What Are Work Shifts and Work Shift Hours?

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A guide to converting work

As normal business hours come to a close, most companies are ready to call it a day. But for many companies and organizations, 5pm only means a change in shifts.

When companies must work during the night or on the weekends, they hire employees for the specific purpose of working those extra shift hours.

Read on to explore the concept of shift work and the types of industries that need it.

Common transformation industries and jobs

Not everyone likes to work between the hours of 9am and 5pm, some people have commitments during those hours, while others feel more productive later in the day or even overnight. Whatever the reason, if you prefer to work outside of normal business hours, you can find a suitable job in an industry known for shift work.

Industries that use shift work do so because the nature of their operations requires them to, because they want to increase productivity, or meet customer expectations.

Companies or organizations that use 24-hour coverage have options to split shifts. For example:

  • Eight hour shifts (morning, evening or overnight) on a fixed or rotating schedule
  • Four shifts of 10 hours each followed by three days rest
  • Several 12 hour shifts followed by several days off

Below are some of the industries where shift work is common, along with some of the jobs you might find in those sectors.

health care

Health care facilities do not get to choose when a patient may need assistance. They need employees who are available 24/7. Hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities typically need medical and non-medical staff who work around the clock. Some of the functions needed by healthcare facilities include:

  • cleaning technicians
  • the doctors
  • Hospital security officers
  • nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Physician assistants

Public Safety

You may have heard the saying, “Crime never sleeps.” Well, neither does the public safety industry. Emergencies do not wait for office hours, so communities need public safety workers to be available at all times. Police departments, fire departments, ambulance companies, and prisons rely on shift workers to ensure the safety of the communities they serve.

  • Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
  • Firefighter
  • Paramedics
  • police officers
  • security guards
  • Corrections officers

selling by pieces

With the increasing popularity of online shopping, traditional retail establishments have to step up their game. For many stores, this means extended store hours and the need for more shift workers. Supermarkets, convenience stores, grocery stores, or any store that chooses to remain open after 5pm need workers for jobs including:

  • cashiers
  • Customer Service Partners
  • Retail Partners
  • stock clerks
  • Store managers

hospitality

The hospitality industry needs 24/7 staff. Businesses including hotels, motels, resorts, casinos, bars, and restaurants strive to cater to their guests no matter the time, day or night. To provide perfect service, they need the help of these workers:

  • Bartenders
  • cooks
  • dishwashers
  • front desk associates
  • House keeping
  • Hotel managers
  • servers

Customer service

Customers often expect answers to questions or the ability to vent their frustrations in employees during and after traditional business hours. Some companies meet this need through call centers, while others prefer interaction via online chat or social media. Either way, companies need people to respond to customer needs after hours with employees such as:

  • call center representatives
  • customer service representatives
  • Social Communication Manager

Glossary of shift work terms

If you are looking into shift work, there are several terms that you should know.

Afternoon shift

Afternoon shift is another name for second shift or swing shift. The workers work the afternoon shifts around 3pm and work until about midnight when the third shift workers arrive.

Rosy day

The day shift refers to the first shift, which takes place during daylight hours. The day shift usually follows a normal working day from 8am to 5pm.

first shift

If you work the first shift, you usually work during normal business hours. Your day should start at 8am or 9am and end at 5pm Working during this time means you get a reasonably normal workday, complete with commuting in the morning, afternoon and evening, so you can go out with friends at night or eat Dinner with your family.

hard shift

Fixed shifts are when all employees have a fixed shift schedule. For example, one group of employees will always work the day shift, another group will always be scheduled for afternoon shifts, and a third group of workers will always have night shifts.

Cemetery transformation

The third shift is also known as the graveyard shift, midnight shift, or night shift. Since there are usually fewer clients and colleagues during this time, it’s like working in a graveyard.

Midnight shift

Shifts that begin in the middle of the night and continue into the early morning are often referred to as the midnight shift, unsurprisingly. Synonyms include the night shift, third shift, and cemetery shift.

night shift

The night shift is another way of referring to the third shift, also called the midnight shift and the graveyard shift. This shift typically starts at midnight and ends in the morning when the day shift arrives.

periodic table

Also called rotating work schedules, they are basically the opposite of fixed work shifts. Shifts are shuffled between employees, sometimes on a set schedule and sometimes depending on the employer’s needs. For example, a worker who works a rotating schedule might work the first shift on Mondays and Tuesdays, the third shift on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the second shift on Thursdays.

The second shift

The second shift comes after daytime hours and works from approximately 3pm until midnight. Second shift workers often earn slightly higher wages than first shift workers, because it is not always easy for companies to find people willing to work after hours. Another advantage is the ability to schedule doctor’s visits and shop in stores during regular business hours without ever taking off from work. The second shift is also called a swing or afternoon shift, although it runs well in the evenings and nights.

split shift

A split shift is when an employee works two separate shifts on the same day. Split shifts are common in industries with peak hours throughout the day, such as the restaurant industry, where workers can be in for the morning or quick lunch, out in the afternoon, and come back for the dinner crowd.

Shift switch

Swing shift is another way of saying afternoon shift or second shift. The swing shift usually begins in the middle or afternoon and ends around midnight.

The third shift

The third shift relaxes the afternoon shift. Working hours may vary between employers, but the third shift usually starts between 10pm and midnight and ends sometime between 6am and 8am. Midnight shift – is that it usually comes with a higher pay rate.

Negotiate your shift hours in advance

Shift work has its advantages and disadvantages. If you end up working for a company that has shifts, it is important that you have some control over when you are on duty. Otherwise, you may be stuck with uncomfortable working hours or your employer may assign you a shift that may not work for you. With at least some level of control, shift work can be a huge improvement to your career.

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