[email protected]... · about this guide 3 what are fifo and dido? 4 what to expect as a...

[email protected]

About this guide 3

What are FIFO and DIDO? 4

What to expect as a FIFO or DIDO worker 4

What are the benefits of the FIFO lifestyle? 5

The challenges 6

Aharshworkenvironment 6

Yourphysicalhealth 6

Yourmentalhealth 6

Relationshipstresses 6

Yourpartnermaybehavingahardtimetoo 7

Jugglingdemandsonyourtimeathome 7

Rolesandresponsibilities 7

DoFIFO/DIDOcontractorsfacedifferentstressesfromdirectemployees? 7

Domanagersfacedifferentstressesfromregularworkers? 7

How do you know if FIFO/DIDO is right for you? 8

How can you prepare yourself? 8

Knowwhereyouaregoingandwhatconditionswillbelike 8

Good practice company policies and standards 9

Talkitthroughwithyourpartner 9

Managingimpactsonkids 9

Ifyoulivealone 9

Coping strategies when on site 10

Managefatigue 10

Managefeelingsofloneliness 10

Connectwiththelocalcommunity 10

Stayintouchwithfriendsandlovedones 10

When you come home 11

Takecareofyourrelationship 11

Useful resources 12

CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS GUIDEThe purpose of this guide is to provide useful information to potential employees considering applying for positions involving long distance commuting work, including fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) work. Long-distance commuting work has significant advantages for both companies and employees, but may also present challenges for some employees in adapting to the lifestyle and managing personal relationships.

This guide is intended to provide the sufficient information for employees to make informed choices when considering long distance com-muting work.

THE GUIDE:

» Discusses what we mean by the terms, ‘FIFO’ and ‘DIDO’

» Points out the main benefits and challenges of the FIFO/DIDO lifestyle

» Suggests some coping strategies for some of the commonly encountered challenges faced by FIFO/DIDO workers and their families

» Provides a checklist of questions to help potential employees decide whether or not the FIFO/DIDO lifestyle is right for them and their families

» Lists some useful websites for organisations that provide support to FIFO/DIDO workers and their families

» Provides handy in-text references for those wanting to know more about the FIFO/DIDO lifestyle, its impacts and challenges

FIFO + DIDO GUIDE 3

WHAT ARE FIFO AND DIDO?Fly-in,fly-out(FIFO)anddrive-indrive-out(DIDO)aretypesoflong-distancecommutingwork,inwhichemployeesflyordriveonaregularbasistotheirplaceofwork.FIFOandDIDOpracticesarecommonacrossAustralia,buthaveahighpublicprofileinthemineralsandenergysectorsowingtothegeographicalremotenessofoperationsandthecyclicalnatureofresourcedevelopmentandexpansion,whichmeansthatworkforcenumberscanbehighlyvariable.

Thelongdistancesinvolvedingettingtoremotelocationsmeanthatworkerscannotreturnhomeattheendofashiftandsotheyarerosteredtostayatworkforasetnumberofdaysbeforeflyingordrivinghomeforanumberofdays.

Duringthetimeatwork,theywillliveonornearsite,ofteninpurpose-builtvillageswithqualityaccommodation,cateredmeals,cleaningservicesandrecreationalfacilitiesprovided.Insomecases,companieswillhouseFIFOandDIDOworkersinrentalpropertiesinresidentialtowns,hotels,andmotels.

WHAT TO EXPECT AS A FIFO OR DIDO WORKERAsaFIFOorDIDOworkeryoucanexpecttoworklongshiftsonsite.Shiftsof12hoursorlongerarenotuncommon,subjecttofatigueandriskmanagementprotocols.Rostersvarybasedonfactorsincludingthelocalamenityofthesurroundingregion.Atypicalroster(knownintheindustryasa‘swing’)is14dayson,sevendaysoff(‘14/7’),althoughcompaniesoperatinginremotelocationsarealsousingshorterrosters(eg‘7/7’)inanefforttoimproveemployeesatisfaction,performanceandretention.

StartingFIFOandDIDOworkusuallyinvolvestravellingsomedistancetoaprojectsite.InthecaseofFIFOopera-tionsinremoteareas,workersmayflyoncompany-fundedcharterflights,whileinothercasesworkerswilltravelonscheduledflightsbeforetakingabusorcartotheminevillageornearbyresidentialtown.DIDOworkersshouldensurethattheybegintheirjourneysrefreshedandallowadequatetimeforbreaks(atleastonceeverytwohours).InsomelocationssuchasQueensland’sBowenBasin,charteredbusservices(BIBO)havebeenaddedtocommutingoptionsintheinterestsofsafety.

