Shift pattern ideas.

[stecee]

I work for a multinational distribution company on a contract for a well known food retailer. The volume we handle is being increased by over 100% in the next few months and the management want to change our current shift pattern.
The operation is 24/7 and management are open to suggestions on the new pattern. The shifts are fixed, meaning we work only 6am-2pm, 2pm-10pm or 10pm-6am nights. We have 6 teams on each shift, though this is flexible.
Does anyone work in a similar operation, if so what is your shift pattern? Or does anyone have any suggestions, management seem reluctant to bring in a 4 on 4 off pattern.

[alp1972]

We used to work 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7am but happily we now work 12hr shifts 7-7 , 4 or 5 days on then 4 or 5 days off , much better and the majority seem to prefer it

[dizzymcfarlane]

We are about to change to 2/2/2. 2 days 7-4, 2 days 2-midnight, 2 days 10pm-7am then 4 off. Not sure about it but others who do it love it.

[Pieces]

I do 7-4 for 5 days a week.
Way too long. Used to be 6 until 2 which was much better, still had the afternoon to relax and do anything I needed to.

[Charl_bb]

The best for health and adopted now by many police forces is 2 earlies, 2 lates, 2 nights, 4 off (first day off being the day coming off nights). It allows your body to adjust gently rather than big changes every few days. 7-3, 12-10, 10-7.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by Charl_bb

The best for health and adopted now by many police forces is 2 earlies, 2 lates, 2 nights, 4 off (first day off being the day coming off nights). It allows your body to adjust gently rather than big changes every few days. 7-3, 12-10, 10-7.

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My Son is a Police Officer and works a variation of this but the hours are different:-
7am - 4pm mornings or 7am - 5pm mornings
3pm - 11pm afternoons but on Fri & Sat its 5pm - 4am
10pm - 7am nights.

The down side is you finish the week at 7.00am and sleep on your rest day.

The best for workers seems to be 4 on 4 off. Not so good for the business though

[myvot]

My husband works for the fire service and hes 2 day shifts - 8am till 6pm and 2 night shifts 6pm till 8am (if your shift falls on a sunday you would start or finish at 10am rather than 8am). Then its 4 days off but like others you finish at 8am on your first day off.

[Charl_bb]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

My Son is a Police Officer and works a variation of this but the hours are different:-
7am - 4pm mornings or 7am - 5pm mornings
3pm - 11pm afternoons but on Fri & Sat its 5pm - 4am
10pm - 7am nights.

The down side is you finish the week at 7.00am and sleep on your rest day.

The best for workers seems to be 4 on 4 off. Not so good for the business though

See more...

Yes the police force I'm familiar with is very very similar to this. Didn't think distribution would need extra cover on weekend evenings though so suggested the basic shift pattern. It's a bit rubbish to sleep on the first day off but much better than the old shifts of 4 earlies, 3 off, 4 lates, 3 off, 4 nights, 3 off.

[ChoppyGirl]

Years ago I worked at a distribution centre which was 24/7 with a carousel and chill department in addition to the main one.

We had loads of different shifts but they sound similar to yours.

There was: Monday to Friday
6-2
2-10
10-6
22-6

Tuesday - Saturday
6-2
2-10

Sunday - Thursday
6-2
2-10

Weekend Days
6-18 Friday, Saturday and Sunday with an 8 hour day shift every other Thursday or Monday

Weekend Nights
18-6 Friday, Saturday and Sunday with an 8 hour night shift every other Thursday or Monday

[Stitch & Smudge]

This is my shift pattern. In case you’re wondering it’s 12hrs but I don’t know if that’s an option for you. Gives plenty of days off though. I’m on the shift that’s a bit clearer in case you’re wondering why ones a different colour from the rest.

Edit to add I get 5 days holiday on this pattern over and above my rostered days off.