I met a guy yesterday that said, "I did some research online and I found a study that said 12-hour shifts are more dangerous than 8-hour shifts."
There is a lot of information about safety and productivity on 12's verses 8's. Here are a couple of examples of complete/incomplete information:
Incomplete: People sleep more on an 8-hour shift than on a 12-hour shift.
Complete: People on an 8-hour shift sleep about 10 minutes more per night than those on 12-hour shifts. However, both people sleep about an hour more on their days off. Since 12's have more days off, a person working 12's actually averages more sleep per week than someone on 12's (see Occupational Health and Safety magazine online, March 2008)
Incomplete: "I saw a study that showed more accidents occur after 8 hours of work."
Complete: That study showed that people working overtime after putting in a full week have more accidents during that overtime period. The truth is that 8-hour shifts that cover 24/7, have to rotate (a mathematical fact). There is overwhelming evidence showing poor safety and poor health on rotating schedules. There are plenty of studies showing 12's are at least as productive and safe as 8's, even if the 8's were fixed (and therefore not part of a 24/7 coverage).
Incomplete: "I know a guy that was on a 12-hour schedule. He died of a heart attack. Therefore 12's are bad."
Equally Incomplete: "I know a guy that died in his sleep, so sleeping must be bad."
If you have perfect information, then you know 12's are a safe and productive alternative to 8's. Just as importantly, people that go to a 12-hour schedule have 3 times the schedule satisfaction as those that go to an 8-hour schedule.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Distribution of Information
I am at a loss as to how to distribute the information contained in my last few posts on this blog.
People need to know what it out there.
Misinformation is keeping California in the dark.
Free up our roads. Bring in more business. Improve the quality of life for all Californians.
To do this, we simply need to eliminate the need to pay overtime after 8 hours in a day. Every other state has done it; and with great success.
If you read this and agree, please pass it along.
People need to know what it out there.
Misinformation is keeping California in the dark.
Free up our roads. Bring in more business. Improve the quality of life for all Californians.
To do this, we simply need to eliminate the need to pay overtime after 8 hours in a day. Every other state has done it; and with great success.
If you read this and agree, please pass it along.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Misleading California Labor Law
There are those that will tell you that there is a provision in the labor law that allows for alternative work weeks.
In fact, there is. However, it only allows for 10-hour shifts and only under certain conditions.
Those that wrote this law divulge their non-understanding of the way people work and the way jobs need to be covered. Simply being in position to legislate, does not make one an expert. It's like taking a Drug Lord that knows how to make crystal Meth and expecting him to be able to make anti-inflammatory drugs.
The law was clearly written with no input from the workforce or the employers.
Here is an example: If you want to work 4 hours of overtime, you must provide an additional lunch break. The break need not be paid. If you ask employees, they will tell you to skip the unpaid 30-minutes since it will allow them to get home earlier. If you ask companies, they will say, "We are already paying time and one-half for those additional 4 hours, we should be able to get 4 hours of work, not 3.5 hours."
Both employees and employers would rather have a 10-15 minute paid break than a 30 minute lunch break.
In fact, there is. However, it only allows for 10-hour shifts and only under certain conditions.
Those that wrote this law divulge their non-understanding of the way people work and the way jobs need to be covered. Simply being in position to legislate, does not make one an expert. It's like taking a Drug Lord that knows how to make crystal Meth and expecting him to be able to make anti-inflammatory drugs.
The law was clearly written with no input from the workforce or the employers.
Here is an example: If you want to work 4 hours of overtime, you must provide an additional lunch break. The break need not be paid. If you ask employees, they will tell you to skip the unpaid 30-minutes since it will allow them to get home earlier. If you ask companies, they will say, "We are already paying time and one-half for those additional 4 hours, we should be able to get 4 hours of work, not 3.5 hours."
Both employees and employers would rather have a 10-15 minute paid break than a 30 minute lunch break.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
California Overtime Law
California requires employers to pay overtime after 8 hours in a day.
The result is that no company works compressed workweeks. A compressed workweek is one where you work longer shifts to get more days off.
Compare the following:
Under California's law: A 3-week schedule averaging 40 hours a week
The result is that no company works compressed workweeks. A compressed workweek is one where you work longer shifts to get more days off.
Compare the following:
Under California's law: A 3-week schedule averaging 40 hours a week
WEEK M TU W TH F S S
1 8 8 8 8 8 off off
2 8 8 8 8 8 off off
3 8 8 8 8 8 off off
120 hours and 15 shifts in 3 weeks.
Under laws outside of California: A 3-week schedule averaging 40 hours a week
WEEK M TU W TH F S S
1 12 12 12 off off off off
2 off off 12 12 12 off off
3 12 12 off 12 12 off off
120 hours and 10 shifts in 3 weeks.
So, if you get rid of overtime after 8 hours in a day, you open the door for a schedule like the one above; a schedule that gives you 85 more days off every year.
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