#NightShift #JobInterview #Insomnia #WorkLifeBalance
Hey everyone! 🌟 So, I have a dilemma and I could really use some advice. I recently applied for a job at a grocery store in the produce department, and I was asked if I can work nights and weekends during the interview process. Here’s the thing, I have insomnia and OCD which means I have a strict nighttime routine to prevent any episodes. The store closes at 10 pm, which is way past my bedtime routine.
I really need this job, but I’m not sure if I should be honest about not being able to work night shifts. Would it be better to come up with an excuse or should I be upfront about my condition?
What do you think? Is it okay to tell a recruiter you can’t work night shifts? 🤔
Possible solution:
– Be honest about your condition and suggest alternative shifts that you can work.
– Offer to work any other day of the week except for nights.
– Mention any skills or experience that make you a valuable candidate, despite not being able to work nights.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! Let’s help each other out. 💬 #JobAdvice #HonestyIsTheBestPolicy
Yes they are working to find what you want not the other way around. Good luck 👍
Tell them no nights. Yes, it may be a deal breaker. Be honest from day one.
This job is not suitable for you, so save everyone some time and be honest. They are telling you that they require night and weekend availability, and if you can’t offer that they won’t hire you. Just because the store closes at 10 doesn’t mean everyone drops everything and walks out the door. There is still work being done after close, and probably overnight stocking and cleaning as well.
Edit to add – if you are working with a recruiter absolutely tell them what you can and can’t do so they don’t waste time sending jobs that don’t fit with your skills and availability. The recruiter is there to match qualified applicants to positions, key word being match, that they are a good fit for eachother.
The best is when BOTH you and the potential employer are honest and forthcoming with what each is looking for.
You need to be up front and honest about not wanting to work nights. They need to be upfront about the schedule they need filled.
It’s much better to know now that it won’t work, rather than either party waste their time. It would be wrong for you to pursue this opportunity knowing you are not interested in working nights.
Be honest, I remember taking my first job and they said I’d eventually have to be on the Night rotation. I just said “sure!” Not knowing what that even meant. I was still in highschool, I also struggle with insomnia. After my first nightshift I was like absolutely tf not, but I should have been firm in the interview. When I went to my manager to express that I didn’t think I could keep doing night shift she was pissed and looking back now I see both sides
If the job requires working nights and you’re unable to work nights then the reason isn’t relevant.
you don’t have to offer an explanation, just ‘no’ is enough.
So here’s my thing, in my line of work, the organization is making it clear what is expected and required. They made it clear that nights and weekends are required, not a possibility. So as a supervisor, if I made it clear that I will require employees to work nights and weekends, and you still move forward and then tell me you can’t after the interview, you essentially wasted my time.
It’s about wording on a job description, or in this case the questions. Now if that wasn’t stated on the actual job description, then in this particular case I would say yes still go through with it but then when it comes to that question, be very specific and state that due to a documented medical condition, you are unable to work past 8pm. You have complete availability from opening to 8pm but cannot work past 8pm. The reason why is because they failed to state that on the description, they can’t expect candidates to know that before applying.
I worked at a grocery store before and had only day shifts. I wasn’t available after 6pm and I was willing to work every weekend at the time. This caused a rift with my co-workers who were getting scheduled like a few 1-10pm shifts and I had zero.
In context I had a lot of anxiety (doctor’s note) and after 6pm you were scheduled alone usually. I had done night shifts previously but I was unable to do them because my anxiety meds made me sleepy.
I told everyone this, but my experience in retail is you need to be completely flexible shift wise or risk getting hours cut or loss of a job. I was willing to work reduced hours for this, but my co-workers would still complain about me to management.
My advice is to be honest and don’t apply for work with shifts you can’t do. Also I would seek clarification on what they call night shifts. Places here refer to night shifts as the evening shift and overnights if it’s overnight. So I dunno if that’s something that places regularly do or not.
Tell them very clearly: weekdays and weekends are fine until 7pm. Keep it simple. Do not try to sound more flexible by saying “7 or 8”.
Be equally clear that nights are an absolute no. You shouldn’t have to provide a reason, but if it feels too awkward to say nothing, tell them you have a moderate sleep disorder and require a consistent early bedtime. Don’t use the word “insomnia,” because everyone who has occasional nights of poor sleep will trivialize this.
From there it’s up to them whether they can work with your schedule. If they’re currently stacked with workers who like late shifts and hate weekends, you’d be helping them fill a staffing gap. If they specifically need someone for nights and can’t budge, thank them graciously for their time.
Ask your doctor for documentation you can provide HR if you’re hired. It won’t disclose your exact diagnosis, it’ll just outline your specific limits. You need this added to your employee record, so no one can claim later that they didn’t know.