Text me what you thought of the show 😊

If you've ever woken up and had absolutely no idea what day it is, eaten breakfast at three in the afternoon or tried explaining to someone why being home during the day doesn't mean you're available, this episode is for you!

After more than 40 years working shifts with Victoria Police, I've experienced just about every strange, funny and frustrating situation that comes with living outside the traditional nine-to-five world.

And I reckon there are some things that only another shift worker will ever truly understand.

In this episode of A Healthy Shift, we're taking a break from the usual conversations about sleep deprivation, fatigue and the health challenges of night shift work.

Instead, we're having a bit of fun with the lighter side of shift work life.

From the absolute joy of having a Tuesday off while everyone else is working, to the challenge of organising a social gathering around six different rosters, shift workers really do live in a world of their own.

And then there's the classic question after you've finished a night shift.

"You're home today, aren't you? Can you just help me with something?"

If you know, you know!

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why shift workers sometimes have no idea what day it is.
• The beauty of having weekdays off while everyone else is working.
• Why being home after night shift doesn't mean you're available.
• Eating meals at times that confuse everyone else.
• The logistical nightmare of organising a social life around rotating rosters.
• Working weekends, Christmas and public holidays.
• The friendships, humour and shared experiences that make shift work memorable.

Whether you're a nurse, police officer, paramedic, firefighter, FIFO worker or anyone working night shifts, afternoon shifts or rotating rosters, there's a good chance you'll recognise yourself in this episode.

Shift work certainly comes with challenges, but it also brings some unique experiences, great friendships and plenty of stories worth laughing about.

After four decades of shift work, there are things I don't miss. But there are also plenty of things I look back on with a smile.

And sometimes, it's good to remind ourselves that shift work isn't all doom and gloom.

Now, I want to hear from YOU!

What's something funny, strange or completely ridiculous about shift work that only another shift worker would understand?

Follow the link "Text me what you thought of the show" and let us know

I reckon there are some absolute crackers out there!

And if this episode made you smile, share it with a workmate. Especially the one who never knows what day it is!

Support the show

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Roger Sutherland is Australia's Night Shift & Sleep Specialist and the founder of A Healthy Shift.

After more than 40 years working rotating shifts with Victoria Police, Roger now helps organisations reduce fatigue risk, improve staff wellbeing and build healthier, safer and higher-performing 24/7 workplaces through evidence-based education, circadian biology and the Shift Work Champions™ Framework.

Shift Work Champions™: https://join.ahealthyshift.com/shift-work-capability

Website: https://ahealthyshift.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-sutherland

Instagram: @a_healthy_shift

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Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

_______________________

Text me what you thought of the show 😊

Shift work gets plenty of negative attention. Poor sleep, fatigue, disrupted routines and the challenges of working outside normal hours. But after more than 40 years working shifts with Victoria Police, there were things about shift work that I absolutely LOVED.

And I reckon we don't talk about them nearly enough.

In this episode of A Healthy Shift, I'm changing the conversation and sharing the positive side of shift work that often gets overlooked.

One of the biggest benefits for me was being able to do ME before my job got whatever was left.

Working afternoon shifts meant I could get to the gym, go swimming, enjoy an early walk in the daylight, organise appointments, prepare meals and get things done before heading to work.

I'd already looked after myself, and that made me happier to turn up to work.

I also loved the freedom of having weekdays off, avoiding the weekend crowds and not having to squeeze my entire life into Saturday and Sunday.

Of course, shift work comes with genuine health challenges. We can't ignore the effects of disrupted sleep, circadian rhythms and fatigue. But recognising those risks doesn't mean we can't appreciate the benefits.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why afternoon shifts were one of my favourites.
• The freedom of getting things done before starting work.
• The benefits of having weekdays off.
• Why putting yourself first can change how you feel about going to work.
• How to make the most of your roster through sleep, daylight, movement and nutrient timing.
• Why we need more positive conversations about shift work.

Whether you're a nurse, police officer, paramedic, emergency services worker, FIFO worker or anyone working a rotating roster, permanent nights or afternoon shifts, this episode offers a different perspective on shift work life.

After four decades of working shifts, I can tell you it wasn't all doom and gloom. There were some bloody good benefits too!

Now I'd love to hear from you.

What's YOUR favourite shift to work? Days, afternoons or nights? And why?

Hit the link "Text me what you thought of the show" and let me know

And if you know another shift worker who genuinely loves their roster, share this episode with them.

Support the show

----------------------------

Roger Sutherland is Australia's Night Shift & Sleep Specialist and the founder of A Healthy Shift.

After more than 40 years working rotating shifts with Victoria Police, Roger now helps organisations reduce fatigue risk, improve staff wellbeing and build healthier, safer and higher-performing 24/7 workplaces through evidence-based education, circadian biology and the Shift Work Champions™ Framework.

Shift Work Champions™: https://join.ahealthyshift.com/shift-work-capability

Website: https://ahealthyshift.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-sutherland

Instagram: @a_healthy_shift

___________________

Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

_______________________

Text me what you thought of the show 😊

Across the last few episodes, I’ve talked about what I believe is missing in the way many organisations support their shift-working workforce. In this episode, I want to turn that conversation around and look at what we could actually build instead.

What does a shift-work-capable organisation look like?

For me, it isn’t an organisation where nobody gets tired, nobody struggles with nights, and we somehow remove the biological challenges of working around the clock. That isn’t realistic.

It’s an organisation where people are given more than a roster. They’re given the education to understand what that roster is asking of their biology and practical strategies to help them manage it.

In this episode, I explore what that could look like from the moment someone joins a 24/7 workforce: shift-work-specific education, advice that reflects the reality of their actual roster, leaders who understand the demands their people are facing, and credible knowledge that remains available where the shift work actually happens — including at 3 am.

I also discuss the role of developing people from within the workforce who understand the roster, workplace and culture because they live it themselves. Not as clinicians or workplace health experts, but as educated Shift Work Champions™ who can help keep good conversations and credible information alive while understanding the boundaries of their role.

Importantly, building capability isn’t something an organisation does once and considers finished. It means continuing to listen to the workforce, learn what’s working, identify what isn’t, and review, refine and expand the approach over time.

My vision is simple: I want us to reach a point where handing someone their first shift-work roster without also teaching them how to manage it seems completely outdated.

We may never remove the challenges of shift work, but I believe we can become much better at preparing and supporting the people we ask to do it.

Learn more about Shift Work Champions™ and download the updated Executive Brief using the link below.

Support the show

----------------------------

Roger Sutherland is Australia's Night Shift & Sleep Specialist and the founder of A Healthy Shift.

After more than 40 years working rotating shifts with Victoria Police, Roger now helps organisations reduce fatigue risk, improve staff wellbeing and build healthier, safer and higher-performing 24/7 workplaces through evidence-based education, circadian biology and the Shift Work Champions™ Framework.

Shift Work Champions™: https://join.ahealthyshift.com/shift-work-capability

Website: https://ahealthyshift.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-sutherland

Instagram: @a_healthy_shift

___________________

Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

_______________________