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.