6 shifts a month2 people a night
Manufacturing and production
Factory shift scheduling
On a continuous line the rota's job is not only to fill the hours but to fill them without leaving the same crew on nights. If the rotation is not fair, neither is the shift premium.
Example setup: a 36-person line · 3 shifts a day (08–16, 16–24, 24–08) · 12 people per shift · weekly rotation · 24 hours of rest after a night shift.
A typical setup
The three shifts follow each other through the day and crews move to the next shift at the start of the week. The weekend handover can be defined as its own shift set.
Which constraints apply
- Mandatory rest after a night shift
- Weekly total hour cap
- Consecutive nights per person
- Nights per person, so the shift premium stays even
- A qualified operator on every shift
The result
The monthly roster lists shift and night counts per person, so the premium calculation comes straight off the schedule. When someone drops out mid-month you regenerate and publish again.
How you set it up
- Set the rotation direction. Forward rotation — mornings, then evenings, then nights — is easier on people than going backwards. Decide it once; the plan repeats it every cycle.
- Define the handover at the weekend. Continuous lines still change gear at the weekend. Give the weekend its own shift set rather than stretching the weekday one.
- Cap consecutive nights. The number of nights in a row is the rule that most affects fatigue and the one most often left out of a hand-built rota.
- Pin the qualified operators. Create a role for operators certified on the line and require the minimum per shift, so no shift runs without one.
Common questions
Can crews rotate weekly rather than daily?
Yes. Set the cycle so a crew holds the same shift for a week and moves to the next one after it. The rota repeats the cycle for as long as the plan runs.
How do I keep night counts even for shift premium?
Cap nights per person and read the distribution list, which shows how many each person worked. That list is what the premium calculation comes off.
Can two lines with different patterns live in one plan?
Yes. Each line is its own shift set with its own headcount, so a three-shift line and a two-shift line can share a monthly plan.
What if someone is off sick mid-cycle?
Mark the day and regenerate. The rest of the cycle is rebuilt around the gap without breaking the rest rules you set.
Build your first schedule this month
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