What_is_a_shift_

What is a shift?

Shift work refers to any work schedule that falls outside the traditional office hours. Shift work can include evening, night, and early morning shifts. Shift work may also include rotating schedules for employees who work irregular hours, such as firefighters and police officers. 

Here's an example of a city with three shifts and what that looks like each month in a year. 


Example of a shift  schedule


Here are a few examples. 

  • Continuous (24 hours/day, 7 days a week)

  • Discontinuous (24 hours/day, 5 days a week - 3 shift systems)

  • Day/Afternoon only (2 shift system)

  • Fixed shifts (typically 5 days/week)

  • Rotating shifts (almost all 7 days rosters)

  • Irregular hours

  • Early start or graveyard shifts

 

Limitations

  • Each employee can only be tied to one shift. 

 

How shifts work in Connect Payroll

  • Regular hours calculate using the pay period dates. When the shift ending date occurs during a pay period, the system will total the hours worked for the days  in the shift. 

  • Hours in excess of the Hours Worked for Overtime Test will be treated as over time hours for that pay period.  

 

Getting started...

  • Use a calendar to write down the shifts used by the organization. You'll use this as a map to set up the shifts in Connect Timekeeping. 

  • Add the shifts and set up the shift properties and hours. 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2025 Caselle, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

    • Related Articles

    • Shift Report

      A shift refers to hours worked by an employee during a period of time when the job requires 24-hour coverage seven days a week. For example, firefighters may work four 12-hour days, followed by four off days. In this example, the shift length is ...

    • How do I add a shift?

      Shift work refers to any work schedule that falls outside the traditional office hours. Shift work can include evening, night, and early morning shifts. Shift work may also include rotating schedules. Here are a few examples. Continuous (24 ...

    • Error: Shift not assigned for position

      Issue An error message displays when an employee with hours recorded on their timesheet, with the overtime test method is set to shift, and a shift is NOT set on the position. Solution You need to assign a shift to the employee position before you ...

    • How do I add a shift to an employee?

      Set up a shift worker with a shift. A shift worker has a work schedule that falls outside the traditional office hours. For example, fixed shifts, rotating shifts, and early start or graveyard shifts. Using a shift is another method for calculating a ...

    • How do I assign a shift to an employee's position?

      A shift refers to hours worked by an employee during a period of time when the job requires 24-hour coverage seven days a week. For example, firefighters may work four 12-hour days, followed by four off days. In this example, the shift length is ...