The patterns
- 2-2-3: 12-hour shifts, 4 crews. Work 2, off 2, work 3, off 2, work 2, off 3, repeating every 14 days. Crews A and B cover days, C and D cover nights. Workplaces use different names for it, including Panama and Pitman.
- DuPont: 12-hour shifts, 4 crews, a 28-day cycle: 4 nights on, 3 off, 3 days on, 1 off, 3 nights on, 3 off, 4 days on, 7 off.
- 4 on, 4 off: 12-hour shifts, 4 crews, an 8-day cycle, so days off move around the week.
- 24/48: 24-hour shifts, 3 crews: one shift, then two days off.
Four crews on 12-hour shifts share 168 hours a week, averaging 42 hours each. Three crews on 24/48 average 56.
Why the workweek matters
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees generally earn overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. A rotating pattern puts different hours into different weeks, so the same 42-hour average can mean 36 and 48 hours in alternate weeks, or 60 and 24, depending on the day your workweek starts. Change workweek starts on to see it. The overtime figure averages the full workweeks shown.
Some states, such as California, also have daily overtime rules, and public fire and law enforcement employers may use special work periods under FLSA section 7(k). Check the rules that apply to you. Our rotating shift schedules guide covers choosing a pattern.
Frequently asked questions
Which crew should I pick?
Each crew follows the same pattern, offset in time. Pick any crew to see its calendar; on 12-hour patterns, crews A and B start on days and C and D on nights (DuPont crews rotate between both).
Does the overtime include daily overtime?
No. It only counts hours over 40 per workweek. State daily overtime, holiday premiums and contract rules aren't included.
Is anything saved?
No. The calendar is generated in your browser and nothing is stored or sent.
Read the full guide
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor: Overtime Pay
- DOL Fact Sheet #8: Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Employees Under the FLSA
Results are estimates for planning, not professional advice. Check the official sources above for rules that apply to you.