Youcanexpectlivingconditionsatworkerscampstobeofahighstandard.ThequalityofaccommodationandsitefacilitiesatAustralianoperationshasimprovedsignificantlyinrecentyearsandmanyvillagesofferprivateroomswithen-suiteandair-conditioning,aswellasextensiverecreationalfacilitiesincludingsportsfields,tenniscourts,gymsandswimmingpools.Mealsareservedbuffetstyleinamessandareusuallyofahighstandard,withhealthyoptionsavailable.MedicalfacilitiesarealsocommonplaceatAustralianmineralsandenergydevelopmentsites,withmanyprovidingon-sitemedicalcentersandanon-calldoctor.

Itisimportanttobearinmindthatthequalityofaccommodationandfacilitiesdoesvarydepending on the company and project siteandsopotentialFIFO/DIDOworkersshouldconsiderwhetherlivingconditionsaretotheirlikingbeforemakingacommitmenttoemployment.Mineralsandenergycompanies(andmajorcontractors)areverymuchawareoftheimportanceofgoodtelecommunicationsforenablingtheiremployeestostayincontactwithfamilyandfriendsathome.ThiscommunicationisanessentialcomponentinhelpingFIFOandDIDOworkersdealwiththechallengesthatresultfromseparationfromfriendsandfamilyforaperiodoftime.Asaresult,mostsiteshavepublictelephones,mobilephonereception,freeinternet,andWi-Fi.

FIFO + DIDO GUIDE 4

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE FIFO LIFESTYLE?» FIFOandDIDOworkoffersnumerousbenefitsforworkersandtheirfamilies.

» AmajorattractionisthattheFIFOlifestyleallowsworkerstoliveanywheretheywantwhilepursuingacareerinthesector.

» Skillsshortages,particularlyinregionswhereresourcedevelopmentsareoccurring,meanthatcompaniesarepreparedtoflyskilledworkersinandoutofprojectsitesfromanywhereinthecountry.Fromtheworker’sperspective,thismeansthereisgreaterfreedomtochooseemployersandjobconditions,whichmayimprovejobsatisfaction

» Byprovidingbetteropportunitiesforprofessionaldevelopmentandcareeradvancement.

» ThetypicalFIFOrosterallowsworkerstospendextendedperiodsoftimewithfriendsandfamilyduringtimeoff(restandrelaxation,‘R&R’)–considerablymorethanwiththeaveragenine-to-fivejob.Thisallowsparentstospendqualitytimewiththeirchildren,attendingsportingeventsandvisitingtheschoolduringtheirtimeoff.Thisextendedtimeoffalsogivesworkersmoretimetopursuetheirinterestsandlifegoals,suchashobbies,travel,sportandfurthereducation.

» Workerscancontinuetoliveintheirhometownsandcommunitieswheretheyhaveasupportnetworkoffriendsandfamily.Thisisparticularlyimportantforcoupleswithchildrenbutitappliestoallworkers.

» Bybeingabletoliveinacommunityoftheirchoice,workerscanaccessqualityfacilitiesandservices,suchaswell-equippedmedicalservices,schoolsandchildcare.

» FinancialbenefitsareoftenareasonforundertakingFIFOwork.viMineralsandenergycompaniesgenerallypaygoodsalaries,andoftenprovidelivingallowancesandotherbenefits.

» Changingjobsismucheasierbecauseworkersarenotrestrictedtoemploymentopportunitiesintheirlocalcommunity.Thishasthemajoradvantageofallowingpeopletotravelwherevertherearejobopportunities,withouthavingtouproottheirfamiliesandleavefriendsbehind.Italsomeansworkersarelessvulnerabletothecyclicalemploymentdemandsofindividualprojects.

» FIFOandDIDOallowpeopletoworkinremotelocationswhileallowingtheirpartners’careertocontinueathome.

» Bybeingabletoliveinacommunityoftheirchoice,FIFO/DIDOenablespeopletocontinuetohaveanactive sociallife.

