12-hour rotating shift pattern
What Is a Pitman Schedule?
The Pitman schedule is a 12-hour rotating pattern that keeps a workplace covered with just two crews.
How the Pitman rotation works
A Pitman schedule splits a team into two crews. One crew works the day shift and the other works the night shift, and each crew follows a 14-day pattern of 2 days on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off. Over the cycle every employee works 7 days and rests 7 days.
Unlike 2-2-3, the two crews do not swap between day and night. The day crew stays on days and the night crew stays on nights, which is why it suits small teams that prefer a stable side of the clock.
| Crew | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | D | D | O | O | D | D | D | O | O | D | D | O | O | O |
| B | N | N | O | O | N | N | N | O | O | N | N | O | O | O |
Pitman schedule: pros and cons
Pros
- ·Seven days off out of every fourteen
- ·A stable day or night side, no rotating off sleep
- ·Only two crews to manage
- ·Predictable 14-day cycle
Cons
- ·The night crew stays on nights permanently
- ·12-hour shifts are tiring
- ·Only two crews, so less flexibility when someone is out
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Pitman schedule?
A Pitman schedule is a 12-hour shift pattern run by two crews. One crew works days and the other works nights, each working 7 days out of every 14.
How many employees do I need for a Pitman schedule?
Two crews, so at least two employees minimum, usually more so each shift has full coverage.
How does a Pitman schedule compare to 2-2-3?
Both are 14-day, 12-hour patterns. Pitman uses two crews that stay on a fixed day or night side, while 2-2-3 uses four crews that rotate between day and night.
Is a Pitman schedule good for work-life balance?
It gives 7 days off out of every 14 with a regular long weekend, but the 12-hour shifts are tiring and crews stay on the same side of the clock.