Job/life advice from others

[Musclehead]

I’ve been working a second shift job for about 8 years now. Iv only worked two jobs, 8 years outside 1st shift, and now the 8 years 2nd shift indoors.

1st shift has always been my fav. I get more done in those days outside of work, and easier to get meals in. Because I’d be still sleeping, rather then getting up at 6am. I also prefer my time outside of work, instead of making more money when extra 0T hours are offered.

I’ve been thinking of leaving my job in the fall, for anything 1st shift.

Has anymore left a job for less pay , so they can work 1st shift and enjoy there time outside of work? How did this work out for you ?

 

[Poppy]

I have not.

I was exactly the opposite…out of 40 something years in the workforce I had several years on 3rd shift…loved it. Probably 20 or so on 2nd shift…loved it… rest on day’s…it was ok. Now my retirement gig has me on days with extremely flexible hours and teleworking a lot so no complaints there.

 

[Ominous]

I left a third shift career. For a first shift one.
Same field of work. But in a different county. It actually pays a bit more than I was getting.

But I probably would still have done it even if I took a cut in pay. Depending on how much the pay cut is.

Sleep is better and I can do things now like “normal” people. I am not getting up at 4pm to head in for a 6pm to 6am 12 hour shift.

 

[Poppy]

At my plant we got 7% 2nd shift differential. Our 2nd shift was 3:30p to 11:45p so it wasn’t terrible. I could go straight home and be in bed at 12:15a. Now post shift ot was different. Getting off at 1:45a…

 

[Musclehead]

I see. I do not have any retirement. That was pulled from the contract few years before I was hired . Everyone thats left is grandfathered in, I belive is the term.

Idk how 3rd shift would feel for me. I’d try it. Right now I’m that 3 to 11 30pm. I lose out on Friday nights ,weekends fly by when you only have Saturday and Sunday.

Every girlfriend iv had works opposite shifts. Pros and cons. Opposite shifts never caused relationship issues .but I’d rather have a same shift job as my other half.

 

[Poppy]

I understand completely. Big decision

 

[NeuroRN]

I left a surgical sales job making great money, but hated my life.

Went back to school to make no money for a few years to go back to nursing school to make much less money for for the next several years.

Pick what’s important to you. What makes your life enjoyable. And find a way to fit that.

I know people who make 30k a year but get to do the things they love and they are way happier than my friends making 200k a year and miserable 5 days a week.

 

[Poppy]

I passed on several big promotions in the past because of just that. I was making good money and loved what I did… the promotions would have put into that category… mo money AND misery.

 

[NeuroRN]

It’s never worth it. @Musclehead if you have an Instagram, go check out garyVee dude is the one championing this mindset now and forever.

 

[JLee]

Quality of life is huge and if working 1st shift would improve it then I would say go for it. I do a swing shift and would prefer straight nights to days. Would probably even take a pay cut to do so

 

[Cluster]

Jobs no… buying out new and bigger farms yes plenty. I have just decided this week not to put up my hay crop this year bc of the no sleep deal. Thats about 13 to 15k right off the bottom line but I’ll be ok. I would always look at an opportunity as if it had all the possibilities of negativity so it never could be worse than what i thought getting in it. As im older now and have a kid i have to say no moreoften than not. And its alright bc i wanna be around when my kids growing up

 

[herrubermensch]

Echoing @Poppy and @NeuroRN , I’ve had many opportunities to switch firms during my 30-odd year career in law. Each time, the money was at least 1/3 more, sometimes nearly 100% more. But I would have to abandon the firm in which I’ve spent my entire adult life, where I met most of my continuing friends, that knows my quirks and tolerates them because it sees the value I add, and that emphasizes collegiality as much as it does quality of lawyering. Even double the money was not enough to make me forfeit those things. As a result, I have had a great career AND a great life. Quality of life is at least as important as money when it comes to a job.

 

[Poppy]

Quality of life is at least as important as money when it comes to a job.

Amen

 

[Rusty]

Lot to consider. Do you have kids a family? How is the change going to affect family life. All in all I would assume first shift is better for family. At least with mine it is.

Can’t be a huge difference in money. Also how old are you. How much do you make. In the trades we are so short of skilled labor and it pays real well. Here in Wisconsin we make more then most with a college education. An avg journeyman can easily bring in 80k. A foreman over 100k. But they also work more hours. Have you ever considered the trades?

 

[Yusuk99]

Best advice I can give is try to consider what you want your life to look like in 10 or 20 years man and try to set yourself up for it. I took a big pay cut to start a new job to build experience in my field about 6 years ago hoping it would lead me to the job I dreamed of and fortunately it worked out.

 

[Musclehead]

No kids ,a car payment. 32 years young, when I look at jobs available , it seems the pay cut would be 3-4$ less. I’d also lose out on the more important things that I gained at current job ,like my 15 vacation days, and all the paid holidays off. But I also feel those days don’t matter as much, if you work 1st shift. Because you get out of work during the day.

Its a union job, for whatever that means these days. I’m looking after the summer for something that just peaks my interest and different. I don’t want to work harder for the same pay or less pay. Maybe sit on a stole behind planet fitness who knows. I have 8 years experience from my previous job with lawn care/snow removal. That would be a good option to go back to.

 

[Rusty]

If you have a good solid resume, meaning lots of years for same company and good referrals a company in the trades would probably negotiate benefits just to get you on board. Like paid vacation is the cheapest benefit to the employer. If you came to me with a solid resume and said I am looking to become a journeyman electrician but I don’t want to lose paid vacation time I would easily give you two weeks paid vacation to come on board.

 

[Aude_Aliquid_Dignu]

Agreed if a company wants you you can usually negotiate at least your current incentive package…plus a little extra.

I don’t know about where you live but where I live people are falling over themselves for talent.

 

[Rusty]

Same here. Kids that show up for work everyday on time are naming their price. One kid dumb as a rock shows up ED and works hard. Just have to fix half the shot he does. But another company offered him more money and his current employer matched plus gave him an extra two dollars per hour. So he went from twenty to twenty seven dollars per hour. Pissed off a lot of people that are making twenty seven and been there a lot longer. But hey what ya gonna do. Labor is a precious commodity nowadays