---
layout: default_v3
language: default
permalink: shift-schedules/12-hour-shift-schedule.html
i18n_link: 3545
updated: 2023-01-11
#--- article key-values ---#
collection: default_topiccluster
t_keyword: 12 Hour Shift Schedule
tags: shift schedules, shift work, shift management, shift schedule management, shifts at work, rotating shifts, rotating schedule, shift schedule
type: supporting
page_id: 3545
hreflang_id: 3545
parent_id: 3515
date_published: 2021-04-23
date_modified: 2023-01-11
#--- javascript schema ---#
javascript_schema:
 - script: jquery_3_2_0_min
 - script: bootstrap_min
 - script: article_infinite_scroll
 - script: article_mix_infinitescroll
 - script: article_mix
 - script: article_mix_faq
 - script: article_mix_toc
#--- section schema ---#
section_schema:
 - section: nav-main_menu
 - section: article_body_v2
 - section: footer
 - section: schedule_demo_cta
#--- page key-values ---#
meta_tags:
  t_meta_title: The Advantages and Disadvantages of a 12 Hour Shift Schedule
  t_meta_description: Organizations use a 12 hour shift schedule during the work week to increase productivity and streamline operations. Here is everything to know about a 12 hour shift schedule.
  t_meta_abstract: Organizations use a 12 hour shift schedule during the work week to increase productivity and streamline operations. Here is everything to know about a 12 hour shift schedule.
  i_meta_image: 
article_body:
  json-ld_article:
    v_date_published: 2021-04-23
    v_date_modified: 2023-01-11
  author:
    p_author_id: 203
    t_author: Priyanka Bhadani
    p_author_url: priyanka-bhadani.html
    i_author: 203.png
    t_author_description: Lauren is an experienced writer who enjoys reading, travelling, and spending time with her children.
    p_author_facebook: //www.facebook.com/HubWorksApp
    p_author_twitter: https://twitter.com/HubworksApp
    p_author_linkedin: 
    p_author_instagram: 
  feature_snippet:
    p_type: text
    t_title: 
    t_description: 
  content:
    heading:
      t_title: The Advantages and Disadvantages of a 12 Hour Shift Schedule
      t_description: Organizations use a 12 hour shift schedule during the work week to increase productivity and streamline operations. Here is everything to know about a 12 hour shift schedule.
      image:
        i_image: the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-12-hour-shift-schedule-1618952578-5033.png
        t_image_description: shifts shift hour schedule hours hours hour rotating hour work
        v_image_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/people-transportation-system-street-3181819/
        v_image_license: Creative Commons Zero
      v_video:
    paragraphs:
      - t_headline: Introduction into 12 Hour Shift Schedule
        t_text: Business owners always need to look for new ways to streamline operations. This is particularly true for industries that operate outside the normal 8-5 schedule. It's hard for a restaurant owner to find a way to increase sales at 2 in the morning. A manufacturing company wants to solve chronic absenteeism during the night shift. Little bottlenecks can lead to big problems, especially when market conditions are tough.<br><br>While there are many different ways to decrease absenteeism and optimize productivity, few think of the 12-hour shift schedule as a solution. Over time, more industries are utilizing this type of work schedule to improve business continuity, optimize collaboration, and harness human capital. shift schedule as a solution. Over time, more industries are utilizing this type of work schedule to improve business continuity, optimize collaboration, and harness human capital.
        p_headline_type: h2
        image:
          i_image: 
          t_description: 
          v_attribution: 
          v_license: 
        callout_text:
      - t_headline: Pros and Cons of a 12 Hour Shift Schedule
        t_text: When the average employee hears the words 12-hour shift, they probably shudder. The regular 8-5 schedule drags on long enough, and a twelve-hour day seems like too much to bear. <br><br>While the vast majority of employees are not on this type of work schedule in the United States, some industries require it. Businesses can operate on a 24/7 week long schedule, and longer shifts are critical to maintain operations.<br><br>The healthcare industry, grocery stores, some restaurants, convenience shops, and law enforcement all have employees who work a 12-hour period. While there are several cons to 12-hour shifts, there are also benefits. <br><br>Read ahead to understand the different types of 12-hour shifts and how they impact businesses and employees.
        p_headline_type: h2
        image:
          i_image: 
          t_description: 
          v_attribution: 
          v_license: 
        video:
          v_video: pV8G2BE_ENk
          v_video_language: default
          t_name: Common Myths About 12 Hour Shifts
          t_description: Today we are going over some common myths that I've heard about 12 hour shifts. I love working 12 hour shifts but if you aren't sure they are for you and you've hard some bad stuff about them...well say tuned...maybe they are myths!
          v_url: //youtu.be/pV8G2BE_ENk
          i_thumbnail: //i.ytimg.com/vi/pV8G2BE_ENk/default.jpg
          i_thumbnail_1x1: //i.ytimg.com/vi/pV8G2BE_ENk/default.jpg
          i_thumbnail_4x3: //i.ytimg.com/vi/pV8G2BE_ENk/mqdefault.jpg
          i_thumbnail_16x9: //i.ytimg.com/vi/pV8G2BE_ENk/sddefault.jpg
          v_upload_date: 11-6-2020
          v_length_minutes: 6
          v_length_seconds: 21
          v_view_count: 241
        callout_text:
      - t_headline: 1. Dupont Schedule
        t_text: Employees can work on a four week cycle when on the Dupont Schedule. This requires four night shifts, three consecutive days off, four day shifts, and seven days off. Many employees prefer this option because they receive one week of vacation per month. <br><br>They can spend time with friends and family, or catch up on the sleep they desperately need. However, these work hours impact quality rest, mental health, and physical health. It's also hard to go back to work after a seven day off period.