FIFO + DIDO GUIDE 5

THE CHALLENGES

FIFO + DIDO GUIDE 6

AlthoughFIFOandDIDOworkoffersemployeesandtheirfamiliesmanybenefits,itcanalsobringchallenges.BeforedecidingonwhetherornottotakeonFIFOworkitisimportantthatyoufullyunderstandpotentialchallengesofthelifestyleandappreciatewhattheywillmeanforyouandyourfamily.Thiswillalsohelpyouthinkaboutwhetheryoucanfindwaystomanagethestressesassociatedwiththelifestyle.

A HARSH WORK ENVIRONMENTMostpeoplefindtheremoteworkenvironmentandperiodsofseparationfromfriendsandfamilythemostchallengingaspectsoftheFIFOlifestyle.Ifyouarearrivingonsiteforthefirsttimeyoumayfeelsomewhatdauntedbytheharshnessoftheenvironment.Thesheerscaleofoperationscanbeintimidating,too.Youwilllikelybeworkingwith,oraround,verylargeequipmentandsizeableworkcrews.Thisisthereasonwhytherewillbesomuchemphasisplacedonhealthandsafety–yourown,andthemembersofyourteam.Youwillhavetoworkhard,gettingusedtolongshiftsandgettingtoknowthemembersofyourteam.Youmayhavetoadjusttoshiftworkandnewsleeppatterns.Beingonaminesiteforthefirsttimeinvolvesahugelearningprocessandyouwilladjusttothelifestylemuchmoreeffectivelyifyoulookafteryourhealth.

YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTHIfyouarestayinginanaccommodationvillage,youwillhaveaccesstoasmuchfoodasyoucaneatinthemess.Despitetherebeingavarietyofhealthyfoodsavailable,fatteningfoodsarealwaystheretotemptyou,andit’snoteasytocontrolportionsizewhenthere’splentyoffoodonofferfromthebuffet.Sobeawareof‘SmorgasbordSyndrome’,asweightgainissometimescalledintheindustry!

SUBSTANCE ABUSEThereisacommonviewthattheFIFOlifestylecancontributetoexcessiveconsumptionofalcoholandsubstanceabuse.Whilesthisistalkedaboutalot,thereisverylittledetailedresearchtoconfirmthattheincidenceofsubstanceabuseisanyhigheramongFIFOworkersthaninthegeneralpopulation.However,somepeoplearedefinitelytemptedtounwindafterastressfuldayatworkbyhavingafewdrinks.Drinkingtoomuchisbadforyourhealth-toomuchalcoholcanleadtode-hydrationandpoorsleep,leavingyoufeelingphysicallyandemotionallyfragile.Thisisn’tagreatwaytofrontuptoworkthenextday.

Somepeoplemanagefineonsitebutusedrinkordrugsasawaytorelaxwhentheygethome.It’sunderstandablethatyouwillwanttoletoffsomesteamwhenyougethomeandpartywithfriends.However,excessivedrugandalcoholconsumptionarelikelytomakeyoufeelmore,ratherthanlessdepressed,ifyouarepronetothesefeelings,andcontributetorelationshipstress.

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TheincidenceofmentalhealthissuesdoesnotappeartobeanyhigheramongFIFOandDIDOworkersthaninthegeneralAustralianpopulationbuttheycanfaceuniquestresses.Dependingonyourpersonalityandabilitytoadapt,itisimportanttoconsiderthesestressesandhowyouwouldmanagethemandmaintainapositiveoutlook.Beingawareofthepotentialproblemsishalfthebattle.

TwoofthemostcommonissuesfacedbyFIFOandDIDOworkersarefeelingsoflonelinessandsocialisolation.Bothofthesecannegativelyimpactyoursenseofwell¬being.Inadditiontomissingtheemotionalsupportoffamilyandfriendsathome,youmayalsomissfeelingpartofacommunityandbeingunabletoparticipateinsportingandsocialactivities.

ThesefeelingscanbeparticularlyhardtodealwithatimportantoccasionslikeChristmasorfamilyeventslikeschoolplaysandgraduationceremonies,parentteachernightsandend-of-yearcelebrationsatyourchild’sschool,kindergartenorchildcarecentre.

ThegoodnewsisthatmostsitesmaketheefforttocelebrateoccasionslikeChristmasandtherewillusuallybeaspecialmealatthemess.Somesiteswillevenhavespecialarrangementsthatenablepartnersandotherfamilymemberstovisityouonsite.Ifyouhavetheopportunitytobringyourfamilyforavisit,makethemostofit.It’sagreatwayforthemtogettoknowwhatyou’redoingwhenyouaren’tathome.

