Separated by Work

If you are Separated by Work this book has you covered. Support, understanding and strategies for families, workers and OHS & HR professionals. So many families are overwhelmed, broken and left feeling unsupported and don't know where to turn for help.

Kirsty O'Callaghan wrote this comprehensive book to help you survive and thrive while apart.


Fly-in fly-out work practices occur across a number of professions, such as medical and allied health services, but are predominantly associated with the resources industry. Similar to the fly-in fly-out roster is DIDO (drive-in drive-out), BIBO (bus in bus out), SISO (ship in ship out) – which has essentially the same benefits and negatives. A FIFO workplace could be offshore or land based, construction or mine, or overseas – within the mining industry or another industry.


This is too hard – where do I turn?


On site the worker is separated from everything familiar and has hours filled with loneliness, doubt and exhaustion. The partner at home is handling everything on their own and they are exhausted and counting the sleeps until their loved one comes home. There are unique challenges that this lifestyle and work choice has – that will often leave families, overwhelmed, broken and left feeling unsupported – wondering why they are doing this at all and where they can turn for help.
While there are plenty of orientation books for the workers, online websites and groups for the workers and their partners – there isn’t a user-friendly, all inclusive handbook and resource for ALL who are involved – from young to older, those away and those at home, single to married with children – a guide that prepares the whole family and keeps them going during the rotations, changes and upheavals. Separated by Work fills this gap and more.


Included are hands-on exercises and practical tips and exercises. Interspersed through the narrative are interviews and quotes from other experts in the field and short case studies from workers and families.


Real-life issues explored throughout the book include –
Proper preparation,
Know ‘why’ you are doing this,
Money and goals,
Looking after you,
Great relationships while apart,
Parenting challenges and solutions,
The unexpected situations,
Life after FIFO.


Separated by work gives you the tools and encouragement you need to take back control, help yourself and each other through the toughest times, and be happier for choosing a FIFO lifestyle – no matter how long you decide that will be. It draws on Kirsty’s family’s experiences during the last seven years that her husband has worked in the mining industry and the countless hours she’s coached and counseled clients who are separated by work.


Separated by Work combines sound logic and theory, making it a unique resource for families, OHS and HR professionals, businesses and workplaces.


“As an employer in the field and a FIFO survivor, I can strongly recommend this excellent manual to anyone contemplating or in the middle of the FIFO experience. This is an interactive instruction book based on real people and real experiences not just theory that provides real tools on how to avoid or work through the challenges we all face with this lifestyle. Having raised a family through and due to FIFO, I can honestly say we could have stressed less and been happier sooner if we had access to some of the resources and had conversations mentioned in this wonderful book.”
- Warren Leicester, Operations Manager International Downer EDI Mining


"You don't need to be in a FIFO relationship to get something from reading this book. It’s a marriage saver."
- Nicky, a long-term FIFO wife