        p_headline_type: h3
        image:
          i_image: 
          t_description: 
          v_attribution: 
          v_license: 
        callout_text:
           - t_title: What to Know About Rotating Shift Schedules
             t_text: <ul><li>Roughly 2.4% of the workforce is on a rotating schedule<br></li><li>The vast majority of employees prefer clockwise rotation schedules (day-evening-night) if they are on a rotation shift<br></li><li>Many organizations utilize scheduling software to optimize rotation shift schedules<br></li></ul>
      - t_headline: 2. Four on Four Shift Schedules
        t_text: A shift worker is on for four day shifts and four night shifts in a row, and then has four days off. Team members switch back and forth between night and day shifts, according to a set shift pattern. Team members receive a four day break every four days, as well as three consecutive weekends free in a 2 month cycle. <br><br>Unfortunately, there are no set days off per week. This makes it difficult to plan events with family members who work a more regular schedule.
        p_headline_type: h3
        image:
          i_image: 2-four-on-four-shift-schedules-1618952578-9673.png
          t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/architect-building-joy-planning-1080589/
          v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/architect-building-joy-planning-1080589/
          v_license: Creative Commons Zero
        callout_text:
      - t_headline: 3. Pitman Shift Schedule
        t_text: The 2-3-2 schedule, or Pitman shift schedule occurs when employees work for two days on, two days off, three days on, two days off, two days on, and three days off. Employees get to stay home every other weekend and never need to come in for more than three days. <br><br>Many prefer this schedule because of the short time frame that they need to be on-site. It provides much time to rest and recuperate. At the same time, employees have to go back and forth between day shifts and <a href="//zipschedules.com/shift-schedules.html">night shifts</a>. This can interrupt sleep patterns and make it impossible to adjust, since change in the schedule occurs so frequently.
        p_headline_type: h3
        image:
          i_image: 
          t_description: 
          v_attribution: 
          v_license: 
        callout_text:
      - t_headline: 4. Other Advantages and Disadvantages of 12 Hour Shifts
        t_text: An organization covers all areas of operations when they utilize a rotating schedule. Because shifts are longer, employees understand the full-scope of projects. This increases business continuity and improves worker efficiency. It also enables each employee to gain more experience on the job. This improves the quality of customer service and maximizes productivity levels.<br><br>Twelve hours shifts allow businesses to hire fewer people. This can save money and maximize collaboration efforts. Employees must work together to complete tasks and understand how each role impacts every other role. This increases workplace accountability and ensures everyone meets key objectives.<br><br>Rotating shift schedules also make it easier to manage personal time. Employees can handle childcare, appointments, and vacations once they know their rotation shift. This improves employee morale and optimizes the work-life balance.<br><br>On the flip side, 12-hour shifts are tiresome. When employees are on the job longer than usual, they grow fatigued. This increases the number of mistakes, causes internal tensions, and hurts customer service. It is also unsafe to operate heavy equipment when tired. Businesses need to monitor workers who seem overly exhausted at work. A workplace safety issue can be disastrous for both the company and the employee.<br><br>While there are more consecutive days off to spend with family, the quality of time may decrease. Employees are on a strange sleep schedule, and may be too exhausted to be fully present. This can impact family relationships and create tension at home, which also hurts workplace morale. Workers must try to sleep as much as possible and improve time management to ensure they are equipped to handle a twelve hour shift.
        p_headline_type: h3
        image:
          i_image: 4-other-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-12-hour-shifts-1618952578-9221.png
          t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/receptionists-phone-call-hotel-5975962/
          v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/receptionists-phone-call-hotel-5975962/
          v_license: Creative Commons Zero
        callout_text:
           - t_title: What to Know About Sleep Disorders and Work
             t_text: <ul><li>43% of employees don't receive enough sleep <br></li><li>42% of individuals in production dont' receive enough sleep. Health support is right behind at 40%<br></li><li>Sleep deprivation costs the United States economy up to 411 billion in damages per year<br></li></ul>
      - t_headline: Key Takeaways of a 12 Hour Shift
        t_text: In conclusion, here is what to know about a 12-hour shift - <br><br><ul><li>Rotation schedules include the Dupont schedule, Four on Four off shift schedule, and Pitman shift schedule, Companies utilize different shift rotations, depending on business needs and employee requirements. Each comes with its advantages and disadvantages.<br></li><li>12-hour shift benefits include greater continuity, an increase in employee knowledge, and better collaboration. There is also a greater work-life balance because there are more continuous days off.<br></li><li>12-hour shifts can be tiresome and cause workplace fatigue. This can lead to injury, angry outbursts, and depression. Businesses should monitor rotation shift workers to ensure they receive adequate rest.</li></ul>
        p_headline_type: h2
        image:
          i_image: key-takeaways-of-a-12-hour-shift-1618952578-5860.png
          t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/helmet-industrial-security-logistic-1636348/
          v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/helmet-industrial-security-logistic-1636348/
          v_license: Creative Commons Zero
        callout_text:
event_body:
  json-ld_event:
    t_name: Employee Scheduling for Restaurant Managers
    t_description: Attendees will learn how create excellent schedules. The class teaches managers how to estimate the number of employees they need to staff their locations; how to accurately forecast their customer demand; how to quickly and accuaratly write and communicate schedules to employees; and how to evaluate the accuracy and optimization of their schedules to make adjustments.
    v_start_date: 2022-08-08
    i_image: 
    p_location_name: Altametrics Online Webinar Course
    p_address: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics
    v_price: 10.00
    t_offer_description: Priority Registration
    v_registration_url: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics
---