It’salsoimportanttoknowyou’vegotaplanandsupportnetworkfordealingwithcrises,suchasanillnessoraccidentathome,iftheyarise.Itwon’tendthecrisisbutwillgiveyouagreatersenseofcontrolifyouandyourpartnerhavepre-plannedforemergencies.

DEPRESSIONIfnotmanagedproperly,stressfulsituationslikefamilycrisesorworkpressurescantriggerfeelingsoflonelinessanddepression.Peopleunderstressaremorelikelytoabusealcoholandtakedrugstohelpthemselvesthroughthetoughpatches.Howev-er,alcohol,inparticular,isawell-knowndepressant.Thismeansthatyoucanbecaughtinaviciouscycleoffeelingdown,drinkingtorelievethestress,butendupfeelingmoredepressed,themoreyoudrink.Ifyouareexperiencingsymptomsofdepression,seekassistance.

RELATIONSHIP STRESSESWhilecommoninmanyrelationshipsandnotuniquetotheFIFO/DIDOlifestyle,beingawayfromhomeforextendedperiodscanbringrelationshipstresses.

FIFO + DIDO GUIDE 7

YOUR PARTNER MAY BE HAVING A HARD TIME TOOWhileyouareexperiencingyourownchallengesonsite,yourpartnerathomewillalsofindseparationchallenging,particularlyiftheyhavetotakecareofchildrenontheirown.Theymayalsofelltiredandlonely,justlikeyou.Anditcanbetoughdealingwithachildwhoisactingupwhileyouareaway.Otherconcernscommonlyraisedbypartnersrelatetodealingwithday-to-dayworries,suchascartroubles,orneedingtofindchildcareinahurry.

JUGGLING DEMANDS ON YOUR TIME AT HOMEOneofthemajorsourcesofrelationshipstressbetweenFIFOworkersandtheirpartnersconcernshowtimeisspentathome.Yourpartnermayfeelexcitedbecauseyouarefinallyhomesothatyoucanspendlotsoftimetogetherandbeavailableforallthosesocialactivitiesyoucan’tattendwhileyou’reaway.But,afteralonghardswingyoumayjustwanttostayhome,relaxandrechargeyourbatteries.Thiscanbemisunderstoodbyyourpart-ner,whomaythinkyouarebeingselfishanduncar-ing.Thiscansoonleadtoarguments,ifyoudon’ttalkthroughyourindividualneedsandhowtomeetthem.Otherfriendsandfamilywillwanttospendtimewithyoutoo,soit’simportanttobemindfulofthesecompetingdemandsonyourtimeandgettherightbalancebetweenrestandsocializing.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES Anothercommonproblemrelatestothedifficultiesofchangingrolesinthehousehold,whenoneofyouwillbecomingandgoingonaregularbasis.Thismightincludemisunderstandingsaboutwhohasresponsibilityfortakingthekidstofootballpractice,mowingthelawn,orevensomethingassimpleasputtingthegarbageout.Yourpartnermayautomaticallyassumethatyouwilltakeoverthesetasksassoonasyoureturnhome,toeasethework-load.However,youmayfeelthatthisisyourchancetofinallyrelaxafteralongperiodaway.Agreeingthedivisionoflabourandbeingconsiderateofeachother’sneedsisessentialifdomesticargumentsaretobeavoided.TheproblemissummarizedinthisquotefromahumanresourcesprofessionalforanAustralianresourcescompanywhohadpreviouslyworkedasaFIFOworker:‘You have the ‘at home mode’ where people are transitioning back. It is a challenge. Employees work on site for 14 long, challenging shifts. And when they come back home they don’t want to do anything - they just want to sleep. They disengage. Then you have the pressure from the husband or wife: you’ve got to drop your kids off at school, take them to football, cricket training, can you please clean the pool, mow the lawn. Come on mate, I just want some me time. So you’ve got the transitioning phase. It is certainly a strain on the relationship.’

DO FIFO/DIDO CONTRACTORS FACE DIFFERENT STRESSES FROM DIRECT EMPLOYEES?Asageneralrule,ifyouareworkingforacontractortoamineorotherresourcedevelopmentproject,youwillfacethesamechallengesandstressesasanyotherFIFOworker.However,muchwilldependonthearrangementsyourdirectemployerhasinplace,includinganyarrangementswiththecompanyowningthesite.Youwillneedtocheckouttherosterpatternandfindoutabouttheaccommodationarrangements.It’salsoworthcheckingwhatsupportsystemsyouremployerwillofferyouonceyou’reonsite.

