the ten (10) hour shift

Employees working shift work rank shift schedules using 10-hour shifts higher than any every other shift length!

Many shift workers would prefer to work 10-hour shifts if they had the opportunity. Implementing a 10-hour schedule in the wrong environment can have a significant adverse impact on operations. If we were to be limited to one recommendation we would say that the workforce MUST be totally involved in the process in a very active and not token way.

Ten-hour shifts offer the workforce the benefit of working four (4) day each week with three consecutive days off. If rotation principles are included in the design then three day weekends become available to all employees more frequently than otherwise possible. The trade-off between the 10-hour day and the extra day off each week is often viewed as a net gain for the workers on the schedule.

There are several very popular 10-hour shift patterns. Choosing the right one for your operations depends upon your needs and the preferences of your workforce. Hatrak Associates, a leader in innovative ten (10) hour shift designs, can help you and your workforce select the right one for your organization. Contact Hatrak at .

The following are several options possible:

5-day coverage, single shift, rotating days off

The example below uses five employees to cover 5 days a week. Each day has 4 of the 5 employees at work. Each employee starts in a different week. At the end of each week, everyone rotates to the next week in the cycle.

WEEK / MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY / SATURDAY / SUNDAY
1 / D10 / D10 / D10 / D10 / -- / -- / --
2 / -- / D10 / D10 / D10 / D10 / -- / --
3 / D10 / -- / D10 / D10 / D10 / -- / --
4 / D10 / D10 / -- / D10 / D10 / -- / --
5 / D10 / D10 / D10 / -- / D10 / -- / --

6-day coverage, two shifts, rotating days off, rotating and fixed shifts

The example below uses three crews (A, B and C) to cover two shifts, six days a week. Crew A will always be on day shift. Crew B will always be on the evening shift. Crew C will rotate between the two shifts.

WEEK / MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY / SATURDAY / SUNDAY
1 / D10 / D10 / D10 / D10 / -- / -- / --
2 / -- / -- / E10 / E10 / E10 / E10 / --
3 / E10 / E10 / -- / -- / D10 / D10 / --

7-day coverage, one shift, rotating days off

The example above uses seven employees to cover 7 days a week. Each day has 4 of the 7 employees working. Each employee starts in a different week. At the end of each week, everyone rotates to the next week in the cycle.

WEEK / MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY / SATURDAY / SUNDAY
1 / D10 / D10 / D10 / D10 / -- / -- / --
2 / -- / D10 / D10 / D10 / D10 / -- / --
3 / -- / -- / D10 / D10 / D10 / D10 / --
4 / -- / -- / -- / D10 / D10 / D10 / D10
5 / D10 / -- / -- / -- / D10 / D10 / D10
6 / D10 / D10 / -- / -- / -- / D10 / D10
7 / D10 / D10 / D10 / -- / -- / -- / D10