Every business has unique needs, and the nine-to-five schedule only works for some. Businesses that need 24-hour staffing or have other priorities to address often use shifts to maximize output.
In no particular order, here are the fourteen most popular types of work schedules:
1. Dupont shift schedule
The Dupont shift schedule is a popular choice for police stations, health care facilities, and other establishments that run 24/7. In this schedule, you have four different teams working two 12-hour shifts. Day and night shifts are set on a four-week rotation cycle. Over four weeks, employees on a Dupont schedule will work as follows:
Four night shifts
Three days off
Three day shifts
One day off
Three night shifts
Three days off
Four day shifts
Seven days off
This work schedule allows employees to work over the standard 40 hours for some weeks, which may create overtime costs. However, employees can look forward to the guaranteed seven days off after a complete cycle.
2. 2-2-3 shift schedule
Another popular option for industries that provide 24/7 staffing is the 2-2-3 schedule. This method utilizes a slow, 28-day rotation cycle where each employee works 12-hour shifts each day. A typical schedule involving four teams works as follows:
Two day shifts
Two days off
Three day shifts
In many cases, teams work either a day shift or a night shift instead of switching between those two options. This provides clarity and regularity in their schedule.
Employees on a 2-2-3 schedule work only 180 days a year and will only have up to three workdays consecutively. Plus, your employees also get 3-day weekends every other week.
3. 4-10 shift schedule
Three-day weekend lovers rejoice! The 4-10 schedule is a way to provide 40 hours of work in a four-day workweek. As the name suggests, employees will work four 10-hour days and take Friday off.
Some people may find 10-hour days a bit grueling, but at least employees keep their full-time status by clocking 80 hours every two weeks. The extra day off is good for work-life balance and helps to offset any potential for burnout.
4. 9-80 shift schedule
As the name suggests, employees working a 9-80 schedule complete 80 hours of work in just nine days. This is one style of compressed schedule. Like the 4-10 schedule, this allows them an extra day off — but only every other week.
The goal of the 9-80 schedule is to keep employees working less than 10 hours a day. That said, some days are longer than others. Here’s how it breaks down:
Week 1: Employees will work a full five-day week. The first four days will be nine hours. That Friday, they’ll work an eight-hour day.
Week 2: Employees will work the same four nine-hour days and take Friday off.
Employees get the weekends off, which maintains the feeling of a traditional work schedule.
5. Flexible schedules
Also known as flextime or a flex work schedule, this option is less rigid than a fixed schedule. The employer and employees work together to define the number of hours and days an employee works.
Employers can set the minimum number of work hours expected, but shifts may vary to fulfill business needs and provide a work-life balance.
In many cases, teams work asynchronously, and team members can move around hours at different times or even on additional days of the week as needed.
Flex scheduling gives employees a better work-life balance for job satisfaction and happiness. In-office businesses also offer approvals for remote work.
6. Full-time
A full-time work schedule means employees work between eight and 10 hours a day — from the standard 40 to a high of 50 hours weekly.
Considering their long hours, full-time employees usually collect various benefits from their place of business. These often include health insurance, sick days, and retirement options.
Most full-time schedules involve the same shift each day. Shifts can vary, but employees usually average around 34 to 40 hours weekly.
Non-exempt, full-time employees receive overtime pay when they work over 40 hours. While they often make more, salaried team members are exempt and ineligible for overtime.
7. Part-time schedule
Part-time employee work schedules don’t meet a location’s requirement for a full-time employee. In the US, the employee has 30 or fewer guaranteed hours each week. Their work schedule may periodically expand to include more or even overtime hours.
But, part-time employees must work fewer hours than full-time employees and usually make less. That said, there’s more flexibility with part-time work. Some businesses offer part-time work over the weekends instead of during the typical workweek.
Unfortunately, part-time schedules have some downsides, even if built with employee scheduling software.
First, part-time employees won’t have the same access to retirement, health care, and other benefits as full-time employees. Secondly, the working hours may be inconsistent in some industries. For example, part-time work may only be available during the holiday season in retail.
8. Split shifts
The split shift is an alternate work schedule agreement that allows employees to break their day into multiple shifts. They’ll have different work hours but not necessarily fewer hours compared to traditional full-time employees.
For example, split-shift employees may come in from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
There is a substantial break between the shifts, but employees still cover their eight hours daily. When utilizing split shift schedules, you must be aware of state labor laws for your area, which may require a certain number of hours between shifts.
An excellent example of a split shift position is the school bus driver working a few hours in the morning to take kids to school and a few in the afternoon taking the kids home. Working parents may also use split shifts to pick up their children from school.
9. Rotating shift schedule
If you run a 24/7 establishment, the rotating shift work schedule is an excellent option that cycles employees through the day, swing, and night shifts. This distribution between employees ensures no one works less desirable hours each shift.
An example of a rotating shift work schedule would be one where an employee:
Works the day shift one week
Works the swing shift the following week
Works the night shift the third week
If rotating shift work schedules are the optimal work schedule for your business, look for ways to support these team members. Ensure they have breaks, PTO time, and benefits for a good work-life balance.
Sometimes, employers combine split shifts and rotating shifts to create work schedules that provide longer employee breaks with consistent coverage.
10. On-call schedules
On-call employees agree to work as the employer demands. Most on-call staff receive compensation beyond work hours because they have no guaranteed time off.
Employees rotate on-call responsibilities to ensure that one person is not always working.
Employers use this employee schedule to prepare for staffing emergencies or non-predictable work scenarios. Physicians, for example, have one on-call day a month for emergencies.
11. Compressed work schedule
Compressed schedules allow employees to reach their required full-time hours in only four days. Under a compressed schedule, employees typically work ten hours daily for four days. Although daily shifts are longer, the employee enjoys three days off every week.
The core difference between a compressed schedule and a 4-10 shift schedule is that compressed schedules aren’t restricted to weekdays. That said, compressed schedules should be fixed schedules when possible for the health and well-being of team members.
12. Irregular shift schedule
An irregular shift schedule is just that: irregular.
Under this work schedule type, employees' work hours and days off change weekly. Days and hours scheduled will likely vary based on business needs, seasonal workload, and employee obligations outside of work. Fast food companies and many chain restaurants will use this type of schedule.
With the rise of asynchronous work, many companies are experimenting with flexible hours or even an irregular work schedule.
13. Freelance schedule
Freelance work schedules are used for contract or freelance employees. These employees typically have no set schedule and work until their projects are complete.
In some areas, governments prohibit companies from dictating when or where a freelancer works.
14. Seasonal schedule
Businesses use a seasonal work schedule when they require employees for only part of the year — for example, snow plow operators, lifeguards, or holiday entertainers.
Seasonal workers may have any of the other shifts mentioned above for their week, but they do not get the guarantee of long-term employment. Usually, seasonal workers have set end dates, but these can change at any moment.
Honorable mention: Overtime schedules
In an overtime work schedule, employees work overtime hours that exceed their regular working hours. Companies must pay an overtime rate, which is usually one and a half times the typical hourly wage. Sometimes, overtime rates can be double the standard rate.
Overtime schedules are added onto other types of work schedules, so we’re not counting them separately. However, we feel it’s worth mentioning because of how much overtime impacts work, employee engagement, and burnout risks.
