24-hour shift pattern

There’s no rest for the wicked in some lines of work, which is why some industries use 24-hour shift patterns to make sure there’s cover around the clock. Here’s everything you need to know about 24-hour shift patterns.

What is a 24-hour shift pattern?

As the name suggests, a 24-hour shift pattern is a system that has work scheduled 24 hours a day to provide continuous staffing and service.

This means that employees work in shifts that cover all parts of the day, generally divided into blocks of time to make sure there’s always someone on duty.

Common shift lengths for this pattern are:

• 12-hour shifts, with employees rotating between day and night shifts
• 8-hour shifts, generally split into morning, afternoon and night shifts
• 24-hour shifts, with employees getting extended time off between shifts

The 24-hour shift pattern is usually found in healthcare, the emergency services or manufacturing, but some hospitality and retail businesses might also see the benefits.

Why use a 24-hour shift pattern?

There are plenty of reasons why a business might want to use a 24-hour shift pattern. And though it may seem tough, there are benefits for employees too.

Continuous coverage

In industries where downtime is not an option, like hospitals, power plants, and security to name just a few, this system makes sure essential work is always being covered.

Efficiency

It sounds obvious, but this system gives you more hours of work during the day. Rather than the traditional 9-5, the work doesn’t have to stop when an employee finishes their shift.

Employee flexibility

Shifts within this pattern can of course be demanding, but they also offer flexibility. Someone working 12-hour shifts may get more days off per week to focus on other things.

Matching demand

24-hour shifts mean that teams can respond quickly to peaks in demand, such as evenings or weekends - absolutely vital if you’re a retail or call centre business.

Types of 24-hour shift pattern

We’ve already looked at the different lengths of shifts that might go into a 24-hour work schedule, but there are plenty of other popular shift pattern options.

The 4-on-4-off shift pattern

This is a rotating shift pattern where employees work four days in a row and then have four days off. Generally shifts last 12 hours, and workers alternate between day and night shifts.

The 2-2-3 shift pattern

Also known as the Panama shift pattern, in this system employees work for two consecutive days, then have two days off, and then three days on. The cycle continues, ensuring continuous 24-hour coverage, often with 12-hour shifts.

The continental shift pattern

Often used in industries with high demand, the continental shift pattern involves employees working four days followed by four days off, typically doing 12-hour shifts.

The 5-3 shift pattern

An option most people would jump at, the 5-3 shift pattern gives you five days of work followed by a long weekend of 3 days off. Shifts can be 8 or 12 hours, depending on the industry.

The challenges of a 24-hour shift pattern

Of course, there can be drawbacks with this type of shift pattern. Employee fatigue can set in, leading to chronic tiredness, reduced cognitive function, and an increased risk of accidents and errors.

Concentration levels can also take a hit and employees can struggle to perform at their best, leading to a drop in quality, productivity and even safety.

Read more: How to handle an unhappy employee

The impact on people’s work/life balance can also be a factor, as constantly changing shift patterns can make it difficult to plan personal activities, maintain relationships and see friends and family. This can ultimately lead to staff leaving the business - or the industry altogether.

Start creating shifts that work for everyone

The best shift patterns are the ones that work for everyone - employers, managers and staff. To get a hand creating your perfect shift pattern, try Planday for free.