Calling All Night Owls and Weekend Warriors!

There are many benefits with Maxim's evening and weekend shifts. According to Statistics Canada, approximately 30% of the work force between the ages of 18 and 54 work some form of "shifts." In our industry, shift work is a reality, especially at the beginning of your career.

For some staff, working a standard 9 to 5 shift, five days a week, isn't an ideal scenario. If this sounds like you, below are some questions about shift work that will help determine whether other shifts are right for you.

Q. Are you a night owl?

Studies show that societal, work, and family obligations may require people to work shifts different from their natural "body clock." Over 30% of the population would prefer to go to bed after 12:30 am and rise after 8 am. This means 30% of the Canadian population is most suited to working an afternoon shift. Studies also suggest that the "body clock" of teenagers and young adults is geared to have them stay up later and sleep in later than "older" workers.

Q. Are you moonlighting from another profession?

Although we don't recommend technicians work for two shops at the same time, a number of our weekend and evening staff have their own small (non-mechanical) businesses such as hot tub rentals or used auto sales.

Q. Do you need to accommodate family care responsibilities?

Different shifts may reduce the pressures of family responsibilities. If you work the evening shift, you and your children could take the time to get ready for school or day care each morning while still enjoying "family time" on weekends. Or you could work 10-hour shifts, four days a week to ease childcare costs and allow you more time at home.

Q. Would you like to earn 5% to 8% more?

Shift premiums of $1/hour can increase your earning potential substantially. If you invest this additional $2000/year in RRSPs starting at the age of 20, based on an interest rate of 6%, you could retire at age 65 with $480,197 from your overall investment of $90,000.

Q. Can you sleep through most types of noise?

The ability to sleep "anywhere at any time" is very beneficial to evening shift workers. Aids are available to help including room-darkening blinds, ear plugs, white noise machines, and self help books.

Q. Do you avoid crowds or hate waiting in long line-ups?

Working afternoon or night shifts not only allows you to free up your days to run essential errands - like grocery shopping - but even allows for those non-essential luxuries like a game of golf, all without the line-ups you experience later in the day. Working shifts may also cut down your commuting time by avoiding rush hour periods. Shifts at Maxim tend to be set and there is little need to adjust to a rotating shift.