h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

. . . . It's rotating three on three off twelve hour shifts that are the real killer.

Just as you get into the swing of being up all night its three days rest and all the hassles of getting used to sleeping at night again. The lo and behold back onto nights after nine night shift after nine nights of sleep.

I've worked nights on a number of occaisions. For myself I find it is important to eat during the night shift - I know of others who take the opposite view.

The great thing about working nights in a factory is that you get more work done than you would during the day. This is due to a lack of managerial disturbance or pointless meetings.

I did work a 5 day continental for several years;
Week 1 Mon-Weds 6 till 2 (mornings), Thurs & Fri 10 till 6 (nights). Week 2 Mon-Weds 2 till 10 (afternoons), Thur & Fri 6 till 2 (mornings.
Week 3 Mon-Weds 10 till 6 (nights), Thurs & Fri 2 till 10 (afternons).

The change of shifts from Weds to Thurs in weeks 2 & 3 is known as the double back. You have 8 hours in which to get home, sleep, eat, wash and be back in work! Sounds tough but you get used to it.