Powering Island Life Beyond the Nine to Five

In partnership with Guernsey Electricity

There’s a version of Guernsey life that many of us recognise. The morning commute, the school run and the general busyness that comes with a typical working day. And there’s an alternative, with a workforce that powers us throughout the night and keeps things moving at the weekend. Keeping the lights on, the hospital running and the streets safe.

Our way of life can only exist because many people have chosen to work outside of the usual nine to five. Shift work often sits in the background of our daily routines, yet it plays a central role in keeping everything running smoothly. From infrastructure and healthcare to emergency services, non-traditional working hours are part of what makes island living possible. 

We spoke to Robbie, a Control Room Operator at Guernsey Electricity, to get a glimpse into what that looks like in practice. Like many people new to shift work, he remembers the initial adjustment well:

“That first night shift, I remember pulling up on the drive and trying to unlock the front door with my car key.”

 

Image credit: Bruce Barrow

Keeping the Island Going

For organisations like Guernsey Electricity, round-the-clock working is at the heart of what they do. The island does not switch off, and neither does the team that keeps it powered. On an island like Guernsey, reliable electricity is part of daily life, something we all depend on without really needing to think about it.

Behind that reliability are teams working throughout the night and over the weekend, with rotating shifts to make sure the island keeps going. It's skilled work that requires expertise and focus.

“The job bears a lot of responsibility. If I go into work tired, even a small lapse in concentration could have a huge domino effect for the whole island.”

Someone is always on watch, whether the rest of the island is fast asleep or partying the night away. There is pride in that role and a real sense of purpose for the many shift workers who know that their work directly supports island life.

 

Image credit: Robbie

The Upsides of Shift Work

Shift work is sometimes discussed in terms of what it takes away, but for many it’s a conscious decision that suits their lives better than traditional working hours ever could. One of the biggest benefits is flexibility. Different shifts suit different stages of life. Early starts can mean free afternoons. Evening or night shifts can open up daylight hours for appointments, family time or simply being outside when the island is quieter. That flexibility is something Robbie values: 

“My favourite part of working shifts is the flexibility and the ability to do what I need to between shifts, then come in refreshed and fully focused.”

There is also variety. Changing patterns can keep roles feeling engaging, particularly in operational or technical environments where focus matters. For some, that variation helps work feel more balanced over time.

Off-peak living is another advantage that shift workers know well. Quieter roads, easier parking and less crowded shops can make everyday life feel simpler. Even small things, like walking the coast path on a weekday morning, can feel like a luxury. It also creates space in the day that many people don’t have. Living and working on the island adds another layer to that:  

“Knowing I don’t start work until half one gives me the whole morning to go and do whatever I need to do. One of the real benefits of Guernsey is the opportunity to go for a run on the coast.”

It’s a balance that comes with the territory:

“You’re going to miss some things, you’re going to benefit from some things. That’s shift life.”

There is a practical side to this too. Working different hours often means being more aware of how and when energy is used at home. Running appliances later in the evening or overnight, when demand is lower, can be a small but significant way for households to make the most of off-peak electricity, without it becoming another thing to overthink.

 

Image credit: Unsplash+

An Honest Take on the Challenges

Of course, working outside standard hours comes with its own set of challenges. Sleep can take more planning. Social routines do not always line up. It can take time to adjust, especially when shifts rotate. What matters is how those challenges are recognised and supported. When shift work is designed well, with clear patterns, recovery time and an understanding that wellbeing matters, it becomes far more sustainable.

Over time, he’s learned to listen to what his body needs:

“If I feel tired, I go to sleep. I don’t fight it.”

Employers who operate 24 hours a day have a responsibility to think carefully about how work fits into life, not the other way around. That means recognising that rest, routine and balance are not nice extras. They are essential.

 

Finding Your Rhythm

There can be a tendency to think about work through a one-size-fits-all lens, with regular hours and predictable routines. But balance does not look the same for everyone. Increasingly, the idea of a fixed nine to five is being challenged. Shift work can offer an alternative way of life, bringing flexibility over how the week is shaped, which is becoming increasingly important as priorities around work and life evolve.

Having the right structure in place makes a real difference:

“The way Guernsey Electricity have structured that shift programme… the six-week block… is absolutely fantastic.”

As a community, Guernsey relies on people who are willing to work when others are resting. Recognising the value of that work, and supporting the people who do it well, matters.

 

Image credit: Unsplash+

Wellbeing Beyond the Nine to Five

Working beyond traditional hours often means thinking a little differently about your body's rhythm, both physically and mentally. But there are simple ways to support your energy and wellbeing and bring some balance to your everyday.

1. Protect your rest

Sleep schedules don't have to be perfect to be effective. Consistency matters more than timing, especially when shifts rotate.

2. Fuel for your hours

Eating in a way that supports energy across long or late shifts can make a real difference, even if meal times look unconventional.

3. Create reset moments

Simple routines between work and rest, such as a short walk, a shower or stepping outside, can help mark the end of a shift.

4. Embrace quiet times

Off-peak time can offer space for errands or exercise, without the usual rush, so use this to your advantage.

5. Stay connected

Working different hours can shift social routines. Making time for connection, even briefly, helps maintain balance.