Working shifts: honest about the pros and cons

For many technical roles in production and maintenance, shift work is the norm. The premiums make it financially attractive, but the rhythm also asks something of your body and family life. Make the honest trade-off beforehand, not after three months.

Financially the difference is real. Shift premiums differ per company and per system, so always ask concretely: which percentage for early, late and night shift, and what does that mean net per month? Never compare jobs on gross base salary alone; a job with lower gross and full-continuous premiums can end up considerably higher net.

Know the roster in detail. A two-shift system with fixed weekends is a completely different life from full-continuous with rotating nights and weekend shifts. Ask for the actual rotation schedule, how far ahead it's fixed and how often it's deviated from. That last one says a lot about the organisation.

Also think ahead. Night work gets heavier with the years, and not every company has day roles to grow into. Ask in the interview what the options are to move to day service or a technical expert role over time. An employer with a real answer to that thinks beyond today's vacancy.