What are the positives and negatives about your FIFO schedule?

Hey Sesharna, thanks for the question.

FIFO is not for everyone, My opinion is the industry needs to provide work life balance to keep employees safe, engaged and supported at both work and home. Equal time rosters are the way to achieve this.

IGO are well aware of this and promote the concept ensuring appropriate balance. I do an 8/6 roster flying to work at 615 on my first shift. I fly home at 1815 on my last shift. We travel in our rostered work time and have 7 nights at work 7 nights at home. I have young children and that is important to me and my family. I cant think of doing a longer roster with more than half my time is away from family.

I have always worked FIFO and refuse to take a roster greater than 8/6. The 6 days I have off allow me to do 2 weeks worth of admin, home duties, family time and personal time for myself.

By taking a swing of leave I get a 3 week break away so the roster makes it suitable to do extended holidays regularly, and bulk time with family.

Time away is always difficult, more for my partner managing 3 children. Too often we focus on how difficult it is for the worker onsite being away, but I find its the partners of FIFO works have greater struggles. We have food provided, comfortable accomodation and amenities for entertainment. Our partners don't have the same support while we're away, we need to be conscious of this and provide support for while were away. Not as much of an issue for single people but needs to be a consideration as at some point singles become families.

The provision of Wifi, in room internet and mobile communications has made the contact with home significantly easier and less of a disconnect when working away. This makes a significant difference when choosing a place to work. Again IGO are well aware of how important communication with family is and provide all these facilities to ease the separation.

Regards

Paul Seale