DO MANAGERS FACE DIFFERENT STRESSES FROM REGULAR WORKERS?AlthoughFIFOemployeesallfacethecommonchallengesofthelifestyle,therearesomeimportantdifferences,dependingonyourlevelandroleonsite.Asageneralrule,regularemployeesworklongerrosters(ie14/7,7/7etc)thanmanagers,whomayworkfourdayson,fourdaysoff.However,whereasregularemployeescanlookforwardtoun-interruptedtimeoffbetweenswings,thisoftenisn’tthecaseforprofessionalworkersandmanagers.Iftherearemajordecisionstobemade,orasuddencrisisemerges,professionalsmayfindthattheyarebeingcontactedforadviceandtomakedecisions.Thiscanbechallenging,especiallyifyouhaveapartnerwhomayresentthefactthatyouarestill

working,evenonbreak.

SIGNS OF DEPRESSION:» FEELING SAD, ‘FLAT’ OR DOWN MOST OF THE TIME

» HAVING UNCHARACTERISTIC MOOD SWINGS

» LOSING INTEREST IN ACTIVITIES YOU USED TO ENJOY

» UNUSUAL LACK OF ENERGY AND MOTIVATION - INCREASED IRRITABILITY AND FRUSTRATION

» INCREASED ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND DRUG USE

» CHANGES IN YOUR WEIGHT OR APPETITE

» HAVING PROBLEMS SLEEPING OR SLEEPING ALL THE TIME

» FEELING WORTHLESS OR GUILTY

» FEELING RESTLESS, EDGY OR SLOWED DOWN

» HAVING DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING OR MAKING DECISIONS

» THINKING REPEATEDLY ABOUT DEATH OR SUICIDE.

SOURCE: LIFELINE

FIFO + DIDO GUIDE 8

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF FIFO/DIDO IS RIGHT FOR YOU?People from all walks and stages of life are employed as FIFO workers in the resources sector, from young singles to new parents and empty nesters. Many factors influence a person’s ability to adapt to the lifestyle. It has to suit your temperament, your personal life and your interests. When deciding if this is the right choice for you, it may be helpful for you to answer the questions in the box opposite. They won’t make the decision for you, but will help you to weigh up the pros and cons of the lifestyle.

WEIGHING UP THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF FIFO

BENEFITS CHALLENGESBENEFITS CHALLENGESWEIGHING UP THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF FIFO

» FinanciallyrewardingFreedomtochoosewhereyoulive

» Extendedperiodsoftimeofftospendwithfriends andfamilyandtopursueinterests

» Maintainaccesstofriendsandfamily

» Accesstoqualityfacilitiesandservices,e.g.schoolshospitals.

» Greaterfreedomtochangejobswithoutuprootingfamily

» Greaterjobsatisfactionandcareerprogression

» Workenvironmentcanbechallengingwithlong hours,fatigue,andanextremeclimate

» Periodsofseparationfromfriendsandfamily

» Feelingsoflonelinessandsocialisolation

» Mentalhealthissues

» Unhealthylifestylehabits

» Financialrewardscanleadtofinancialover-commitment

» Substanceabusetemptation

» Relationshipstresses

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE YOURSELF? KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO WHAT CONDITIONS WILL BE LIKE.Do a bit of research on the internet about the location where you will be working, including the climate, nearby communities, and nearby natural attractions you may want to visit on your RDOs. You may be away at work but this is also an opportunity for you to visit and explore new and interesting places that many people never get a

chance to visit.

IS REMOTE WORK RIGHT FOR YOU?1. Do you understand the climatic conditions you will be working in? Are you confident you can cope in the climate?2. Have you done FIFO/DIDO work before? Was your previous experience successful?3. Can you cope with living for extended periods away from your friends & family?4. Are you aware that the time you are away from home might not only include your roster, but also the time it takes you to travel to and from site? 5. Have you ever experienced significant loneliness when away from home?6. Have you ever experienced periods of depression?7. Do you think that being away from friends and family might trigger episodes of feeling down or depressed?8. Do you have a good support network that can help your partner our if needed?9. Are you confident you can manage if you get a call to say there is a domestic emergency?10. Are you happy with the roster length offered by Morris Corporation?11. Do you have commitments or interests that you would be able to pursue if you worked remotely, such as team sports?12. If you have children, how important is it to you that you attend all their events?13. Ask yourself, “Morris Corp offer good practice arrangements for FIFO/DIDO workers”?

