Overnight shift

[RogerSC]

I don't think your suggestion is a good one for long term employment unless the manager also has apnea. Most people have no idea of the seriousness of this problem or what is required to get it under control and keep it that way; it would most likely "sound" like an excuse to the uninformed and you could be seen as not a team player. I agree with suck it up, it is temporary, many people live with rotating shifts and if you plan on being here a long time you will be looked on more favorably for helping out the team.

My employment history has been different than yours. I've had understanding managers that wanted to retain me, and they've been tuned into medical issues. I'm not suggesting an ultimatum, just bringing it up as an issue. With the managers that I've had, I'd feel fine about running it by them and seeing how they reacted. Your experience has apparently been different, one never knows. A judgement call, prior history with a manager definitely plays into this.

[Mr Snuffy]

I work a swing shift a few nights every other week. I found taking a nap in the afternoon (with my CPAP) for a few hrs works great to get me through the night. I am on 16 hr shifts during these nightshifts and am exhausted when i get out. I do the same to switch back to days by sleeping about 4 hrs and then get up to go to bed about normally at night.

[flightco]

I don't think your suggestion is a good one for long term employment unless the manager also has apnea. Most people have no idea of the seriousness of this problem or what is required to get it under control and keep it that way; it would most likely "sound" like an excuse to the uninformed and you could be seen as not a team player. I agree with suck it up, it is temporary, many people live with rotating shifts and if you plan on being here a long time you will be looked on more favorably for helping out the team.

My employment history has been different than yours. I've had understanding managers that wanted to retain me, and they've been tuned into medical issues. I'm not suggesting an ultimatum, just bringing it up as an issue. With the managers that I've had, I'd feel fine about running it by them and seeing how they reacted. Your experience has apparently been different, one never knows. A judgement call, prior history with a manager definitely plays into this.

I am not talking about my employment history because my manager is a Cpap user and is the one who told me about it, he is also a friend. I can also tell you if shift work was required he would be the first one on board, he leads by example. My comments are based on the fact that I have been around the block a few times and have seen all kinds of situations and outcomes. If you have been on your job a few years and have a good reputation you could probably pull this off (although, like my manager, I don't want special treatment I want to pull every bit of my own weight. I am also type 1 diabetic and have never, not once, taken any special consideration because of this, as a matter of fact, most people who have known me for years are shocked to find out I am type 1).
If, however, you are in a new job or have a new manager, your situation could be deemed an excuse if your manager is not familiar with apnea.

I am a project manager who supports 9 sales reps; of the 9, four are on Cpap (yes we are a seasoned group but one of the cpap users is only 41). If the job requires being at an account at 5:00AM everyone required would be there without complaint, just the way it is.

[BlackSpinner]

Oh My golly goodness! How could people even think that companies should acknowledge the humanity of their employees!!!!!

Employees should be like robots! Fire the people who have "issues" FIRE THEM! Next thing you know they will want to be paid a decent salary! Heat in the offices, windows even and OMG Fire escapes!

Just fire them all and get them as private contractors then you don't have to worry about benefits or ANYTHING!!! That will teach them a thing or two about loyalty!

[Hopeful50]

I've been volunteered to man 5 separate shifts over that 3 week period and 3 of those shifts involve a 7pm to 7am shift. The first overnight being this Saturday. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to manage my sleep so that I'm:

1). Not falling asleep on the job
2). Not messing up my sleep pattern so much that I pay the price for days or weeks afterwards.

It sounds like you're making the problem worse by all this worrying ahead of time. You're paying the price for days/weeks BEFORE.

It's only 3 nights over a period of 3 weeks . . . try to just put one foot in front of the other and relax!

[flightco]

Oh My golly goodness! How could people even think that companies should acknowledge the humanity of their employees!!!!!

Employees should be like robots! Fire the people who have "issues" FIRE THEM! Next thing you know they will want to be paid a decent salary! Heat in the offices, windows even and OMG Fire escapes!

Just fire them all and get them as private contractors then you don't have to worry about benefits or ANYTHING!!! That will teach them a thing or two about loyalty!

I doubt very seriously that my company would try to get rid of someone for medical problems, but I wouldn't know because for the most part everyone takes personal responsibility seriously. If I couldn't do my job because of apnea or diabetes, I would look for another job I wouldn't put them in the position of needing to make that decision.

