7 Day 24 Hour Schedules

**Babylon** · 5th December 2009 11:18 AM

Our company is finalizing an aquisition that will bring in an additional 35% of our overall current volume. In order for us to absorb this much we must become a 24 hour 7 day operation. I have been tasked to create an entire new schedule that will minimize OT and maximize our capacity.

Anybody here have any suggestions or templates of this type of schedule that maybe your companys practice or used to practice..? So far I'm looking at a schedule that would require 4 shifts of personel working 3, 12hr days one week and 4, 12 hr days the next and would repeat every other week with the alternating day on a Sunday.

This is a shot in the dark, but I figure this is a very diverse crowd and may have a lot of different perspectives and experiences to draw from, or this could be the only post in this thread. Either way I figured I'd throw it out there. Thanks all..!

**boontito** · 5th December 2009 11:52 AM

[quote name='Babylon' date='05 December 2009 - 10:18 AM' timestamp='1260037083' post='73486']

Our company is finalizing an aquisition that will bring in an additional 35% of our overall current volume. In order for us to absorb this much we must become a 24 hour 7 day operation. I have been tasked to create an entire new schedule that will minimize OT and maximize our capacity.

Anybody here have any suggestions or templates of this type of schedule that maybe your companys practice or used to practice..? So far I'm looking at a schedule that would require 4 shifts of personel working 3, 12hr days one week and 4, 12 hr days the next and would repeat every other week with the alternating day on a Sunday.

This is a shot in the dark, but I figure this is a very diverse crowd and may have a lot of different perspectives and experiences to draw from, or this could be the only post in this thread. Either way I figured I'd throw it out there. Thanks all..!

[/quote]

The three/four 12 hour shifts is a good idea. Some employees won't like it but others will love it. From a management perspective, it usually works good unless you have employees that either because of the duties being performed or other factors can't handle the 12 hour shifts. Most end up really appreciating the extra day off every other week.

There are other options available, but most mean you may have to go with some part time positions just to fill up the hours and in some business models that's not a great option or there isn't a lot of trained people in the field willing to work part time.

**Babylon** · 5th December 2009 11:58 AM

[quote name='boontito' date='05 December 2009 - 01:52 PM' timestamp='1260039179' post='73507']

The three/four 12 hour shifts is a good idea. Some employees won't like it but others will love it. From a management perspective, it usually works good unless you have employees that either because of the duties being performed or other factors can't handle the 12 hour shifts. Most end up really appreciating the extra day off every other week.

There are other options available, but most mean you may have to go with some part time positions just to fill up the hours and in some business models that's not a great option or there isn't a lot of trained people in the field willing to work part time.

[/quote]

Thank you for the response an I agree this schedule has it's share of potential positives for the employees such as the extra days off and built in OT. I'm a bit concerned about staffing the Sundays as I'm sure that will be a deal breaker for some. But good call on openng up some P/T positions to possibly absorb some of those potential gaps. Maybe I could get in contact with the local Commmunity colleges and do some postings there..?

College kids do still work don't they..?

**boontito** · 5th December 2009 12:01 PM

[quote name='Babylon' date='05 December 2009 - 10:58 AM' timestamp='1260039528' post='73509']College kids do still work don't they..?

[/quote]

Other than online? Not sure.

**nomadrider** · 9th December 2009 02:19 PM

[quote name='Babylon' date='05 December 2009 - 01:18 PM' timestamp='1260037083' post='73486']

Our company is finalizing an aquisition that will bring in an additional 35% of our overall current volume. In order for us to absorb this much we must become a 24 hour 7 day operation. I have been tasked to create an entire new schedule that will minimize OT and maximize our capacity.

Anybody here have any suggestions or templates of this type of schedule that maybe your companys practice or used to practice..? So far I'm looking at a schedule that would require 4 shifts of personel working 3, 12hr days one week and 4, 12 hr days the next and would repeat every other week with the alternating day on a Sunday.

This is a shot in the dark, but I figure this is a very diverse crowd and may have a lot of different perspectives and experiences to draw from, or this could be the only post in this thread. Either way I figured I'd throw it out there. Thanks all..!

[/quote]

I worked a 12 hr shift years ago (temp assignment) and nearly caused a major accident on the freeway driving home at 6AM trying to stay awake. I would stay away from that 12hr shifts if at all possible. Also, worked a 10 hr shift with every Friday off. Friday usually turned out to be an r&r day, but loved those 3 day weekends.

**Amit** · 9th December 2009 03:35 PM

I would stick to 9 hour shifts with one hour of overlap. I paid my guys hourly. Gave more money for 2nd and 3rd shifts. Depending on the people you hire will depend on the schedule. The easiest way for me (you may differ) was having all the same first shifters and having 2nd and 3rd trading off, but depending on the type of work that might be hard. I gave more $$$ for the weekends as well.

College kids are good for 2nd shift but almost impossible to find for 3rd.

**Sparta** · 9th December 2009 03:45 PM

6-8 Employee "a" gets one day brining his total to 34 hours. Employee "b" gets 2 days bringing his total to 28 hours.

8-4 Employee "a" gets 4 days = 32 hours. Employee "b" gets 3 days = 24 hours

4-12 Employee "c" gets 4 days = 32 hours. Employee "d" gets 3 days =24 hours.

12-6 See above.

I operate a 24/7 and this is my schedule. Employees "b", "d", and "f" are left with only 28 hours leaving you with three options for an additional two shifts per employee before you get in to an over time situation. I don't know if this will work for you, my schedule is designed to keep employees at less than full time status.

**Bourne** · 9th December 2009 03:48 PM

We use a base Monday-Friday work week which is flexible for the PAs and MDs, 8.5 hour day, unpaid .5 lunch period, and revolving after hours and weekend call time.

**Sparta** · 9th December 2009 03:48 PM

I forgot to fill in 4 6-8 shifts, but you can figure it from there using the available people.

**metheron** · 9th December 2009 03:51 PM

[quote name='Babylon' date='05 December 2009 - 01:18 PM' timestamp='1260037083' post='73486']

Our company is finalizing an aquisition that will bring in an additional 35% of our overall current volume. In order for us to absorb this much we must become a 24 hour 7 day operation. I have been tasked to create an entire new schedule that will minimize OT and maximize our capacity.

Anybody here have any suggestions or templates of this type of schedule that maybe your companys practice or used to practice..? So far I'm looking at a schedule that would require 4 shifts of personel working 3, 12hr days one week and 4, 12 hr days the next and would repeat every other week with the alternating day on a Sunday.

This is a shot in the dark, but I figure this is a very diverse crowd and may have a lot of different perspectives and experiences to draw from, or this could be the only post in this thread. Either way I figured I'd throw it out there. Thanks all..!

[/quote]

I don't know how many shifts you have, but here is a shift we used to work. We had four operating teams. My team would start on Friday nights and work four twelve hour shifts(Friday thru Monday night. We were then off three days and worked 12 hour day shifts Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We then had Monday off and worked three nights shifts Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We then had the weekend off and worked the following four day shifts Monday through Thursday. After that Thursday day shift we then had seven straight days off without using any vacation time. It was built in. We then came back starting again on Friday night.

Our pay periods start on Monday and end on Sunday so we worked 48 hours one week and 36 the next. I don't know if that minimizes overtime or not.

The schedule was hectic, but with 14 of every 28 days off including seven days in a row, there were no complaints.

If interested and want to know more I would be glad to share.