Shift work may be less popular than the regular 9 to 5 hours in some industries, but others couldn’t manage without it. If your business must cover more than the regular hours, your employees must work in shifts for you to keep your business running and to be compliant with labor legislation. Understanding how shifts work and what you need to provide efficient shift work management is essential for your employees’ well-being and your business’s productivity. Read along to find out all the crucial information you need to know about shift work.
Shift work refers to working schedules that are different than the regular hours during the day. The employee working in shifts may work for more than 8 hours continuously and then have a longer break until the next working period. Or they may work afternoons or nights instead of during the day. Or they may work on weekends from time to time. Shift work means having a somehow irregular work schedule that follows a pattern on its own.
The first shift, or the day shift, is the regular working schedule during the day. It starts in the morning (e.g., at 9 AM) and ends in the afternoon (e.g., at 5 PM). The starting and ending hours may vary. For example, a regular office job may start at 9 AM and end at 6 PM because it includes a lunch break. A baker may begin as early as 5 AM and finish work at 1 PM.
The second shift, often known as the afternoon shift, is an 8-hour work pattern that begins in the afternoon and concludes at night. Many grocery shops, for example, remain open until 10 PM, which means that the first shift begins at 7 AM and ends at 3 PM, and the second shift starts at 3 PM and ends at 11 PM.
The third shift, or the night shift, is an overnight working schedule that starts in the evening and ends early morning. For example, a bartender may start working at 9 PM and finish work at 5 AM when the club closes. Workers in non-stop shops may start work at midnight and end at 8 AM when the first shift starts.
The first, second, and third shifts refer to an 8-hour shift. However, shift work rarely has a regular pattern. Often, shifts have more than 8 hours, alternate, or are on-call events. Here are some alternative work shifts you should know about.
Employees working in fixed shifts have a predictable schedule and work the same daily hours. The 9 to 5 schedule is a fixed shift. However, fixed shifts also include always working the second or third shift.
Employees working in rotating shifts alternate between the first, second, and third shifts. Their work schedule changes from month to month and even more week to week, following a repetitive pattern. This approach to shift work is designed to prevent burnout and other health issues by ensuring that employees do not consistently work the same shift.
A 12-hour shift is also a popular choice for companies that need both day and night shifts (e.g., hospitals). Employees work for 12 hours and then have a longer time off period until the next shift. For example, they may work 12 hours, have 24 hours of time off, and then go back to work for another 12 hours.
Split shifts refer to working schedules that split the eight working hours into two or more shifts. For example, an employee may work for four hours early in the morning and another four hours late in the afternoon to be able to care for their children in between.
On-call shifts refer to asking an employee to work a shift at unusual hours as a one-time event. For example, you may schedule a meeting with people in a different time zone and ask your employees to change their schedule for a day. Or you may need your employees to overlook a process that occurs only at night, once every six months.
Shift work management considers the different categories of workers and adapts to their needs. Once you understand the types of workers, it will be easier to correlate their activity with a particular type of shift.
Full-time employees have the regular 8-hour-per-day work schedule (40 hours per week). They are often employed for an unlimited period, benefit from annual leave and perks, and stay with the company longer. Most full-time employees work during the day on the first shift. However, in specific industries we will cover later, even full-time workers work in shifts regularly.
Part-time employees work less than eight hours per day (less than 40 hours per week). The most common options are four or six hours per day. As a result, they are more likely to work in shifts than full-time employees. A four-hour shift in the afternoon or during the night has smaller implications. They are also more likely to take on-call shifts or work an irregular schedule (e.g., a 12-hour shift and three days of time off).
Temporary employees are employed for a limited period (e.g., project-based, seasonal, etc.). They may work full or part-time. Because of their brief employment duration, they frequently cover shifts that normal employees avoid or are understaffed, such as nights and weekends.
Collaborators and on-call employees are hired for a particular one-time-only task. They work on an as-needed basis, which means they work whenever the employer needs them and take on whatever shifts they are offered. They will most likely work on-call shifts (e.g., additional staff for a weekend event).
Tip: Discover our Shift sheduling templates for Excel and Google sheets.
It may seem difficult to work in shifts, and in many cases, it is, but shift work has some benefits, too. The main advantages are:
However, we don’t have to forget about the drawbacks of working shifts. Especially night shifts and long hours may be detrimental to employees’ health, morale, and performance. The main disadvantages of working in shifts are:
If your business is in one of the following industries, consider shift work. Analyze its benefits in productivity, market share, and shift work’s impact on costs and employees’ well-being. Also, consider how you’ll manage shifts transparently, look after your staff, provide time tracking and time off management tools, and support a healthy work-life balance.
The industries using shift work are:
If you are thinking about getting one of the following jobs, you should be aware that working in shifts may not be negotiable:
FAQ
Why do employers use different shift schedules?
Employers use different shift schedules to meet the needs of their business or customers. For example, first responders must be on duty 24/7. At the same time, employers vary shift schedules to ensure their employees get enough rest between shifts, are happy with their schedules, are equally and fairly treated, and have a consistent and healthy work schedule.
What is shift work sleep disorder?
Shift work sleep disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that affects people who work mainly at night. By changing their natural sleep patterns, people may have trouble falling or staying asleep, face excessive sleepiness at unwanted hours, develop metabolic health issues, have difficulty concentrating, lack energy, or create an irritable mood.
How long is a work shift?
A work shift can be longer or shorter, depending on the type of worker and activity you need to manage. The standard work shift is eight hours. Part-time workers may have 4-hour shifts or work a full 8-hour day to get the next one off. Night shifts are usually longer, up to 12 hours, to avoid getting to and off work in the middle of the night.
How many breaks are allowed in an 8-hour shift by law?
Each country has its law legislation that establishes how many breaks an employee has to take in an 8-hour shift, how much overtime they can do, how many leave days they are entitled to, and so on. It also depends on the work you do. For some jobs, breaks are mandatory; for others, they aren’t. For example, in the UK, you are entitled to an uninterrupted 20-minute break if you work a shift longer than 6 hours. You are also entitled to 11 hours of rest between shifts.