Continental shift pattern
The continental shift pattern is a fast-rotating 8-hour schedule for 24/7 work with four crews. Each crew works 2 or 3 mornings, then afternoons, then nights, then has 2 or 3 days off. The cycle is 28 days and averages 42 hours a week.
Written by Maren Vellory, Operations Manager · Updated October 19, 2026
The numbers
Worked out from the cycle. Weekends are counted from a Monday start.
- Shift length
- 8 hours
- Crews
- 4
- Cycle
- 28 days
- Average hours a week
- 42 hours
- Longest run of work
- 7 days
- Longest break
- 3 days
- Weekends fully off
- 1 in 4
- Cover
- 24/7
- People for 1 on each shift
- 4
Continental shift pattern calendar
The next 28 days from Monday, October 19, 2026. Change the dates below to see your own 8 weeks.
You need 4 people: 4 crews of 1, before cover for time off and sickness.
- DDay 06:00–14:00
- EEvening 14:00–22:00
- NNight 22:00–06:00
- OOff
| Crew |
Mo 19 |
Tu 20 |
We 21 |
Th 22 |
Fr 23 |
Sa 24 |
Su 25 |
Mo 26 |
Tu 27 |
We 28 |
Th 29 |
Fr 30 |
Sa 31 |
Su 1 |
Mo 2 |
Tu 3 |
We 4 |
Th 5 |
Fr 6 |
Sa 7 |
Su 8 |
Mo 9 |
Tu 10 |
We 11 |
Th 12 |
Fr 13 |
Sa 14 |
Su 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew 1 | D | D | E | E | N | N | N | O | O | D | D | E | E | E | N | N | O | O | D | D | D | E | E | N | N | O | O | O |
| Crew 2 | O | O | D | D | E | E | E | N | N | O | O | D | D | D | E | E | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | E | E | N | N | N |
| Crew 3 | N | N | O | O | D | D | D | E | E | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | E | E | N | N | N | O | O | D | D | E | E | E |
| Crew 4 | E | E | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | E | E | N | N | N | O | O | D | D | E | E | E | N | N | O | O | D | D | D |
Hours per week and per 2-week pay period
The next 8 weeks for each crew, from the start date. Your pay week may start on another day; then the hours split differently.
| Crew | Weeks 1–2 | Weeks 3–4 | Weeks 5–6 | Weeks 7–8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew 1 |
96 h (56 + 40)
16 h over 40 a week |
72 h (40 + 32) |
96 h (56 + 40)
16 h over 40 a week |
72 h (40 + 32) |
| Crew 2 | 80 h (40 + 40) |
88 h (32 + 56)
16 h over 40 a week |
80 h (40 + 40) |
88 h (32 + 56)
16 h over 40 a week |
| Crew 3 | 72 h (40 + 32) |
96 h (56 + 40)
16 h over 40 a week |
72 h (40 + 32) |
96 h (56 + 40)
16 h over 40 a week |
| Crew 4 |
88 h (32 + 56)
16 h over 40 a week |
80 h (40 + 40) |
88 h (32 + 56)
16 h over 40 a week |
80 h (40 + 40) |
Over 40 hours in a week is overtime under the US federal rule (time and a half). Your state, province or contract can add more, for example daily overtime.
Download the Continental shift pattern
The next 12 months for each crew, from the start date and shift times above. The CSV opens in Excel and Google Sheets. The calendar file adds each shift to Google Calendar, Outlook or Apple Calendar.
- Crew 1 CSV for Excel Calendar file
- Crew 2 CSV for Excel Calendar file
- Crew 3 CSV for Excel Calendar file
- Crew 4 CSV for Excel Calendar file
How the Continental shift pattern works
- Make four crews of the same size.
- There are three 8-hour shifts: morning, afternoon and night (for example 6 am, 2 pm and 10 pm).
- Each crew works 7 days moving forward through the shifts (morning, afternoon, night), then has 2 or 3 days off.
- Over 28 days: 7 on, 2 off, 7 on, 2 off, 7 on, 3 off.
- Start each crew one week after the one before. Three crews work and one is off every day.
One cycle for crew 1, day by day: DDEENNNOODDEEENNOODDDEENNOOO (D day, E evening, N night, O off).
Pros
- 8-hour shifts, for work where 12 hours is too long or not allowed.
- Only 2 or 3 nights in a row, so less sleep debt.
- Shifts move forward (morning to night), which is easier on the body.
Cons
- Runs of 7 work days.
- Only short breaks of 2 or 3 days.
- Only 1 in 4 weekends fully off.
Who uses it
Plants and services in Europe, and sites where 12-hour shifts are ruled out by law, contract or heavy work.
Two patterns called "continental"
Most sources use "continental" for this 8-hour pattern that rotates every 2 or 3 days. Some UK sites use the name for the 12-hour 2-2-3 schedule instead.
See also: 2-2-3 schedule and 8-hour rotating shift schedule.
Questions
How many hours a week is the continental shift pattern?
42 hours on average: 21 shifts of 8 hours in 28 days.
Is the continental shift pattern 12 hours?
The classic continental pattern uses 8-hour shifts. Some UK sites use the name for the 12-hour 2-2-3 schedule.
How is it different from the 8-hour rotating schedule?
Both use four crews and 8-hour shifts. The continental pattern changes shift every 2 or 3 days. The 8-hour rotating (Southern swing) schedule stays on one shift for 7 days.
Put real people on these shifts.
Set your areas, shifts and rules, and ScheduleSolve drafts the schedule. 7 days free, no card needed.