avonddienst

Avonddienst is a Dutch term that describes a work shift or duty period that takes place during the evening, outside standard daytime hours. It is used in sectors that require coverage beyond normal office times, such as healthcare (hospitals, nursing homes), after-hours medical services, police and emergency services, retail, hospitality, transport, and manufacturing.

The exact hours of an avonddienst vary by sector, employer, and collective agreements. Common blocks run from late afternoon to the evening, for example roughly 16:00–23:00, and some rosters extend further into the night or are split into two evening parts. On-call arrangements can also be described as avonddienst, where staff remain available outside regular hours.

Avonddienst serves to ensure continuous service and coverage across the 24/7 cycle. It can affect compensation, overtime rules, shift allowances, rest periods, and rostering. Work schedules for avonddienst are typically established through contracts, collective agreements, and local regulations, and may involve rotating rosters or fixed evening shifts.

Note: In Dutch, the term avonddienst (usually written as one word) is also used to refer to an evening church service. In employment contexts, avonddienst specifically denotes the evening work shift, with spelling variations arising from regional or institutional practices.