The Twilight Shift

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They usually cannot work between 10pm and 6am (this can be changed to not working between 11pm and 7am, by contract) but there are exceptions if they work in: Working best as part of a two or three-week cycle, a staggered day shift pattern consists of five eight-hour days over the course of a week. Days off are then set differently for members of staff. Allen, S., Earl, C. & Taylor, P. 2015, “Retirement is a dream at 55, but not a reality. Can nurses work until 70?”, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, vol. 22, no. 7, pp. 18 Night shifts are typically 10pm to 6am, Monday to Friday. Some shift-workers work nights as part of a three-shift working arrangement, while others work permanent nights without any rotation into days. When used in isolation, 4 x 12 hour night shifts are popular, in conjunction with 4 consecutive days off. These are often referred to as 4-on 4-off shifts. The 4-on 4-off model can also be used for daytime shifts, or a combination of both, for example, where someone works for 4 consecutive days, followed by 4 days off, then 4 consecutive nights.

Having physios on hand for longer hours is cost-effective, as CSP senior negotiating officer Andy Ballard points out. Their work helps to free up hospital beds and reduce the time that facilities such as operating theatres are left idle. But this raises questions about staffing levels. ‘Yes, some people will come at 8pm instead of during the day,’ says Mr Ballard. ‘But generally if you want a longer service you need more staff. We’ve got to persuade employers that if they spend more money on physiotherapy they’ll be saving money on other things.’Night workers who deal with special hazards or whose work involves mental or physical strain cannot work longer than 8 hours in any 24-hour period. Employers must keep records of night workers’ working hours to show they are not exceeding the limits. An employer cannot change a shift pattern without notice or without good time to avoid confusion. However, legally, it is unclear what ‘good time’ means, and so the time frame can vary from business to business.

The 5K Twilight Shift is a fundraising event, raising vital funds to help critically ill or injured patients. The number of hours that workers get paid the National Minimum Wage depends on whether they’re expected to sleep or work for most of their shift. Night shifts sometimes come with extra pay due to the unsociable hours but can suit some staff members' lifestyles.They usually follow a Monday-to-Friday pattern, with a typical night shift starting at 10 pm and finishing at 6 am the next day.

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My personal opinion is that people who don’t work in the field at all cannot maintain their competence, unless they have a structured programme with release on a regular basis to maintain their skills.’