Shift models

What are shift models?

Shift models are working time structures that regulate the deployment of employees in fixed time periods. They enable companies to maintain operations beyond the usual daily working hours and react flexibly to operational requirements.

Overview of common shift models

1. Single-shift model: Work is performed in a single shift per day, typically during the day.
2. Two-shift model: The working day is divided into early and late shifts, extending operations into the evening hours.
3. Three-shift model: There are early, late and night shifts, enabling 24-hour operation.
4. Four-shift model: Four teams rotate in a rolling system to cover continuous operation including weekends.
5. Five-shift model: Five teams work in a rotating system that allows for additional recovery phases and reduces the burden of night shifts.

Industries and their typical shift models

• Healthcare: Hospitals and care facilities often use the three-shift model to ensure 24/7 care.
• Production and industry: Fully continuous shift models (e.g. four- or five-shift systems) are common in order to maximize machine running times.
• Logistics and transportation: Three-shift systems enable the continuous movement and distribution of goods.
• Retail and gastronomy: Two-shift models or flexible working time models are used to respond to customer frequency.

Advantages and disadvantages of shift models

Advantages

• Increase operating times and productivity
• Better utilization of machines and systems
• Flexibility in personnel planning

Disadvantages

• Health risks due to changing working hours
• Challenges in balancing work and private life
• Increased planning and coordination effort

Effects on staff scheduling

The choice of shift model has a significant influence on staff scheduling. A structured shift plan enables an even distribution of the workload and takes into account legal requirements such as rest periods and maximum working hours. In addition, efficient planning can reduce overtime and increase employee satisfaction.

Shift models vs. flexible working time models

In addition to traditional shift models, many companies rely on flexible working time models such as modular working time or functional time. With modular working time, the working day is divided into defined blocks of time that employees can choose within a certain framework. Functional time, on the other hand, specifies the periods during which a work area must be functional without specifying individual attendance times.

Advantages of flexible working time models

• High flexibility: Employees can better adapt their working hours to their personal needs.
• Improved work-life balance: Individual organization of working hours promotes the compatibility of work and private life.
• Increased employee satisfaction: Self-determination can strengthen motivation and loyalty to the company.

Disadvantages of flexible working time models

• Increased planning effort: Coordinating individual working times can be complex.
• Communication requirements: Coordination within the team is necessary to ensure functionality.
• Challenges in complying with legal requirements: Working time laws must be observed despite flexibility.

In comparison, shift models offer a structured and predictable organization of working hours, while flexible working time models allow more individuality, but also entail higher demands on planning and communication.

Digital support from ZMI – Planner for shift planning

ZMI’s time recording solutions help companies to create efficient and transparent shift schedules. With the web-based ZMI – Planner module, shift schedules can be created digitally and in real time, enabling a flexible response to absences or changes in staffing requirements. Planners have an overview of all availabilities and working hours already worked, allowing duty and shift schedules to be created quickly and clearly.

ZMI – Planner offers flexible planning views on a monthly, weekly and daily basis and allows employees to be planned by planning groups such as workplace, cost center or department. In addition, personnel master data, balances and daily schedules with start and end of work are displayed, as well as target and actual times on a daily or weekly basis and already approved or requested days off.

Integration with the ZMI – Time digital personnel time recording system provides a comprehensive shift planning solution that both meets legal requirements and increases employee satisfaction.