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What is a Rotating Shift?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A rotating shift is a work schedule where people move through a cycle of working during day, swing, and night shifts. The goal of this schedule is to distribute the stress of the least desirable swing and night shifts across a workforce. Some workplaces prefer a fixed shift schedule where people work the same shift on a consistent schedule, while others may rotate shifts so that no one is stuck with the least desirable ones all the time. There are some health risks to such schedules that must be balanced when developing them.

In a simple example of a rotating shift schedule, an employee might spend five days working days, take three days off, spend four days working swing shifts, take three days off, spend four days working nights, take four days off, and then repeat the schedule. Rotating schedules are often used in facilities that require 24-hour employee coverage, such as factories, power plants, and hospitals. They can be structured in a number of different ways, and a version is also seen on ships while they are at sea.

A rotating shift allows workers to work various shifts, in an attempt to distribute the least desirable shifts evenly.
A rotating shift allows workers to work various shifts, in an attempt to distribute the least desirable shifts evenly.

For the employee, transitioning between schedules on a rotating shift can be stressful. People tend to get less sleep, and this can contribute to the development of health problems, particularly digestive problems. Setting a schedule and sticking to it can help people manage the transition between shift schedules, but not all employees are able to do this.

Students who go to college part time are ideal people for rotating shift work because they don't have a permanent class schedule.
Students who go to college part time are ideal people for rotating shift work because they don't have a permanent class schedule.

One advantage to a rotating schedule is that it can provide people with opportunities to do errands, spend time with friends and family, and engage in other activities that might be challenging on a fixed shift. For example, someone who works nights all the time on a fixed shift would not be very active during the day. He might find it hard to complete many tasks that require being awake during the daytime, such as shopping at businesses that are not open in the evenings.

A rotating schedule may allow people with opportunities to spend time with friends and family.
A rotating schedule may allow people with opportunities to spend time with friends and family.

When employers establish schedules, they must weigh their needs, employee preferences, and health concerns. It may be possible to adjust a rotating shift schedule for an employee who has difficulty with it. Employees are also sometimes permitted to trade shifts with each other to design a schedule that meets their needs or if they need to be free on specific days. Supervisor approval may be required for a shift swap, especially if it would have the effect of putting an employee into overtime in a given week.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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Discussion Comments

anon128270

My boyfriend took a job where he works a rotating shift schedule and he is having much difficulty acclimating himself to it.

He has been working the rotating shift for three months now. He works seven nights on and then four days off, four days on then two days off, and five swings on then two days off? Any recommendations on how he can adjust to the intense schedule?

anon105639

Thanks for the info. I was considering a job position until I saw a "rotating shift" requirement. With kids in daycare, that's out of the question.

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    • A rotating shift allows workers to work various shifts, in an attempt to distribute the least desirable shifts evenly.
      By: michaeljung
      A rotating shift allows workers to work various shifts, in an attempt to distribute the least desirable shifts evenly.
    • Students who go to college part time are ideal people for rotating shift work because they don't have a permanent class schedule.
      By: Syda Productions
      Students who go to college part time are ideal people for rotating shift work because they don't have a permanent class schedule.
    • A rotating schedule may allow people with opportunities to spend time with friends and family.
      By: tomas del amo
      A rotating schedule may allow people with opportunities to spend time with friends and family.
    • Rotating schedules are often used in hospitals.
      By: Sam Spiro
      Rotating schedules are often used in hospitals.
    • A rotating shift can be very stressful for some individuals.
      By: auremar
      A rotating shift can be very stressful for some individuals.