4-3, Ten Hour, Rotating Shift Schedule | 24/7 Shift Coverage (2024)

The 4-3 Ten Hour Rotating Shift schedule uses 6 teams (crews) and 3 overlapping ten-hour shifts to provide 24/7 coverage. It consists of a 3-week cycle where each team works four consecutive 10-hour first shifts, followed by 3 days off duty, works four consecutive 10-hour third shifts, followed by 3 days off duty, works four consecutive 10-hour second shifts, followed by 3 days off duty. The overlapping shifts provide extra manpower during high activity periods. This plan requires 6 teams (a minimum of 6 employees) with 3 teams on duty and 3 teams off duty at any given day. Employees in all six teams are scheduled to work on the same day, one day a week. This day can be manipulated to fall on any day of the week to cover high activity day or in-service training. Personnel work 40 hours per week.

4-3, Ten Hour, Rotating Shift Schedule | 24/7 Shift Coverage (1)
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Characteristics

Plan IDC6TR10-1
Name4-3 Ten Hour Rotating Shift Schedule
Applicability24/7 operations
Teams Required6
Shifts10-hr
Repeat Cycle21 days
RotationSlow rotation between shifts
Average Hours per Week40
Staffing FluctuationBalanced from shift to shift and day to day
Pluses
  • 40 hour work week with three days off duty
  • All personnel are scheduled to be on duty one day each week
  • Personnel work the same days of the week, every week
Minuses
  • The six hours/day shift overlap could be wasteful on constant workload situations
  • 3 teams have every weekend off duty while the other 3 teams must work every weekend
Common UsageWell suited to the variable workloads confronted by police departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, EMS call centers and dispatchers
Notes
  • Shift start and end times can be set to increase coverage during daily peak periods.
  • The day of the week when all employees are schedule to work can be set when auto-generating employee’s work schedules

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4-3, Ten Hour, Rotating Shift Schedule | 24/7 Shift Coverage (2024)

FAQs

What is a 4 10 work schedule 24-hour coverage? ›

4/10 Schedule: Employees work 10 hours for four days a week and receive three days off each week. 2-2-3 Schedule: It's a rotational cycle of 28 days, where four teams work to provide 24-hour coverage. Each team works two consecutive day shifts, followed by two days off and then three more days of working.

What is a 3 team fixed 24-hour shift schedule 24 7 shift coverage? ›

This is a fixed (no rotation) shift pattern that uses 3 teams working 24-hr shifts to provide 24/7 coverage. Each team repeats the following sequence over a 63 day period: 1 day on, 1 day off, 1 day on, 1 day off, 1 day on, 4 days off.

What is the best shift schedule for 24 7 coverage? ›

The best 24/7 shift patterns with 4 teams can be a traditional 4 on 4 off shift pattern or shorter runs of shifts and shorter breaks, through to variable consecutive shifts and rest days with some longer rest breaks. 4 team 24/7 shift patterns may repeat across 4, 8, 12 or 16 weeks.

What is the 4 on 3 off 10 hour shift pattern? ›

The essence of this pattern involves employees working four consecutive days with ten-hour shifts, followed by a three-day rest period. This cycle is praised for providing a reliable work-to-rest ratio that can lead to improved employee well-being and work-life balance.

What is a 4 3 3 work schedule? ›

The 4-3-3-4 mixed work cycle schedule is a unique arrangement that involves four consecutive workdays followed by three days off, and then repeating the cycle. This pattern provides employees with extended periods off, allowing for increased flexibility and a better work-life balance.

What is an example of a 24 hour schedule? ›

In a 24-hour schedule, teams work 4 consecutive 10-hour shifts, followed by 2 days off, then work 4 consecutive 10-hour third shifts, followed by 3 days off, then work 4 consecutive 10-hour second shifts, with another 3 days off.

What is a 24 7 rotating shift pattern? ›

This pattern typically involves a rotation where each team works in 8-hour shifts. Teams are often scheduled in three sequences (morning, afternoon, night) to cover the entire 24-hour period. It usually operates on a rotating cycle, ensuring that all teams get an equal number of specific shifts.

How do 24 7 shifts work? ›

The 4-on 4-off schedule is one of the most commonly used 24/7 schedules. As the name suggests, employees work for four consecutive days, followed by four consecutive days off. This schedule is often used in industries that require continuous coverage, such as hospitals and public safety.

What is a rotating 24 hour shifts ABC schedule mean? ›

The 24-48 shift pattern (a.k.a. the ABC) uses three teams working 24-hour shifts. In the 24-48 schedule, each team works a three-day cycle that consists of: 24 hours ON. 48 hours OFF.

How many FTE do I need to cover 24/7? ›

Notice that the schedule requires 4.2 FTEs to cover all shifts, 24/7, for 2 weeks. In this example, a combination of full-time and part-time employees are working on the schedule for a total of 7 employees who collectively work the 4.2 FTEs or 336 hours (4.2 FTEs × 80 hours = 336 hours).

What does a 24 7 flexible schedule mean? ›

This flexible schedule allows employees to have an additional day for any activity that affords the employee more work-life balance. In a twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week operation, employees may choose to take Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday off or any three days to meet their desired schedule.

How do I ask for shift coverage? ›

When you ask for coverage, be polite and flexible with your request. Provide all relevant information, such as shift timing and duties, to help your coworker understand the scope of work. Don't forget to thank them in advance for considering your request and assure them that you'll return the favor when needed.

How do 4 10 hour shifts work? ›

A 4/10 work schedule is a shift schedule where employees work four 10 hour shifts in the course of a week. This gives them three days off a week to rest and recover. It's also known as a compressed schedule because a full 40 hour week's compressed into 4 days.

What is a 10 hour rotating shift schedule? ›

It consists of a 3-week cycle where each team works four consecutive 10-hour first shifts, followed by 3 days off duty, works four consecutive 10-hour third shifts, followed by 3 days off duty, works four consecutive 10-hour second shifts, followed by 3 days off duty.

How do you calculate shift schedule? ›

Divide the total number of working hours a day by your chosen shift duration to determine the number of shifts in a day when using the shift length schedule. For example, a day's work schedule can have four-hour, six-hour or eight-hour shifts and therefore have six, four or three shifts per 24-hour day.

How does a 4 10 schedule work? ›

A 4/10 work schedule is a shift schedule where employees work four 10 hour shifts in the course of a week. This gives them three days off a week to rest and recover. It's also known as a compressed schedule because a full 40 hour week's compressed into 4 days.

What is a 4 10 work schedule and holidays? ›

How do holidays work with 4/10 work schedules? In case of the day off in the compressed workweek falls on a holiday the employee needs to use the workday immediately before the holiday as time off.

How many employees do I need to cover 24 7 with 12 hour shifts? ›

Most 12-hour shift schedules for 24/7 coverage use 4 crews. When you divide the hours in a week (168) by 4 crews, you get a average of 42 hours/week.

What are flexible schedules including 4 10 options? ›

Employees who work a 4/10 schedule have increased flexibility with their days off. They can choose to work four consecutive 10-hour days, or work 10 hours one day and have the next day off. This flexibility allows for a better work-life balance.

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