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

[Rocco]

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?

 

[TBRS1]

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.

 

[Judge]

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.

 

[stevens]

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 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.

 

[Outdated]

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 and 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.

 

[Aspychata]

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........

 

[daniegirl6224]

Personally I would turn it down. The risk for burnout would not be worth it to me.

 

[Trophonius]

Only if I really like the job.

 

[Rodafina]

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.

 

[Tom]

If I felt physically able I would do it.