YES NO MAYBE

FIFO + DIDO GUIDE 9

GOOD PRACTICE COMPANY POLICIES AND STANDARDSMany companies are very proactive in trying to relieve the challenges and stresses of the remote lifestyle. These companies realise that good policies and conditions help them attract and retain employees. Before committing to working for a company, carefully consider what their policies and conditions for FIFO workers are, and see if these are the best fit for you. The following arrangements are considered good practice in the Australian resources sector.

DOES THE EMPLOYER OFFER?

» Flexiblehours?

» Qualityaccommodationfacilitieswithen-suite,air-conditioning,televisionandinternetaccess.Accommodationshouldbewellinsulatedforsoundandtemperature.

» Sportingandrecreationfacilities,e.g.pool,gym,tennis/basketballcourts,aswellasorganizedteamsports

» MobilephonereceptionandfreeWi-Fi24houron-sitemedicalfacilities,withDoctoroncall

» Initiativestodevelopcloserinteractionbetweenemployeesandinhabitantsofnearbycommunities,suchassponsoredsportingevents

» Theopportunityforsitevisitsforpartnersandfamilysotheycanseewhereyouworkandgainabetterunderstandingofyourworklife

» Qualityfreshfoodinthemesswithlotsofvariationandhealthyoptionsavailable

TALK IT THROUGH WITH YOUR PARTNERItisonethingforyoutobeabletocopewiththechallengesofthelifestyle,andanotherthingforyourpartnertobeabletomanage.Speaktoyourpartnerandmakesureyourbothagreeonyoube-comingaFIFOworker.Goovertheprosandconsofthelifestyleandaskeachotherifyoureallyunder-standwhatitwillentail.Themoneyandthetimeoffcanbegreat,buthowwillyoudealwiththechal-lenges?RememberthatcommunicationisthemostimportantfactorinmakingtheFIFOlifestylework.

MANAGING IMPACTS ON KIDSIfyouhavechildren,itisnaturalthattheywillmissyouwhenyouareaway.Youngerkids,inparticular,cangetanxiousandsadasaresultofseparationsoitisimportantthatyouandyourpartnerfindwaysofreassuringthem.Ifyourchildisdisplayingsignsofanxiety,suchasexcessivecryingandbeingclingy,havingdifficultysleepingetc.allowthemtotalkaboutwhattheyarefeelingandgivethemextraaffection.

Andrememberthatthetelephone,email,SkypecallsandFacebookareagreatwayofkeepingintouchwiththekidswhenyou’reaway.Itletsthemknowyou’rethinkingaboutthemwhenyoucall-andFacebookisagreatwayofkeepingupwiththeirday-to-dayactivities.

TherearenumeroustechniquesparentscanusetocomfortchildrenwhoaremissingDadorMum.AgoodresourceforFIFO/DIDOfamiliesthatcoverssomeofthesetechniquesistheMiningFamilyMatterspublication,‘SurvivalGuideforMiningFamilies’.Contactdetailsforthishelpfulorganisationarelistedintheresourcessectionofthisguide.

IF YOU LIVE ALONEMaintainingcontactwithfamilyandfriendscanbeevenmoreimportantifyoulivealone.iiiForsome,cominghometoanemptyhousecanbedepressingexperience,afteraworkenvironmentwithlotsofpeopleandactivity.Forothers,thepeaceandquietbetweenswingsissomethingtolookforwardto.Eitherway,it’simportanttostayconnectedwithfriendsandfamily–inyourowntimeandinawaythatworksforyou.

Intheinterestsofyourownhealthandsafety,it’sgoodtohavesomeonetocheckonthemailinyourabsenceorleaveafewbasicfooditemsinthefridgeforyourreturn.Andyouwillappreciatehavingsomeonelookingoutforyou.

Gettingtogetherwithfriendsandfamilymaynotalwaysbeeasy,especiallyiftheyhaveregular‘ninetofive’jobs.Youmayfindit’softenuptoyoutoinitiatecontactandplantheget-togethers.Butit’sdefinitelyworththeeffortofstayingintouch.

