
Nearly all industries have elements of shift work and some industries rely heavily on this type of employment, including: Transportation It can be for rotating daily shifts, like days, evenings or nights or rotating days of the week off. Related: Highest Paying Jobs in Singapore What's a shift-based job and what industries use shift work?Ī shift-based job is any employment position that has a rotating shift schedule instead of a fixed shift schedule. Surgeons and doctors are good examples of jobs that frequently have on-call shifts. On-call shift: an on-call shift is one that's intentionally unpredictable, where you get called in on short notice to work. to 11 a.m., have a four-hour break and come back to work from 3 p.m. Split shift: a split shift schedule is when you work two separate shifts in the same workday to fulfil your hours. This often helps balance shift coverage in operational settings, especially if there are any unplanned absences. Swing shift: a swing shift often overlaps the day and night shift, starting in the mid-afternoon until around midnight. though hours can have staggered start and end times, depending on the industry or company. Night shift: sometimes called the graveyard shift, you typically work during the overnight hours on the night shift.

Related: The Essential Job Search Guide What are shift hours?Ī shift schedule highly depends on the industry and company you work for, though it typically includes shifts like:ĭay shift: as a day shift employee, you work daytime hours, often from 9 a.m. Requests to work additional shifts to cover absences Lack of established routine or balance with personal life Sleep interruption or deprivation from changing shift schedules Opportunity for overtime or additional shifts to get higher earningsĪ rotating schedule can have challenges, including: Potential to change shifts with coworkers Greater schedule flexibility to work preferred shifts or schedule around personal obligations There are many beneficial aspects of a rotating schedule, including: Related: What Does a Shift Manager Do? (With Requirements and Salary) Pros of working a shift schedule Shift work is common in nearly all industries and has pros and cons.

It also might include a rotation of certain days of the week, like working Monday through Friday one week and Tuesday through Saturday the next. Employees might work morning, day or night shifts, ensuring coverage across the operation at all times of day. For example, hospitals, airlines and manufacturing plants often have around-the-clock shifts. To understand what is shift work, it's a rotating schedule for working professionals, often to guarantee employee coverage 24/7, especially for operational workplaces. Related: 20 Careers of the Future (With Salaries) What is shift work?
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In this article, we explore what is shift work and the industries that use it, what the various shifts are and how to navigate working a career that involves shift work.

Learning more about shift work can help you determine if it's something you want to pursue. You can gain shift work in a variety of roles and positions in nearly every industry, offering many options for a successful career. Many professionals across industries work in shifts, completing their duties outside of the standard 9 a.m.
