Dubai: Life in the UAE revolves around work for most residents. While the larger chunk of this population sweats it out during the day, there are some who have jobs that keep them awake all night. Despite common concerns over health hazards and insufficient time spent with the family, Dubai’s night owls tell us there are many pluses too of doing the swing shift – like the chance to earn more money (in some cases), escape harrowing daytime traffic and yes, even stay away from the hawk-eyed boss. Meet a section of Dubai’s nocturnal workforce:
Dr Ali Ganai, 40, Indian
Emergency physician, Mediclinic Welcare Hospital
My family: Married with two daughters
What I do: As emergency physician for the past eight years, I have been dealing with a wide range of medical and surgical emergencies. This means I need to begin the management of any medical condition or injury, including critical cases. What we do at ER has a major impact on the patient’s life, so the job carries a lot of responsibility.
My schedule: 7pm to 7am the next morning, one to two times a week.
What’s good about night shift: There’s less traffic on the roads; you get time to catch up on personal work like paying bills, provided you have slept enough during the day; you can even study further if you want; and yes, in the lighter vein, you don’t need to see your boss at night!
The challenges: There’s no guarantee that you can make up for the lost sleep as there are too many distractions during the day. You don’t eat well either. You can get exhausted and stressed and it can impact your overall health. It’s hard for the family too to adjust to your schedule.
Cynthia Nassozi, 22, Ugandan
Front desk guest service agent, Four Point Sheraton
My family: Single. I have two sisters and a brother
What I do: I greet arriving guests, assign rooms, issue keys and ascertain payments. I also coordinate with other departments like housekeeping or bell service to fulfil requests by guests.
My schedule: 11pm to 8am the next day, three times a week; I also work as a night shift reliever.
What’s good about night shift: It has helped me improve my skills; learn new things and I am able to make decisions – all on my own. I get more time to run errands, catch up with friends etc .
The challenges: My timings interfere with my family’s schedule, so we get less time to talk. Adjusting to normal sleep timings can be tough. I try to eat healthy and limit caffeine so that I am able to sleep better once I am done with work.
Christopher Daniel, 50, Sri Lankan
Night store manager, Choithrams
My family: Married with a son, and daughter
What I do: I manage the store operations, staff management, customer service, merchandising and cash control during the nights. This calls for utmost efficiency and effectiveness.
My schedule: 9.30pm to 7.30am the next morning, six times a week
What’s good about night shift: It gives me a lot of exposure; I have more time to focus on customer service and analyse reports as there is little distraction from deliveries. I make an extra income. I get more time for personal work like banking and connecting with family during the day.
The challenges: I don’t get direct contact with major suppliers, sales persons, merchandisers etc; I miss out on daytime events, activities, meetings at work as I am home; I have to deal with some cases of customers, who can get difficult during the night, and it calls for a lot of patience.
Mylanil Ayson, 32, Filipina
Emergency Room (ER) nurse, Aster Hospital
My family: Married with a one-year-old son and daughter, 3.
What I do: My job requires different skills, including the ability to handle life-threatening situations with speed, care and expertise. I have been trained to assess, intervene and stabilise a variety of trauma cases and illnesses with decisive action. The most common cases are accident-related, children with fever etc.
My schedule: 7pm to 7am the next day, three days a week
What’s good about night shift: In ER, most of the cases we handle are new and critical, meaning the learning opportunity is extensive. Night shifts also help me in organising my family life as I get time to prepare my kids for the day. They allow me to attend parent-teacher meetings, cook for my family, go shopping etc.
The challenges: Prioritising emergency cases is always a challenge. So is the task of pacifying and comforting patients. At times, it can get difficult to attain a work-life balance. I have to miss social gatherings and activities with friends and family, which usually only happen after 7pm.
Praveen William Xavier, 27, Indian
Auto technician, Battmobile
What I do: I carry out jobs which include but are not limited to onsite car battery testing and replacement. It’s an all-time emergency job, so I have to be always ready.
My schedule: Mostly four nights a week, 8pm to 7am the next day
My family: Married with a family of five
What’s good about night shift: I get to deal with less traffic on the roads. It is generally more peaceful at night. I also get paid extra.
The challenges: Most of my time in the day is spent taking rest, so I miss out on family and social life; I also have to factor health complications, lack of support services. My family worries about me as I’m mostly on the road at night time.
Asadullah Muhammad Abdullah, 29, Pakistani
Driver, Careem
What I do: I ferry passengers from one point to another. Sometimes, I drive them to Abu Dhabi and back too.
My schedule: 4pm-5am the next day, daily
My family: Single
What I like about night shift: The roads are fairly empty during the night and driving is much easier than it is during the daytime. It’s not as hot either.
The challenges: None that I can think of.