MANAGE FATIGUEFatiguecanbeanissueforFIFOworkersandcanim-pactonyouremotionalwellbeingandperformanceatwork.Fatigueisnotonlycausedbythenatureoftheworkbutalsobypoorsleeppatterns.Thereareafewsimplethingsyoucandotomanagefatiguewhileonsite.

First,keepalcohol,coffeeandenergydrinkconsumptiontoaminimum.Second,getsomeexercise.Aswimorasessionatthegymbeforedinnercanmarkthetransitionbetweenworkandrelaxationtime.Finally,trynottowatchTVuntilyoufallasleep–instead,tryreading.Masteringrelaxationtechniquesormeditationcanworkforsomepeople,too.

MANAGE FEELINGS OF LONELINESSBE PROACTIVE ABOUT TACKLING LONELINESS:

» Getinvolvedinsocialeventsandsportsactivities.Thiswillhelpyoutomakenew friendsandformbondswithotherworkersonsite.Mostsitesofferarangeofsocialandsportingactivities

» Beproductive–trytouseyourfreetimeonsiteonworthwhileactivities.Takesomegoodbooks,dosomefurtherstudy,planaprojectaroundthehouse,orcheckoutholidaydestinations.Doingthesethingsismucheasierifyouhavealaptop,iPad/tabletorcomputerwithyou

» Bemindfuloffeelinglonely–thismightsoundcounter-intuitive,butsimplynoticingyouareexperiencingnegativefeelingslikelonelinesscanhelpyoudealwiththem

.

FIFO + DIDO GUIDE 10

CONNECT WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITYOneofthegreatbenefitsofFIFO/DIDOworkisthatitgivespeopleachancetoworkonresourceprojectsindiverseanduniquepartsofAustralia.Theremightbenearbytownswitharealsenseofcommunityanduniquehistory.Ortheymightbenearspectacularnaturalattractionsandinterestingplacestovisitoractivitiestoexperience.

Manycompaniesareencouraginggreaterinteractionwithlocalcommunities,forexamplebysupportinglocalcommunityeventsandopeningupcampsportingfacilitiestothebroadercommunity.Ifopportunitiesexisttogettoknowthelocals,trytogetinvolved–itmaybeagoodwaytomakearewardingconnectionwiththeareaanditspeople

STAY IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS AND LOVED ONESCommunicationisthekeytomakingtheremotelifestylework.Whetheryouaresingle,orpartnered,itisimportanttostayinregulartouchwithfriendsandfamilyandtotalkthroughanyissuesyouaredealingwith.Forthosewithpartners,establishcommunicationguidelinesthatbothofyouagreeto,forexamplespeakingonthephoneorskypingonaregularbasisatasettime.However,ifyousetregulartimestocallmakesurethatthisdoesn’tbecomeaburden.Ifthere’snothingnewtotalkabout,youmightcreateunnecessarypressuretotalkforthesakeoftalking.Ifthishappens,considerjustsendingatextmessagetostayconnectedandtoshowtheotherpersonyouarethinkingaboutthem.

COPING STRATEGIES WHEN ON SITE

WHEN YOU COME HOMEFinally, make sure your family understands you need to get some rest. It’s good to be productive at home to catch up with friends but if you spend your entire break on the go, you will return to work exhausted and feeling flat.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIPTryingtojugglecompetingdemandsonyourtimewhenyoucomehomecanbedifficult.However,thereareanumberofthingsyouandyourpartnercandotoreducethelikelihoodthatthiswillbecomeasourceofconflictinyourrelationship:

» Cometoanagreementwithyourpartneronthenumberofnightsthatyouwillspendtogetherorapart–don’torganizealargenumberofsocialactivitiesforwhenyoufirstcomebackhome

» Iftherearestressesoverdemandsonyourtime,speakopenlyaboutthesebeingasymptomoftheremotelifestyleandnotofthequalityofyourrelationship

Onegoodideaisforthepartnerathometoorganizeawelcomehomecelebration.Thiscanbeassimpleascookingafavouritemealorsettingasideuninter-ruptedtimetobetogether.Ifyouhavechildren,thisroutinewillmakethemfeelhappyandreassurethemthattheirparentsvalueeachother.

