Glossary
3 min read
Continental shift pattern: everything you need to know
Alex Francis
Nov 29, 2024
Everything you need to know
You’re probably familiar with continental breakfasts, or holidays “on the continent”. But you might not be as hot on continental shift patterns. And you could be considering implementing one in your business. To help you make the right choice, we’ve pulled together everything you need to know so you can make the right shift.
What is a continental shift pattern?
A continental shift pattern is a rotating shift schedule that’s designed to keep your business operating 24/7. The pattern typically has team members working 12-hour shifts that alternate between day and night shifts, with built-in rest days.
Struggling to imagine how it works? Here's how it usually looks over a week:
- Two to three consecutive day shifts (7am to 7pm)
- Followed by two to three consecutive night shifts (7pm to 7am)
- Then, a block of days off (normally two to four days)
This rotation repeats, giving businesses uninterrupted around-the-clock staff coverage.
Read more: How to schedule your staff effectively
Who uses a continental shift pattern?
This shift pattern is normally used in industries that need 24/7 operations, like:
Hospitality
Hotels and event venues may use the continental shift pattern to cover all of their services.
Manufacturing
To keep production lines running around the clock.
Healthcare
Hospitals and care facilities use the continental shift pattern to provide 24/7 patient care.
Logistics and transportation
Warehouses and delivery centers rely on it to maintain continuous supply chains.
Read more: Figuring out the right 12-hour shift schedule for your business
Advantages of a continental shift pattern
The continental shift pattern provides plenty of upside – for the business and team members, too.
Continuous coverage
No staffing gaps, making it ideal for businesses that can’t afford downtime.
Fewer shift handovers
Longer shifts mean fewer handovers, reducing the risk of communication errors.
Built-in rest days
Team members usually receive several consecutive days off after a shift cycle, which can improve their work/life balance.
Challenges of a continental shift pattern
But it also has a few cons you might want to consider as well.
Fatigue
Working 12-hour shifts, especially at night, can lead to team members feeling exhausted.
Disruptive to sleep
Alternating between day and night shifts can interfere with circadian rhythms (that’s your body’s internal 24-hour clock), affecting sleep quality.
Work/life balance
While rest days are provided, the long shifts can make it difficult to maintain a regular social or family life.
Creating and managing continental shift patterns can be tricky. Planday can help streamline your scheduling, track employee preferences and make sure you’re complying with labour regulations, making it easier to perfect your shifts and run your business.
Read more: Five ways scheduling software can improve your business
Thinking of going continental?
Book a demo today and see how Planday can help you staff up or down, around the clock.
If you liked that, you'll love this
