The Idler

GMTV

For obvious reasons I wish to remain anonymous. Here are the worst bits of being on the nighshift:

1: Inadequate heating overnight during the winter months. Staff often have to work wearing coats. Central heating system switches off at about 8pm and switches on 6am.

2: Hot food is NOT supplied overnight. Staff have to supply their own food for the microwave. A small box of pastries IS supplied or you can buy ice cold sandwiches from a vending machine (if any remain). If you forget to supply your own food you starve! Tea and coffee is free of charge.

3: Staff are frequently bawled out and humiliated by management in the open plan office for everyone to hear.

4: Most staff are not permitted to book a single day’s leave. They are forced to book a minimum of 5 days.

5: Antiquated 40 hour week. If busy, staff are expected to work overtime without pay. Some people are able to start later the next day, although this is not possible for most.

6: Overnight, most staff work a 12 - 14 hour shift without a proper break away from their workstation. If someone does disappear for an hour, they are usually reprimanded.

7: A strong “Someone must be to blame” culture. Management appear to have a problem accepting that things will go wrong during a daily live 3 1/2 hour show.

8: Staff at home on sick leave frequently get phone calls from management wanting to know “how much longer they will be off”.

9: Dayshift staff are given time off to go to the company Christmas and Summer parties. Nightshift workers are not!

Miserable

Anon