Some people who work at night, in hotels and restaurants, for example, wouldn’t change their place for anything in the world! Working shifts when everyone is asleep is certainly tiring, but still has several benefits…
For more than three years, Geneviève has worked in a Montreal nightclub. From 9pm to 4 in the morning, she was a barmaid, sometimes full time and others part-time. It was a totally offbeat rhythm, which she was nonetheless very happy with. “I always was a night owl – I have never been a morning person! So for me, having a night job suited me very well”, laughs Geneviève. Although working at night has disadvantages, there are certain advantages to compensate. What are they?
Working at night in the hospitality industry also means…
having more time during the day
“Working at night, I was flexible during the day, I had time to do my things, like going shopping when there were fewer people,” says Geneviève. Even though she always slept at least 6 to 8 hours after her shift, starting at 9pm let her enjoy times when everyone else was at work.
spending less time in traffic
With a schedule completely reversed from most people, Geneviève never got caught in traffic jams. While she lived in Repentigny and worked in Montreal, she was especially grateful for the considerable time gained. “I found it really nice driving at night, when there is no traffic,” she says.
being in a less demanding environment
“Since many people are asleep, night time is a restful, quiet environment,” she says. She also explains that in the context of bars, night clientele want to go out and have fun, which makes contact with them more serene and enjoyable than during the day.
often being paid better
For Geneviève, working in a nightclub was a good way to make her time more profitable. “It’s a pretty well-paying job. I can earn more in a single shift than in several in another context,” she notes.
A few months ago she nonetheless decided to leave this job, not for the disadvantages but rather because she felt she had done it all and had nothing more to learn from it. “Obviously, in the very long term, I still don’t think it’s very good for health, and it has an impact on your social life,” she has to admit.