Returning to shift work after retirement

I’m in two minds because I think it’s reasonable for your husband to go back to work part time over two nights a week, but Saturday night is a bad night to work. Sunday night wouldn’t bother me, as you can still do other things during the day. I think you must work on your fears of loneliness when he isn’t with you though because you must have your own life that isn’t dependent on his support 24/7, which will make him feel guilty, that’s no good for either of you.

Weekends are family time ....working every weekend is unfair to you...tell him now before he gets to involved in the job

I started off being on his side. But with further thinking, I am on yours.
With his skills, he doesnt need to take a job doing shifts, I would have thought.
I could handle the two nights I think, but you cant, and I am not you.
From his perspective, you did have time to say something.

So I think now, you two have to decide what to do about the job, going forward.

Have sympathy for your position but not a good idea to stop him doing a job he wants to do … after all he did it for all those years … why don’t you think of things you would like to do on your own or with friends at the weekends? Many jobs aren’t M-F now. Or make those days busy so all you want to do is crash on the sofa in the evening and watch your fave show. Those unsocial shifts are more likely to be the ones available and difficult to fill by FT staff … anyway all best

No, I don't think you're being unreasonable. He's gone back on his word. He knew how you felt about him working shifts, and said he wouldn't do it again. Now, he's not only chosen to do it again, but it's at the weekends, when you could otherwise be enjoying time together, days out, weekends away, going out with friends, etc. I'd be very unhappy about it, and I'd have to tell him so. You shouldn't be the one feeling guilty here, worrying that he'll be disappointed if he has to give up his job. He should feel guilty for leaving you home alone at weekends when other couples are usually out and about enjoying themselves, or even simply enjoying a nice meal together at home, or with friends. You shouldn't be wasting your retirement sitting at home alone on a Saturday & Sunday evening.

This means you can’t go anywhere at weekends so it just isn’t any old only two shifts, so no I don’t think URBU.

After 30 years of shift work maybe he did not think 2 nights a week would be a problem especially as you didn’t object when he applied for the job.

You have said that he would leave if you say anything and you would feel bad, he will probably be unhappy too as he wants this job.

You have to weigh up your feelings now against feeling bad for making him leave and him having to leave a job he wants.

You had an agreement and he has gone against that. Tell him you are unhappy. Remjnd him of the agreement. He can find something else.