What are normal shift patterns?
Regular 4-on 4 off:
This is a classic continuous working pattern based on 12 hour shifts. Participants work for four consecutive 12-hour days, followed by four consecutive days off, then four consecutive 12-hour nights, followed by four consecutive days off, then four more days and so on.
- Be honest. Consider your specific situation and if you will be able to handle a shifting schedule or going into work on nights and weekends. If there are times when you are unavailable to work, mention it.
- Show your comfort with shift work. If you are OK with shift work, show it in your response.
Eight-hour shifts (a.m., p.m., or overnight) on a fixed or rotating schedule. Four 10-hour shifts followed by three days off. Several 12-hour shifts followed by several days off.
The system involves four (4) shifts on, five (5) off followed by five (5) shifts on, four (4) shifts off followed by five (5) shifts on, five (5) shifts off, on a continuing basis.
The 5-3, 5-4, 5-3, 10-hour, rotation Shift Pattern provides 24-hour coverage. This pattern is made up of 5 teams (or crews) and 3 overlapping 10-hour Shift Durations. This shift pattern occurs on a 25-day cycle, in which teams work for a total of 15 days, with a total of 10 days off.
The most popular shift pattern still tends to be the Monday to Friday full-time shift. But this could vary from business to business. If you have a young team, you might find them preferring a full-time compressed shift.
First shift positions typically work during regular business hours. Generally, employees who work first shift hours start work at or after 7:00 a.m. and leave at or before 5:00 p.m. Common first shift work hours include 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
5/5/4 rotating schedule
The 5/5/4 rotating schedule uses five teams of employees and three overlapping ten-hour shifts to operate 24/7. This system uses a 25-day cycle. For example, Team A works five consecutive 10-hour first shifts, followed by three days off.
In this pattern, employees work 5 out of 7 days, and each employee has a different two days off. This can be run as a two- or three- week cycle.
A work period of eight consecutive hours over five days with at least eight hours of rest in between shifts defines a standard shift. Any shift that goes beyond this standard is considered to be extended or unusual.