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Seeking your input. Would you work 12 hours per day, 7 days a week, for 45 days straight at high pay?

Rocco

Rocco

I hope something good happens to you today
V.I.P Member
I need alternative views on a situation. I was offered a work project today, to work 45 days in a row at a nuclear power plant. 12 hours of work per day. It sounds beyond exhausting, and from previous experience such a commitment leads to serious burnout.
I could pay my $outhern California rent for 12 months with the money it would bring.
I know I can accomplish the 45 days working 12 hours per day, but I also know the subsequent burnout would be brutal and need at least 3 months of recovery to get back to my version of normal.

I am seriously considering doing it, it is just difficult to decide if my income multiplied by 4 is worth the stress, temporary relocation, and dramatic lifestyle change.

What would you do?
 
I worked like that for years & years & years (17, to be exact).

It's the only thing in my life that I actually regret.

On the other hand, my family and I would have been homeless if I hadn't, so there wasn't any choice.

If it were me, and a choice were possible, I wouldn't do it.
 
That's a question that only you can answer. Mostly because it must be you to determine if you're truly physically up to it.
 
Rocco said:
I need alternative views on a situation. I was offered a work project today, to work 45 days in a row at a nuclear power plant. 12 hours of work per day. It sounds beyond exhausting, and from previous experience such a commitment leads to serious burnout.
I could pay my $outhern California rent for 12 months with the money it would bring.
I know I can accomplish the 45 days working 12 hours per day, but I also know the subsequent burnout would be brutal and need at least 3 months of recovery to get back to my version of normal.

I am seriously considering doing it, it is just difficult to decide if my income multiplied by 4 is worth the stress, temporary relocation, and dramatic lifestyle change.

What would you do?
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I worked in the power industry for many years. This flowed from the happy accident of getting into the industry in a union job. I did these kinds of schedules on a regular basis. The hourly pay was high, and I received double time for every overtime hour, plus there were many other rules and benefits. The quick answer to your question is yes, I would do that if the pay was exceptional.

It's also important that you be very good at the work, and that you are fundamentally interested in what you do. That makes it easier. Despite a lifetime of social problems, I was happy that I was given the opportunity to be employed like that. Before I found that job, in that industry, I wasn't sure I was going to be a success at anything. As it turned out, it was the perfect starting point for me.

There's more to the story, as I returned to school quite a few years later, but after school was done I continued to work in the industry. It's the only way I was able to retire and be able to take care of myself.

One other thing you mentioned: Burnout and recovery time. It's wise to make sure you take some time to readjust after those schedules.
 
For much of my working life I worked 60 to 70 hours a week, those overtime rates really bump your pay up, but I still had weekends off.

There's quite a few jobs in the mining industry here where people work the sorts of shifts you're talking about, but usually only for 2 weeks at a time. Fly in fly out workers in mines in remote areas. They'll do 12 hours a day 7 days a week for 2 weeks, then fly home and have 1 week off. Not many people stick with that for longer than it takes them to pay for a house, it's not an easy life style.
 
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Good luck with your decision. It's not too bad, it's just being able to bounce back afterwards. Is job security/pay beat out trying to work a 40 hour week at less pay for indefinitely? Isn't that 84 hours a week? Maybe on second thought........
 
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Is there any risk of injury like repetitive strain or back injuries? That could turn a temporary job into a more permanent situation.

20 years ago, I would have considered such an idea, but now, at 44 I think the money wouldn’t be worth the toll a schedule like that would take.

On the other hand, if the work is fascinating and offers a once in a lifetime sort of opportunity that you actually think you’ll enjoy despite the punishing schedule, maybe it would be worth it.
 
Rocco said:
I need alternative views on a situation. I was offered a work project today, to work 45 days in a row at a nuclear power plant. 12 hours of work per day. It sounds beyond exhausting, and from previous experience such a commitment leads to serious burnout.
I could pay my $outhern California rent for 12 months with the money it would bring.
I know I can accomplish the 45 days working 12 hours per day, but I also know the subsequent burnout would be brutal and need at least 3 months of recovery to get back to my version of normal.

I am seriously considering doing it, it is just difficult to decide if my income multiplied by 4 is worth the stress, temporary relocation, and dramatic lifestyle change.

What would you do?
Click to expand...
Been there, done that when my wife had an injury and couldn't work. In my case, I did what I had to do. As long as you are getting enough sleep and getting good food in you (vs. junk food), I think you can do it. It's only 1 1/2 months and once you get yourself in a rhythm and schedule, you settle into it. The worst part really is like day 3-4 where you're "dragging butt" but after that it's just another day.
 
Roisin said:
If you do it and start to burnout after 21 days and leave due to illness what are the consequences for you?
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I could quit any time.
It is in my regular line of work, electrical, so it’s the same type of work I’ve been doing most of my life.

I would have to relocate 2.5 hours away, find someone to watch my dog and aquarium, pay rent in two places, and also quit my current job to take this one. Quitting my job now would permanently “burn the bridge” with my employer.
 
Rocco said:
... pay rent in two places,....
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That's a lot different and greatly decreases the desirability of the job. The fifo workers I've been talking about all have their accommodation and meals and even a small beer ration supplied as part of the deal. That's what makes it so great for younger people, they can stay living at their parent's house or similar while they're off work and not have to pay any bills while they're working. They can save money really quickly.
 
I did that many times in the army for low pay. :)

I doubt if I would consider it now unless the pay was truly eye popping because I have enough money to live comfortably. I think working too much would decrease my quality of life more than extra money would increase it. Everyone will have their own numbers to plug into the formula to get an answer for their specific situation though.
 
I think I wouldn't be able to do that, I'd get sick in some way. I worked 60 hours a week and up to 12 hours a day, but I think I couldn't do 80 a week. I need some time to shut down and do nothing. You know your body best.
 
Rocco said:
I could quit any time.
It is in my regular line of work, electrical, so it’s the same type of work I’ve been doing most of my life.

I would have to relocate 2.5 hours away, find someone to watch my dog and aquarium, pay rent in two places, and also quit my current job to take this one. Quitting my job now would permanently “burn the bridge” with my employer.
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How much do you like this employer/employment situation? If it is a good one, me personally, I'd stay put.

But if you're skilled and can go to work anywhere, then go for it. Cancel the apartment where you currently are. Or sublet it.

If I were in my 20s or 30s I would do a job like this.
 
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