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Whether it’s the increased income, better work-life balance or opportunity to grow your career faster, the benefits of working third shift are abundant.
It may not seem like the most desirable shift to work on the surface, but when you take a closer look, you’ll notice working nights may be more appealing than you thought.
What is third shift?
Working third shift means you work during the overnight hours. A typical shift begins around 11 p.m. and ends around 7 a.m.
However, these hours can fluctuate based on your role and the company you work for.
Top benefits of working third shift
1. Earn a higher salary.
One of the top reasons to work third shift is that it allows you to earn more short- and long-term income. Many companies offer shift differential, or more pay, for working hours outside of first shift.
At Schneider, for example, third shift associates earn:
- $1.25 per hour more during the week compared to first shift associates.
- $2.00 per hour more on weekends compared to first shift associates.
On top of this, there is typically less competition to grow your career and climb the ladder on third shift. This means you may have more opportunity to increase your income faster than you would on first shift.
2. Grow your career quicker.
Development is extremely important in any role you pursue, especially if you are interested in advancing into a leadership or management position.
Since fewer people usually work third shift compared to first, you can often:
- Double up on your responsibilities.
- Cross-train your skills.
- Explore different areas of the business.
- Gain exposure to various projects.
Ultimately, working third shift can make you a more well-rounded employee. These experiences and what you gain from them can make you a more attractive candidate for future job opportunities.
3. Have more flexibility.
Working third shift can be more convenient for your personal schedule. It allows you to:
- Run important errands during the day.
- Schedule doctor appointments in the afternoon.
- Meet up with friends for lunch
- Pick your kids up from school.
Working night shift allows you to do all these things with ease and prevents you from having to take vacation to cover that time away from the office.
4. Save more money.
There are some cost-saving benefits to working third shift that you probably didn’t consider.
Since you’re working at night, most restaurants are closed during your break. This will essentially force you to pack your own food to eat instead of going out, which can help you control how much you spend on each meal.
There could also be some extra savings for workers who are parents, on things like daycare. If parents work opposite shifts – one on first and another on third – they can possibly cut costs on childcare or after-school care.
5. Attend school during the day.
A benefit of working night shift is that it can offer you the ability to attend classes during the day and bring in an income at night.
Going to school during the day and working at night allows you to:
- Gain multi-tasking skills.
- Sharpen your time management abilities.
- Strengthen your ability to problem solve.
- Learn new ways to adapt to different situations.
These are four great qualities you can add to your resume and talk about in future job interviews.
6. Increase your productivity.
People on third shift often enjoy the quieter hours in the office, which allows them to focus on their tasks with fewer distractions. Third shift associates typically spend less time in meetings, which allows them to focus more on their tasks at hand.
7. Gain professional merit.
As you sharpen the skills you need for your role, you’ll also gain a lot of knowledge in your specialty. This means others may view you as a subject matter expert in a certain area.
Managers may turn to you to help find solutions and increase production. This can help distinguish you from your peers and could lead to leadership roles down the line.
8. Benefit from a faster commute.
If you currently drive to work for a first shift job, you know how frustrating rush hour traffic can be. At night, the roads are less busy, which means a shorter commute time.
9. Enjoy night shift comradery.
Those who work third shift develop a special comradery with the people they work with.
Since there are fewer people around, you’re able to bond with coworkers over third-shift tasks and everyday life. This shared togetherness can create a more enjoyable work environment.
