Shifts

Shifts are designated periods of work within a schedule that determine when employees begin and end their duties. In operations that run around the clock, shifts enable coverage across the 24-hour day. Common shift types include the day or first shift, the afternoon or second shift, and the night or third shift. Many organizations use rotating shifts, which switch workers between time blocks on a regular cycle, and split shifts, where a day is divided into two separate work blocks with a long break in between. Shift schedules may be fixed, changing only when staffing requires, or rotating, which spreads different hours among staff. Employers may offer shift differentials to compensate for less desirable hours.

Scheduling shifts involves balancing coverage, labor costs, and worker well-being. Policies often include minimum rest periods between shifts and limits on consecutive night work. Legal frameworks and collective agreements may set maximum weekly hours, rest requirements, overtime rules, and notice periods. Shifts are especially common in manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, and public safety, where continuous or high-demand operations are necessary.

The use of shift work can affect health and social life by altering sleep patterns and circadian rhythms, with potential fatigue and long-term health impacts. Mitigation strategies include forward-rotating schedules (shifting earlier to later), adequate rest between shifts, light exposure management, and planned break times. The term shift also has meanings in other fields, such as computing or genetics, where it denotes different concepts.