The Pitman Schedule is a scheduling model that has gained traction in industries that require continuous operation. As well as the Dupont Schedule, the Pitman Schedule relies on a unique shift pattern that allows teams to balance work commitments with rest periods.
Summary
The Pitman shift schedule is designed to meet the demanding needs of continuous operations in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, utility services, etc.
By organizing four teams (or crews) to work 12-hour shifts over a two-week cycle, you ensure your business maintains round-the-clock coverage.
If the system is implemented correctly, employers benefit from the increased operational efficiency, and employees feel valued and supported.
The Pitman Schedule Logic and Variations
The Pitman Schedule originated in law enforcement, and its main goal is to allow officers to balance work commitments with rest periods.
On this schedule four (or less) teams may work 12-hour shifts in a fixed or rotating pattern over a two-week cycle.
On the Pitman Schedule employees typically work:
- 14 days within a 28-day cycle, which is divided into two-week periods.
- 7 days over two 2-week cycles, totaling 14 working days per month.
- 2,184 hours per year, based on a standard biweekly schedule of 84 hours.
- 42 to 44 hours per week, depending on specific shift start times and rotation patterns.
The Pitman Shift Schedule can be implemented in two distinct ways:
- Fixed Pitman Schedule: All teams adhere to a consistent shift pattern. For instance, during the entire cycle, the first two teams work day shifts, while the other two teams operate on night shifts.
- Rotating Pitman Schedule: This schedule involves teams switching between day and night shifts. For example, over a two-week period.
Fixed Pitman Schedule employee cycle example:
- Work 2 Business Days
- Take 2 Days Off
- Work 3 Business Days
- Take 2 Days Off
- Work 2 Business Days
- Take 3 Days Off
Fixed Pitman Schedule team schedule example:
Team 1 (Day Shift)
- Works Monday and Tuesday
- Off Wednesday and Thursday
- Works Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Off Monday and Tuesday
- Works Wednesday and Thursday
- Off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Team 2 (Night Shift) works the same days as Team 1 but during the night hours.
Teams 3 and 4 would follow similar patterns, with one working days and the other nights, ensuring that there is always coverage regardless of the time of day.
Rotating Pitman Schedule team schedule example:
Week 1
- Team 1 (Day Shift): Works Monday and Tuesday, off Wednesday and Thursday, works Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Team 2 (Night Shift): Works Monday and Tuesday at night, off Wednesday and Thursday, works Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at night.
Week 2
- Team 1 (Now Night Shift): Switches to night shifts for the same pattern.
- Team 2 (Now Day Shift): Switches to day shifts for the same pattern.
Teams 3 and 4 would follow a similar pattern, ensuring that all shifts are covered while providing employees with a balanced work-life schedule. This rotating system helps distribute the workload evenly among all teams while allowing for flexibility in shift preferences.
The Pitman Schedule Pros and Cons and Tips to Overcome the Challenges
The Pitman work schedule is often utilized by industries like police departments, emergency services, and call centers, so if you’re considering adopting it’s essential not to sacrifice employee well-being to operational efficiency. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect:
Firstly, with 12-hour shifts, employees often receive a base wage supplemented by additional pay for extra hours worked, which in some industries is a third more than their regular pay. However, longer working hours can disrupt normal eating and sleeping patterns, leading to a host of health issues.
actiPLANS tip: Allow for some flexibility in scheduling to accommodate personal circumstances or preferences, which can help reduce stress.
Let employees access and edit their schedules on the go and ensure the replacement is found promptly.
Secondly, the Pitman schedule allows employees to work during off-peak hours, significantly reducing time spent in traffic. This not only alleviates stress but also makes finding parking much easier, contributing to an overall better work-life balance. On the flip side, night shifts, can pose safety concerns for employees commuting home late at night.
actiPLANS tip: Ensure that the night shifts are distributed evenly, and no employees are overloaded and risk losing focus and control.
Keep a close eye on your staff’s workload, location, and assigned shifts.
Laws Regulating the Pitman Schedule
UK Regulations
Working Time Regulations 1998 stipulate the following:
- Employees can’t work more than an average of 48 hours per week unless they opt out of this limit.
- Workers are entitled to 11 consecutive hours off within every 24-hour period.
- Employees must receive at least 24 hours off in a 7-day period, or 48 hours off every 14 days.
- Any employee working over 6 hours is entitled to a minimum 20-minute break.
- Night workers should not exceed an average of 8 hours in any 24-hour period, averaged over a 17-week period.
- Employers must offer free health checks for night workers before they start and at regular intervals thereafter.
National Living Wage (2025) requires:
- Increase the minimum wage to £11.44/hour for workers aged 21 and over.
- Track hours worked and rest breaks.
- Maintain a history of staff rotas.
- Document any opt-outs from the 48-hour workweek rules.
US Regulations
Unlike the UK, the US lacks a uniform labor law, making compliance dependent on state regulations. However, there are several key considerations applicable across the board.
In the US, any hours worked beyond 40 hours per week must be compensated at a rate of 1.5 times the employee’s regular pay rate. This applies even if those hours are compressed into fewer days, such as through 12-hour shifts. Additionally, some states, like California, impose daily overtime after 8 hours of work in a single day.
Besides that, workers on rotating shifts must be classified as employees rather than independent contractors, as it guarantees they receive necessary benefits, overtime pay, and protections under employment law.
States such as New York, New Jersey, California, and Oregon have introduced or mandated PFML schemes. Employers must accommodate leave requests even when operating under a tight schedule like the Pitman rota.
Conclusion
Implementing the Pitman shift schedule can significantly enhance your organization’s ability to maintain seamless 24/7 operations. However, to reap the benefits of a well-organized, efficient, and motivated team you have to
- Assess your needs and employee preferences,
- Establishing clear shift start and end times, allowing for adequate transition periods,
- Find the user-friendly solution for scheduling and communication,
- Verify compliance with labor laws to safeguard both your organization and your workforce.
With actiPLANS’ automation, communication tools, and reporting features, you will streamline the implementation of the Pitman work schedule and create a more efficient and supportive work environment. Start your free trial today!