[tazmania]

Thanks for all of the ideas and experiences.

To quote Bill I"m sure I'll just suck it up. Nice response BTW.

I did talk this over with my manager and he said if I needed to shift and the Conversion team couldn't find someone for me to switch with HE'D COVER MY SHIFT. What a guy! There's no way I'm looking for a different job with a boss like that. Great guy.

I am going to try to stay up a little later than normal tonight and see if my natural sleep clock doesn't wake me at 5 like it does almost every day. I will be attempting to get in a good nap tomorrow afternoon. The wife is taking the kids out for the day so they won't be disturbing my nap. I'm in good shape for a nap as our room already has shades that keep the room pretty dark, ceiling fan, etc.

I also plan to do an early workout so I can burn some energy. That should bring on a nap later in the day.

I'm gonna load up the lunch box with decent things to eat for the shift. This command center is full of free food but it's all junk (carb loaded goodies, pretzels, cookies, crackers, candy, etc.) blech.

I won't be drinking much if any caffeine. If I have more than say 12 oz of coffee I get jittery. I drink decaf.

For sure I'll crash hard when I get home Sunday. Hopefully I'll sleep until Tuesday.

[tazmania]

OH and just an FYI. This isn't my first rodeo having to pull an all nighter. Done it at least a half dozen times in the last 6 or 7 years. So while I'm concerned about how I'll feel all next week I'm not freaked out.

I just wanted a good plan and with all the great ideas and experiences I think I'm in good shape. Worse case I'll just deal with the fallout afterwards.

On a good note I've been getting some really good sleep. My 7 day average on the CPAP is now up to 6.25 hours. Before I came here and got the new equipment I was averaging less than 4. Large leaks almost non-existant. AHI is less than 1.

Today I feel about as good as I have in a very long time!!!

Thanks CPAPTalk members.

[ChicagoGranny]

Today I feel about as good as I have in a very long time!!!

[tazmania]

Granny. Is that you there in the front row?

[Thatgirl]

Oh My golly goodness! How could people even think that companies should acknowledge the humanity of their employees!!!!!

Employees should be like robots! Fire the people who have "issues" FIRE THEM! Next thing you know they will want to be paid a decent salary! Heat in the offices, windows even and OMG Fire escapes!

Just fire them all and get them as private contractors then you don't have to worry about benefits or ANYTHING!!! That will teach them a thing or two about loyalty!

Some facilities have to operate 24/7 by their very nature. Working a night shift is not the end of the world and is far from being forced to work in a fire trap for unfair compensation. No one likes night shift, but three shifts shouldn't make or break anyone's career.

[flightco]

Oh My golly goodness! How could people even think that companies should acknowledge the humanity of their employees!!!!!

Employees should be like robots! Fire the people who have "issues" FIRE THEM! Next thing you know they will want to be paid a decent salary! Heat in the offices, windows even and OMG Fire escapes!

Just fire them all and get them as private contractors then you don't have to worry about benefits or ANYTHING!!! That will teach them a thing or two about loyalty!

Some facilities have to operate 24/7 by their very nature. Working a night shift is not the end of the world and is far from being forced to work in a fire trap for unfair compensation. No one likes night shift, but three shifts shouldn't make or break anyone's career.

Stop, common sense is not permitted here, we only allow theatrics and name calling, being hysterical is also permitted - but common sense, no not allowed:D

[ChicagoGranny]

Granny. Is that you there in the front row?

Second row, far right.

[Thatgirl]

Oh My golly goodness! How could people even think that companies should acknowledge the humanity of their employees!!!!!

Employees should be like robots! Fire the people who have "issues" FIRE THEM! Next thing you know they will want to be paid a decent salary! Heat in the offices, windows even and OMG Fire escapes!

Just fire them all and get them as private contractors then you don't have to worry about benefits or ANYTHING!!! That will teach them a thing or two about loyalty!

Some facilities have to operate 24/7 by their very nature. Working a night shift is not the end of the world and is far from being forced to work in a fire trap for unfair compensation. No one likes night shift, but three shifts shouldn't make or break anyone's career.

Stop, common sense is not permitted here, we only allow theatrics and name calling, being hysterical is also permitted - but common sense, no not allowed:D

[Thatgirl]

Granny. Is that you there in the front row?

Second row, far right.