SomecouplesfinditworksbesttolettheFIFO/DIDOpartnersleeplateonthefirstdaybackandgivethemabitofspaceforthefirstfewdays.Inreturn,thepartnerathomeshouldhavesometimeforthemselves,suchasgettingabreakfromthekids.Ifyouareoneworkingaway,dosomethingspecialforyourpartnerwhenyouarehome.Taketheinitiativeandorganizeadatenight.

COMMUNICATION TIPSPhonecalls,textmessages,videosandSkypecallsremindyourlovedonesyouarepresentintheirlives,evenifyou’renotphysicallythere.

Facebookisagreatwayofkeepingupwithfriendsandoflettingthemknowwhenyourwillbebackintown

Electroniccommunicationisgreat–justdon’tforgetyourphonechargerwhenyouheadoffforthenextswing!

Arrangeasettimetocommunicatewithyourpartner.Trytoarrangeatimewhenyoucantalkprivatelyaboutthepersonalthingsthatareimportanttoyouboth.

Sharingmusic,photosandjokesareagreatwayofconnectingwithkids

BecreativeanduseSkypetotalkaboutthosetrickyhomeworkproblems.

Kidslovereceivingletters,too.Don’tforget‘snailmail’asameansofcommunicatingwiththem.


FOR WORKERS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMSVirtuallyallAustraliancompanieswithFIFOandDIDOemployeesprovidesomekindofsupportforworkers,suchasemployeeassistanceprograms.Mostemployeesand(usually)theirimme-diatefamiliestoaccessconfidentialcounsellingfromanexternalserviceprovider.

OTHER EMPLOYEESOtheremployees,includingmanagersandsuperintendentscanhelpyouadapt.Thesepeoplewillhavearelationshipwithyouandtheabilitytohelpyouworkthroughproblemsbeforethingsescalate.

R U OK? FOUNDATIONAsuicidepreventiongroup,theRUOK?Foundationhaslaunchedacampaign,RUOK?Afield,aimedspecificallyatFIFOworkers.Theaimsofthecampaignaretopromptemployersandemployeestohaveregularandmeaningfulconversationsandtoinspirebehavioralchangesothatallpeopleintheworkplaceask“areyouokay?”ofanystrugglingwithlife

FAMILY SUPPORT

MINING FAMILY MATTERShttp://www.miningfm.com.au/ MiningFamilyMattersprovidespractical,professionalinformation,servicesandsupporttofamiliesintheminingandresourcessector.

FIFO FAMILIEShttp://www.fifofamilies.com.au/ FIFOFamiliesrunsanonlinesocialandsupportnetworkforFIFOparentsandpartners.

PARENTLINE:1300 301 300 [QLD & NT Only]8am to 10pm (AEST) – 7 days a weekParentlineprovidesconfidentialtelephonecounsellingtosupportparentsandcarersofchil-dren.Ithasexperiencedandtrainedcounsellorswhocanhelpbytalkingthingsoverwithyou,offeringguidanceandprovidingadviceonwaystomanageyourchildrenandyourselfmoreeffectively.

FIFO Connectionshttp://www.meetup.com/FIFOconnections AmeetupgroupoperatingintheBrisbaneregionthatoffersfamiliesandpartnersofFIFOworkerstheopportunitytoconnectandshareexperiencesregardingtheFIFOlifestyle.Thegroupoffersfriendshipandsupport,andthechancetomeetothersinasimilarsituation.

MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS SUPPORT

LIFELINE HOTLINE:131114Crisissupport,24hoursaday,7daysaweekLifelineprovidesallAustraliansexperiencingapersonalcrisiswithaccesstoonline,phoneandface-to-facecrisissupportandsuicidepreventionservices

MENSLINE AUSTRALIA:1300789978Crisissupport,24hoursaday,7daysaweekMensLineAustraliaisaprofessionaltelephoneandonlinesupport,informationandreferralservice,helpingmentodealwithrelationshipproblemsinapracticalandeffectiveway.

BEYONDBLUE HELPLINE:1300224636Crisissupport,24hoursaday,7daysaweekhttp://www.beyondblue.org.au/ BeyondblueworkstoincreaseawarenessandunderstandingofdepressionandanxietyinAustraliaandtoreducetheassociatedstigma.Aspartofitsmissionitoffersinformationandsupportforthosedealingwithdepressionandanxiety.

USEFUL RESOURCES


GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DECISION.IF YOU CHOOSE TO COMMUTE, FIFO/DIDO CAN BE A REWARDING LIFESTYLE.

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