When working as a correctional officer, you will probably get either night shift or also day shift. Each shift will surely have its own advantages and disadvantages. Even though you know each own pros and cons for each shift, you may not have the right to accept or refuse it.
If the day shift allows you to always get help and also have the bigger opportunity to show off your skills to your management, but financially, the night shift is more promising. It’s not enough there, there are some pros and cons you may get. So, let’s dive into our post to find the information about it!
What Are the Pros and Cons of Day Shift?
There are some pros and cons delivered by the day shift, here are they:
1) Quality of sleeping
When you’re working on day shift, you do not worry about the neighbor’s dog or a relentless lawnmower, since there is pretty much-promised silence sleeping at night. In this case, humans are programmed to work the day shift schedule.
Well, that is what your body clock and sleep hormones actually prefer to get the recommended 7 – 9 hours of sleep. Of course, there is nothing for your body to ‘get used to’ in comparison to a night shift employee.
When working the night shift, it will really confuse your body clock. It totally puts you at a higher risk for some pretty dire health conditions. It does not wonder if all shift workers have a high risk of Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD). However, when you are working on night shift, it’s a little worse, due to the higher opportunities of sleep deprivation.
2) Get more access to support staff during the day
It does not wonder if there are more people around during the day in most shift work environments from specialists, management, cleaners and admin staff. It’s very wonderful for some workers who are working the day shift, since your questions can be answered immediately.
Aside from getting more access to support staff, the cafeteria will also be open, so you will have several options you can ever want. You will not waste your time standing in front of the vending machine selecting something you do not really like, even though you’re left with little option.
3) Able to show off your skills
If you are working on day shift, you will get more chances to grow and also promote yourself on day shift, since your management will quickly see and receive feedback on your performance.
Aside from that, you will never miss a change of policy, an update in the system or alterations in routine when you are working on a day shift. However, regular staff meetings or any announcements will alway exclusively occur during the first shift. So, you will need to cut your sleep short to attend a meeting or miss it altogether.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Night Shift?
There are some pros and cons delivered by the night shift, here are they:
1) Get more money
It commonly happens when you are working on day shift, you will get more money. When working nights on the weekend and public holidays, doing the same job will get higher pay and get an extra boost.
Many people may enjoy working the night shift to save money, especially when they are working third shift over the weekends.
2) Sleep in
When working on night shift, you may forget about the 5 am wake up calls. The night shift is actually perfect for those who hate waking up early and love going to bed late. If we talk about sleep, the night shift will give yourself the great chance to sleep by spoiling yourself with soft sheets and a mattress.
3) Less people = less drama
There will be fewer people around for drama to be made. You will not find admin staff, management and also family around to create a fuss. Of course, night shifts typically have a much smaller staff volume.
Moreover, the night shift will give you time to think and finish your job faster and more effectively, since you aren’t stopped by 100’s of interruptions. It does not wonder if you can finally do your job in peace without the riff-raff.
4) Easier to care your kids in some situations
When working on the night shift, you will find juggling school pick-ups and drop-offs, as well as having an easier chance to attend events with your kids. Well, the night shift is not always bad, but it will also be perfect for some people who have married and have children.
5) Escape the traffic
When you commute to or from your office, you really escape your time from traffic. Aside from that, you will not get parking limits, as you can park your vehicles everywhere in the parking lot for free.
Which Is Better: Day Shift or Night Shift?
Whether you are working on day shift or night shift, there are obvious pros and cons both. So, if you have the flexibility to choose your shift, make sure to pick what works best for your current situation. The debate on which shift is better or busier will live on for centuries. So, make sure to save yourself some stress and thank the shift before for all their hard work and move on.
Tips to Work on Night Shift
To survive working on night shift, there are several tips and tricks you can do, including:
- Make sure to eat well and more often exercise
It would be better for you to eat 5-6 small meals per day several hours apart. Exercise and diet will really help you to prevent diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
- Get enough sleep
Aside from eating well, you also need to get enough sleep. Make sure to go to sleep after working at night. If necessary, you can make your bedroom darked by using blackout shades.
- Increase the sense of your humor
If you work the night shift, you will be exposed to various human behaviors. Of course, most of the behaviour commonly comes from the offenders and some comes from other offices. Make sure to be able to laugh at yourself and situations as you will save your humanity when appropriate.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
