Changes

[Tarkus60]

The times they are a changing.
For more than 20+ years I have worked a 12 hour rotation. In 2 weeks we go to M-F 8 hour shifts. So much for the new economy.
My co- workers are extremely upset, most have built their life around this schedule.
I am going to retire next April, maybe I should just go now?
This is a big change for us. Plus it is a pay cut, that does not really affect me. But it does some of my co-workers with kids.

 

[Vibroluxer]

Things change. All I can offer is to try your best to focus on the positive, whatever that might be.

If you can afford to retire now, why not give the new schedule a chance? You can still retire whenever you like after trying it out.

 

[blue metalflake]

I’ve done a few shift changes during my working life & they were always a pain, but mostly people got used to them.
I suspect that if you decided to walk away now, it would affect your pension, so probably best to hang in there.

 

[Wrighty]

The times they are a changing.
For more than 20+ years I have worked a 12 hour rotation. In 2 weeks we go to M-F 8 hour shifts. So much for the new economy.
My co- workers are extremely upset, most have built their life around this schedule.
I am going to retire next April, maybe I should just go now?
This is a big change for us. Plus it is a pay cut, that does not really affect me. But it does some of my co-workers with kids.

Quit now, if you don’t need to work and were just seeing out your time, why have one last year of being totally p****d off?

 

[hemingway]

Change happens. If we don't see that coming then we haven't been paying attention.

I sympathise completely with people adversely affected. But there are worse changes than this, trust me.

Plus, I don't want to sound like some bleach-toothed motivational speaker, but some changes are opportunities.

 

[StuH]

Hunker down and save what you can for your last year, treat the chatter at work like it's white noise.

 

[burntfrijoles]

It’s okay to be upset. However it’s out of your and your coworkers’ control. Change is hard and often inconvenient or life changing. There’s no sugar coating that.
The landscape for workers has changed dramatically in my lifetime: lack of job stability; loss of pensions; automation; ”be thankful you have a job” management culture; paid time off benefits, etc.
If you can afford to retire earlier than your planned time, do it. I left about a year earlier than planned because it wasn’t worth the aggravation and burnout I felt.

Remember the old meme:
“ we the (un)willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.”

This quote from long ago has characterized multiple “new economy“ paradigm shifts over decades.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

I can understand how your coworkers have planned for 12 hour shifts, but really, isn't 8 hour days better? I would think the shift from 8hr->12hr would be a harder change.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

You're able to retire soon. Probably with some sort of pension and investments plus SS. So you're covered.

We have a saying in our family, "You can do anything for a year." Stick it out and see what pops.
Look at your worklife as a sitcom you're binging on TV - every day is a new espisode of somebody else's struggles with The Man. Plus you get paid for watching!

I'm semi-retired. No "real job," but work from home with just one client these days.
Plenty of time to waste posting here, working on guitars, napping with cat, etc.
Retirement presents its own challenges, so be prepared for that.
But remember, "Living well is the best revenge."

 

[ChicknPickn]

Resistance to change is very human. But how many times do we find that when we roll with the changes, they actually are okay?

 

[Knows3Chords]

I worked in a 24/7/365 environment for years. Near the end they made us go from 8 hour shifts to 12 so they could have only 2 shifts instead of 3. They made all the hourly workers salaried so they could more than 40 hours a week out of them without paying overtime. It's the new way of doing things now. I feel for you. Everyone I know my age says the closer they get to retirement, the harder their job seems to get. Give the new schedule a try, maybe you will like it. Good luck man.

 

[Dan German]

If it were me, I would at least see how it plays before punching out. Might be OK, might not, but if you have the option to go, save that card for when you are sure you need it.

I can understand how your coworkers have planned for 12 hour shifts, but really, isn't 8 hour days better? I would think the shift from 8hr->12hr would be a harder change.

I once worked a 12 hr rotation alternating days and nights. It was the best shift I ever worked.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

Goes without saying I'm crossing of the days until retirement. C'mon 2025!

 

[Tarkus60]

I will miss not having days off during the week. So easy for doctors and dentist app.Going fishing on a tuesday when no one is on the lake.
Taking 24 hours vacation and getting a week off. Plus 8 hours of overtime every pay period.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

I will miss not having days off during the week. So easy for doctors and dentist app.Going fishing on a tuesday when no one is on the lake.
Taking 24 hours vacation and getting a week off. Plus 8 hours of overtime every pay period.

I see.

 

[dented]

Yeah well here it is from only my eyes. I worked for years on 12 hr shifts with overtime (healthcare) but I was always called in on my days off. For about 5 years I had only 4-5 days off each month. Then right when I turned 62 they offered me M-F 8hr shifts and no OT (not entirely correct but nice concept.) I loved those shorter days and getting to leave at 5pm. If I had a doctor or dentist appointment I just took the time off because it was necessary. I only worked until I just barely turned 65 but those last years on 8 hour shifts were okay. And don't worry about your coworkers, it is time to direct your attention to yourself and set yourself up for rocking chair guitar days.

 

[thunderbyrd]

Hunker down and save what you can for your last year, treat the chatter at work like it's white noise.

exactly what i'd recommend. get all you can while you can.