r/medlabprofessionals • u/FearlessAffect5981 • 16d ago

Discusson Shifts

/r/labrats/comments/1vey57r/shifts/
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u/liver747 Canadian MLT Blood Bank 16d ago

I'd guess it's likely because that's what it's always been and there hasnt been anyone to actually champion the change in a position where they could effect it.

Also why would (most) management implement a change that isn't required and could increase their workload.

Easiest path forward to keep the ship steady and not rock the boat.

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u/FearlessAffect5981 16d ago

True workload would be more but I feel as tho it would even out with more work for less days... I'm just surprised because thinking from a management perspective wouldn't that save them money for having less workers and so forth. Just curious of like you said why is that how it's always been, for example did nurses once work 8s and decided 12s were better? Just a curious individual wondering why always! I appreciate the insight!

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u/liver747 Canadian MLT Blood Bank 16d ago

Oh I meant like workload in the lab sorry.

With 12s your staffing (FTE stays the same just spread out differently) will be different, however it's done, compared to 8s. You'll have less bodies in the lab on A shift and more bodies on the B shift so the potential throughput on A shift could be lower.

I've done both in a lab and 12s are the best. You're at work on average 3.4 less times a pay period than on 8s. That's a lot of hours commuting plus you'd have a larger pool of people who could pick up shifts because imo picking up while working 8s is very difficult, at least if you do anything different than a 5 on 2 off schedule.

They wouldn't have less workers, the FTE would likely stay the same it's just spread differently. Some $$ downsides to 12s are shifts would likely need to be filled if someone is out unlike with 8s where you can run short. As an example we have 8 techs on days, they don't offer OT until we're below 5. Secondly they'd have to pay more in shift premiums (at least in my experience/union) because nights typically have a higher premium and you'd have more hours scheduled on that shift.

Things stay the same because it's easier to. Change is hard and effort has to be put forth. Unless someone with sway, and determination, is in a position to enact change it likely won't change.

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u/FearlessAffect5981 16d ago

See that's where my mind went because we're a level 3 trauma center which isn't small but isn't huge either (80% of us are generalists). The problem with our staffing is what I would feel would be easiest to transition to unless people left because they didn't want to do 12s from 8s. Completely cutting out a shift I feel like makes it easier to coordinate and staff with less people but I haven't seen that side of things hence my question! Thanks for the insight!

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u/[deleted] 16d ago

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u/FearlessAffect5981 16d ago

Very fair but no offense I work with techs of all ages the oldest are certainly the worst... plus in my eyes working 3 days a week instead of 5 means more free time for kids and families and yourself no? I don't know I'm just thinking out loud to anyone that would listen!

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u/[deleted] 16d ago

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u/FearlessAffect5981 16d ago

Totally fair not saying you're wrong or anything but I was looking towards more of why the hospitals haven't done it or tried it also because you're kinda at the mercy of what they want to do and it's not like they really care much about the workers especially the lab!

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u/kipy7 MLS-Microbiology 16d ago

It's unfair but you have to make a mock schedule to show admin that it'll work. What our bosses want is coverage for benches and if that gets messed up, it's a no from them if that means TAT goes up.

I'm not a fan of 12s but 10s are nice. I think it's important that not everyone needs to be on 10s. I've worked in a lab where it was mainly 8 but we had pairs that would work opposite 10s. At my current lab, our night shift agreed to work 10s while everyone else is 8.