The main issues are likely to be:

* Length of shift (8 or 12 hour)?
* Number of shifts per cycle (how many days will they work before a break)?
* Rotating or permanent shift (e.g. will people rotate between day/night or stick to one of them)?
* If rotating, will this be during a cycle (i.e. will they do a full cycle on days then a full cycle on nights)?
* How will holidays be covered (long breaks included in shift pattern or provide cover to allow people to take time off)?

If you give us an idea of what you have in mind we can probably make more useful comments.

hi andybz,
This is the following criteria;

1. 12hrs shifts
2. holiday cover
3. rotating shifts
4. long breaks included in shift pattern.
5. number of shifts per cycle not an issue if giving a decent break inbetween.
I am sorry if this is a little bit woolley but we are only in the early stages of developing this consept.

Thanks ......Safety-man
PS I will look on HSE SITE Thanks KATE

Having assessed shift patterns and discussed them with shift workers I've got a pretty good feel of what works well and what does not.

A standard 12 hour shift pattern typically works as two day shifts, two night shifts then four days off. This is fine because people are not working too many nights, so they don't start becoming nocturnal and they get plenty of time to recover from the nights before returning to days.

One of the down sides of the 2-2-4 pattern is that it disturbs a lot of weekends because people end up working at least one shift nearly every weekend. This impacts work-life balance when trying to fit in with family and friends. More complicated patterns can be set up that result in people having whole weekends off. For example: two days, three nights, four off, followed by three days, two nights, five off then repeat

The idea of continuous days and nights does have its merits, but it may be difficult to find volunteers. Also, you have to recognise the potential downsides of night shift workers never seeing office staff/managers etc. Also, it may impact your ability to get cover for sickness etc.

Regarding work life balance, shift work actually suits lots of people. This is especially the case for 12 hour shifts because you get so many more days off. It can particularly suit people with young children, because they don't need to go to nursery so often, and golfers who get the courses to themselves during the week!

Andy,

The Key here is workforce buy-in. You'll never please all the people all the time, but don't impose a work pattern as you will have morale (and productivity) issues as a result. Any change to a routine is bad enough, but one that is unwelcome.......

You may also be surprised by how many will volunteer for a night shift (increased pay and perceived less 'interference' from management!) and how many will refuse point blank to do one!

I would also offer a suggestion (as someone who in the past has worked some weird night-shifts!); try not to have night shifts following day shifts, especially if those shifts are long or the work requires high levels of concentration. Your 2 day 12 hrs followed by 2 12hr nights will leave workers extremely vulnerable to fatigue during the last 4 hrs of the night shift (when the body is naturally expecting to be resting). You would expect them to attempt to adjust their sleeping pattern by sleeping in the day preceding the night shift, but I can guarantee you that they won't and will treat it as a day off, with maybe a lie in (they may be too tired from the previous 2 days' 12 hr day shifts) to attempt to stay awake long enough following their last shift to make the necessary adjustments.

A transition from nights to days is easier on the body (and mind). Finally, ensure you have management support on the night shift too. You may find this is harder to implement than anything else!