/complex foreman, and part of my job is to schedule shifts, vacations and extra manpower as needed. I am also a veteran of 26 years of shiftwork. I have worked day shift since 1994. I believe one of the best things about shiftwork is being off when most people are working and also having one-on-one time with your spouse while the kids are in school. Some of the drawbacks are trying to schedule home events and events with other family members.

Deanna: I’m the veteran wife of 26 years of shiftwork. Jim’s job at Marathon Oil has enabled me to be a stay-at-home worker, and we have had foster kids over the years. I think it’s important to be flexible around everybody’s schedule. We have used a calendar to log all our activities. Sometimes, Jim would say that I forgot t tell him what was going on in the family. I’d go to the calendar and say, "Here it is."

Jim: I believe in flexibility too. both at home and at work. The more flexibility the company allows for vacations, swapping shifts, and day off the better the morale and better productivity. I also think you have to be flexible with the family. They have a life too. You have to work around each other’s schedules.

Deanna: Sometimes your spouse or significant other won’t sleep well. Try to find a way to change the routine. Take him/her out to dinner. Find a way to get around all the routine stuff. Remember, he/she will probably sleep better tomorrow.

Jim: I have appreciated all that Deanna has done for me, and if I could talk to a new worker I would tell them to be patient and realize that this will be a drastic change from working straight days. But you will have more usable time off, and that’s the positive thing. Always look on the positive side.

Deanna: If you plan ahead for the different shifts your spouse will be working and all family and friends are notified that there is a shiftworker in the family, things will go semi-smooth. My husband started shiftwork in 1968, and we were there for each other and still are today. It still works that way. You make it what it is.

New shiftworker, Doug Gill and wife, Phoebe

Doug: I am looking forward to more time home with my wife, Phoebe. But we life out in the country, and I am concerned about all the night she will be home alone. I may teach her how to use a gun.

Phoebe: We also have relatives and friend close by, and I feel pretty safe with that.

Doug: I have never worked a shift rotation before. Going to work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be new for me. It will take some adjustment. For the most part, there are a lot of people doing it and I’m sure I will adjust.

Phoebe: His work on holidays may be rough, but I know we will work it out.

Doug: Shiftwork isn't’t the only factor in holiday work and weekend work. My brother started his own business out of town and now that will be a factor in our planning.

Phoebe: Doug and I have figured out ways to communicate, and we expect that well be helpful around holidays and will help us adapt to our new lifestyle.

Doug: We have been married two years and have learned to approach everything with a cool head. If the temperature is too hot, we go our separate ways. When things cool off, we discuses it. Also, Marathon Oil is a positive place to work. It’s been very positive during this initial training phase. It feels more like you’re on a ball team than a job.

Disneyland
Anaheim California

by Janie O'Connor
President, Shiftworker.com
November 1995

Interview with Kellough Price: Custodial Host at Disneyland

See also following articles: PPG Oak Creek Wisconsin,  Human Resources, coordinator, and production worker; and  Waste Water Treatment Plant (St. Paul, Minnesota) supervisor.

Shiftworker.com: Describe your connection and linkage to shiftwork.

Price: My job title is custodial host. I work night from 0030-0830

Shiftworker.com: What is the good news and bad news about shiftwork?

Price: The good news is that you have the time to do things during the day. The bad news is you never see your family as much. An interesting thing is that a person is able to spend time with his own thoughts (alone) and solve many problems.

Shiftworker.com: What is the impact of shiftwork on your life/

Price: It has allowed me to do thing tin my life, such as coaching for kids. I get very little sleep. I seem to eat well and as far as relationships, my wife and I have a good relationship. We do many things together as a team. On my night off, those are dedicated to her.

Shiftworker.com: What would you change about shiftwork?

Price: I would make is so people could have more time off to re-group

Shiftworker.com: What would you keep the same about shiftwork?

Price: Friendship, I have made many friends over the 213 years. The smiles they give me when they see my floors shine and when I return from vacation are greatly appreciated. My friends know I take treat pride in my job, and I feel I do it to the best of my ability.

Shiftworker.com: What is the future of shiftwork for you?

Price: To stay on nights and continue to "crash" during the day. I enjoy and take great pride in my job. If we all work together as a team, it makes it much easier. It doesn't’t matter if you work day or night, we need to help each other as a team.

Waste Water Treatment Plant
St. Paul, Minnesota

by Janie O'Connor
President, Shiftworker.com

Interview with Dotty Morrow, Lead Operator

Shiftworker.com: Tell about the job of lead operator at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Morrow: I supervise ten operators, I work 12 hours, 7 p.m. - 7 a.m., 3 days on week and 4 days the next week.  I like working nights because there's not as many people around. When you work days, you have to stop to work on pumps or electricity, and there's mush more going on.  I like night better.  For some of the people with children, it can be tough. they don't get to some school activities, but they can take a 2 hour vacation if they want to.

Shiftworker.com: How do you cope with the night shift hours?

Morrow: At night I eat a sandwich and avoid heavy meals so that I can stay alert.  I eat a lot of fruit.  I try to sleep when I get home and then again in the late afternoon.  My landlord has asked the yard care people to mow the lawn earlier in the morning because I sleep in the day.  I still hear loud music and other noises though.  My friends know when to call me, and otherwise, the phone doesn't ring too much when I'm sleeping.

Shiftworker.com:  How do you  handle shiftwork problems for the apple you supervise?

Morrow: I tell them if they have something they want to talk about, I am here to listen, and it will be only between them and me.  But I tell them to be sure and get enough sleep. Try to stay alert.  Use good safety procedures.   Safety is the main thing.