Schichtbasis

Schichtbasis is a term used in workforce scheduling to describe the foundational pattern or template of work shifts that underpins a shift plan. It defines how shifts are allocated across a cycle, which employees are assigned to which shifts, and the baseline staffing levels that are intended to be maintained. The Schichtbasis serves as the starting point for scheduling and is often encoded in HR systems or production planning software.

A Schichtbasis can be implemented as fixed or rotating. Key components typically include the number of shifts per day, the start and end times of each shift, the length of each shift, the cycle length (for example weekly or biweekly), and the rules for break periods, overtime, and rest days. It may also specify rotation direction, frequency, and coverage requirements for weekends and holidays. The choice of basis influences workload distribution, overtime risk, and employee fatigue.

In practice, Schichtbasis is used across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and service delivery to support staffing, capacity planning, and compliance with labor regulations. It interacts with legal frameworks and collective agreements, particularly regarding maximum hours, night work, and minimum rest periods, as well as with organizational policies on fairness and transparency.

An example is a three-shift system with day, evening, and night shifts, each lasting eight hours, where the same base pattern rotates every week. Such a basis ensures continuous coverage while enabling systematic rotation and payroll calculations. The Schichtbasis is a core input for creating detailed shift plans (Schichtplan) and for evaluating staffing efficiency and employee well-being.