I’ve worked 2nd (afternoon), swing (evening), and 3rd (overnight) shifts for the majority of my life. I recently moved into a training position where I’m Monday through Friday, 8am to ~5:30pm (I get OT while I’m cleaning up and writing reports).
As much as the 2nd/swing/3rd shifts screw with your life in other ways, the difficulty in scheduling any kind of life services outside of working hours is maddening. Doctor’s appointment? Nope. DMV? Maybe Saturday, if you’re lucky. Chaperone your kids field trip? Hahahhah no.
I don’t want to burn sick time for a doctor’s appointment (I need to save those for when my kid is actually sick), and I sure as hell don’t want to use up a “vacation” day for it. How tf are you supposed to get anything done?


I have to beg to be allowed to come in late, just to treat serious health issues. I guess the people with an actual life, are the ones that are born wealthy, or studied to do an easy-going job.
I don’t think you are meant to escape with enough hard work, it is punishment for not being a good student in childhood: You get worked like a slave, your entire life, dreams, passions, dignity, all that you are, is pushed aside, as your health is slowly chipped down, until you drop dead in your 40’s-50’s, no retirement for you.
Then you get some bs eulogy about how you were a good, hardworking man. One of the few times ever that people will even pretend to appreciate you.
Yup, this is me. Both my parents were software engineers, I grew up top 1% wealth in Canada. Went to a decent university (covered by my parents), job hopped a few times, salary kept going up and the work kept going easier.
I still grinded my ass off along the way (first job took me 700 applications, I spent nights and weekends studying for my next interviews instead of going out with friends), but I still wouldn’t be here without nepotism and family wealth that they used to support me.
While there is some guilt that other people who worked harder couldn’t get to where I am, that doesn’t mean I’m going to waste the opportunity.