According to many schedule consultants, the length of work shifts is an integral part of business scheduling, and the resurgence of longer shifts is a viable innovation.Generally, it is agreed that, with the invention of the light bulb came shift work and 12-hour workdays. Laws were enacted, establishing requirements for overtime after eight hours of work and more than 40 hours in one week,
. gradually ending the trend.In the 21st century, many companies have eliminated mandatory overtime by setting up systems of longer work shifts without exceeding 40-hour employee work weeks. Typically, employees working 40 hours a week complete 173.3 12-hour shifts, 208 10-hour shifts and 260 eight-hour shifts for a total of 2,080 hours in one year. Employees are afforded more total days off when they work longer shifts. However, the tradeoff is that they have less time off on days that they work.Do long shifts negatively impact productivity, safety and quality of operations? Experts recommend that some tedious tasks, necessitating focus on details, are best accomplished during shorter shifts. Otherwise, employees should rotate to other duties periodically so they can stay fresh.Business analysts advise that, in addition to customizing longer shifts to make sense and optimize operations, employers should consider additional factors. First, although longer work shifts are popular worldwide, it is important to make sure that employees understand what they are getting into and truly support shift procedures.Second, employers need to review policies and pay schedules since conventional guidelines are geared to eight-hour shifts. Third, coordinating the day-on and day-off patterns of the workforce require the participation of all workers; extended hours and night shifts can pose new difficulties on night crews that do not necessarily affect day crews.Fourth, experts add that environmental conditions, such as exposure to moderate-to-extreme temperatures, toxins, heavy physical labor and loud noises, are critical issues. It is possible that some workers are unable to endure certain circumstances for more than eight hours or if they do not have ample time off.Various websites have additional information and resources on longer work shifts, including 12-hour scheduling templates for work crews of three persons and more.More reference links: http://www.shiftschedules.com/templates/ http://www.fileguru.com/apps/work_schedules_shift
