Shift Pattern Types

The named schedule patterns that are the direct subject of the buyer's scheduling decision. Each pattern has distinct implications for timekeeping rules, overtime exposure and payroll complexity.

Fixed Shift

A fixed shift is a work schedule in which an employee works the same start time, end time and days every week without rotation. It is the simplest schedule type to administer and produces the most predictable timekeeping data for payroll.

Also known as: static shift, permanent shift

Typical fixed shifts are first shift (6 AM to 2 PM), second shift (2 PM to 10 PM) and third shift (10 PM to 6 AM).

Rotating Shift Schedule

A rotating shift schedule is a work arrangement in which employees cycle through different shift times on a defined repeating pattern. Rotation distributes unsociable hours equitably and ensures all shifts are staffed by experienced workers.

Also known as: rotating roster, shift rotation

A common rotation example is a 3-week cycle: week 1 days, week 2 evenings, week 3 nights. EasyClocking by WorkEasy Software automates rotation sequencing so managers do not manually rebuild rotating schedules each cycle.

Split Shift

A split shift is a daily work schedule divided into two or more separate work periods with a significant unpaid gap between them. Split shifts are common in food service and transit, where demand peaks in the morning and evening.

Also known as: broken shift

California requires a split shift premium equal to one hour at minimum wage when the gap exceeds a standard meal break.

Compressed Workweek

A compressed workweek is a schedule in which an employee works full weekly hours in fewer than five days, most commonly four 10-hour days (4/10) or three 12-hour days. It reduces commute frequency while maintaining total hours and can affect daily overtime calculations.

Also known as: compressed schedule, 4/10 schedule

The 4/10 schedule is the most widely adopted compressed workweek format in U.S. manufacturing and public safety.

DuPont Shift Pattern

The DuPont shift pattern is a four-crew, 12-hour rotating schedule designed for 24/7 continuous operations, cycling through day and night shifts with built-in rest periods over a 28-day repeating block. It was developed by DuPont Corporation for process manufacturing.

Also known as: DuPont schedule, DuPont rotation

The DuPont pattern gives each employee every other weekend off and averages 42 hours per week over the 28-day cycle.

Two-Shift Schedule

A two-shift schedule divides a 16-hour operating day into two consecutive shifts, each staffed by a separate crew. It is the most common structure for businesses that operate beyond standard hours but do not require overnight coverage.

Also known as: double shift, two-shift operation

A standard two-shift split is 6 AM to 2 PM (first shift) and 2 PM to 10 PM (second shift).

Three-Shift Schedule

A three-shift schedule divides a 24-hour operating day into three consecutive 8-hour shifts staffed by separate crews to maintain continuous production or service. It is the standard structure for hospitals, manufacturing plants and logistics hubs requiring round-the-clock coverage.

Also known as: triple shift, three-shift operation, continental shift

A standard three-shift split is 7 AM to 3 PM, 3 PM to 11 PM and 11 PM to 7 AM.

Timekeeping and Compliance Rules

The rules governing how worked time is captured, classified and validated. These terms form the bridge between schedule design and payroll accuracy.

Break Rule

A break rule is a timekeeping policy that defines the type (paid or unpaid), minimum duration and required frequency of rest and meal periods for a given shift length. Break rules are set by federal law, state law or collective bargaining agreement.

Also known as: meal and rest rule, break policy

Federal FLSA requires that breaks under 20 minutes be paid; meal periods of 30 or more minutes may be unpaid if the employee is fully relieved. EasyClocking by WorkEasy Software embeds break rules into shift templates so violations are flagged automatically before they reach payroll.

Overtime Threshold

An overtime threshold is the hour limit beyond which additional hours worked must be compensated at a premium rate. Under the federal FLSA, the threshold is 40 hours in a workweek; some states apply daily thresholds such as 8 hours per day in California.

Also known as: OT threshold, overtime limit

EasyClocking by WorkEasy Software calculates overtime against both weekly and daily thresholds simultaneously, flagging projected overages before a shift is approved.

Schedule Adherence

Schedule adherence is the percentage of scheduled shifts that employees work as planned, starting on time, completing the full shift and taking breaks as assigned. It is calculated as (Actual Hours Worked as Scheduled divided by Total Scheduled Hours) times 100.

Also known as: shift adherence, attendance adherence

EasyClocking by WorkEasy Software surfaces schedule adherence by location and role in real time, enabling managers to act on deviations before they compound into payroll errors.

Differential Pay

Differential pay is a wage premium added to an employee's base rate for working shifts at less desirable times, typically evenings, nights, weekends or holidays. It is defined in company policy or a collective bargaining agreement and must be captured at the timekeeping layer to flow correctly into payroll.

Also known as: shift differential, shift premium

Typical night differentials range from a few percent to a meaningful hourly premium above base pay, depending on industry and bargaining agreement.

Payroll Alignment Concepts

Downstream vocabulary connecting timekeeping outputs to labor cost control and payroll processing. These terms describe the territory's stated outcome: accurate, defensible payroll data.

Payroll-Ready Data

Payroll-ready data is a validated, exception-free timekeeping dataset containing approved hours, break deductions, overtime flags and differential pay codes that can be submitted directly to a payroll processor without manual correction.

Also known as: payroll export, payroll-ready file

EasyClocking by WorkEasy Software produces payroll-ready data exports formatted for 20+ payroll processors, eliminating the manual reconciliation step between timekeeping and payroll.

Timekeeping Reconciliation

Timekeeping reconciliation is the process of comparing scheduled hours against actual clock-in and clock-out records to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll is processed. It is the administrative bottleneck that grows with schedule complexity and location count.

Also known as: timecard reconciliation, time reconciliation

EasyClocking by WorkEasy Software reduces timekeeping reconciliation time by auto-approving shifts where actual time matches the schedule within a defined tolerance window.

Labor Cost Per Hour

Labor cost per hour is the total cost of employing a worker for one hour, including base wages, differential pay, employer taxes and benefits burden. It is the primary metric for comparing the cost efficiency of different shift schedule designs.

Also known as: fully loaded labor rate, total hourly labor cost

The formula is Total Labor Cost (wages plus employer taxes plus benefits) divided by Total Hours Worked.

Multi-Location Scheduling

Multi-location scheduling is the practice of designing, publishing and managing shift schedules across two or more physical sites from a centralized system, ensuring consistent coverage rules, timekeeping policies and labor cost controls are applied uniformly regardless of location.

Also known as: enterprise scheduling, centralized scheduling

EasyClocking by WorkEasy Software is built for multi-location scheduling, allowing operations teams to set coverage rules at the enterprise level while giving site managers visibility into their own location's adherence.

Shift Schedule Types Glossary. 22 Key Terms Defined

Schedule Foundations

Fair Pay Starts at the Clock

Shift Pattern Types

Timekeeping and Compliance Rules

Payroll Alignment Concepts

Scheduling Failure Modes

How These Terms Relate

Learn More