This article dives into what the 4 on 3 off shift pattern entails and how it compares to a traditional work schedule, providing practical insights for employers, HR professionals, and small business owners.
What is a 4 on 3 off shift pattern?
A 4-on-3-off (often written “4-3” or “4/3”) means staff work four consecutive long shifts (commonly 10 or 12 hours) followed by three days off, repeating weekly. It can be run as fixed days/nights or as a rotating pattern. This is not the same as the Panama/2-2-3 schedule.
📊 Quick comparison table: 4-on-3-off VS Panama/ 2-2-3:
| Pattern | Typical cycle | Common shift length | Days worked per 14 days | Rotates days/nights? | What it’s good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-on-3-off | 7 days | 10–12h | ~4 days/week | Optional (fixed or rotating) | Simple weekly rhythm, long recoveries |
| Panama / 2-2-3 | 14 or 28 days | 12h | 7 days/14 | Yes (four teams covering 24/7) | True 24/7 cover with alternating weekends |
⚠️ Managers often confuse these, leading to wrong staffing numbers and the wrong premium/OT assumptions. Use the right label when you brief payroll, safety, and HR.
When to choose 10h vs 12h blocks
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10-hour shifts keep weekly totals nearer 40 hours and can reduce overtime exposure in jurisdictions that trigger daily OT after 12 hours.
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12-hour shifts give fewer handovers and more full days off but raise fatigue risk if you stack too many consecutive nights. UK HSE advises assessing fatigue risks for extended shifts and night work.
Typical sectors adopting 4-on-3-off
Manufacturing, healthcare, security, field services, and utilities use long-shift compressed workweeks to keep 24/7 coverage with fewer handovers. SHRM highlights compressed workweeks, shift swapping and periodic rotation as practical flexibility levers for site-based teams.
Operational advantages (why managers pick it)
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Fewer handovers, more continuity: 12-hour blocks reduce errors at shift change.
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Stable weekly rhythm: easy to brief, easy to follow, predictable days off.
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Coverage for peaks: long days can align better with maintenance or clinical peaks.
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Recruitment & retention angle: more full days off can be attractive versus 5×8. SHRM cites compressed workweeks and swaps as proven retention tools in manufacturing.
Compliance at a glance
A quick snapshot of what managers must get right.
🇬🇧 UK essentials you can’t skip
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Rolled-up holiday pay is now allowed only for irregular-hours and part-year workers for leave years starting on/after 1 April 2024. Use the 12.07% method, show holiday pay separately on payslips, and keep clear records.
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Flexible working is a day-one right with an updated Acas Code: consult, assess requests reasonably, and conclude within 2 months (unless you agree another timeline). Document your business reasons.
🇺🇸 US: what varies by city/state in 2025
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Predictive-scheduling (“Fair Workweek”) rules: NYC, Chicago and Oregon require advance posting (often 14 days) and predictability pay for late changes. 👉 Build these costs into your rota.
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Federal overtime rule (2024) is litigated/uncertain in 2025. Do not assume the $58.6k salary threshold applies nationwide; courts in Texas blocked parts of the rule and appeals continue. Keep local counsel guidance and monitor outcomes
Designing a safe rota (12-hour or 10-hour)
A practical way to cut fatigue risk while keeping coverage.
What the regulators flag 🚩
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Fatigue risk rises with long/irregular and night shifts; error and injury rates increase when rest is squeezed. Build in recovery time and protected breaks.
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The UK HSE advises using a fatigue-risk approach: limit consecutive nights, avoid quick turnarounds, and rotate forward (day → late → night) where possible.
👉 A simple manager’s flow (use this before you publish a rota)
- Set limits: max 3–4 consecutive nights, minimum 11 hours between shifts where feasible.
- Balance blocks: prefer 10h when demand is steady; use 12h only with extra controls (longer breaks, fewer consecutive nights).
- Protect breaks: schedule paid micro-breaks and a proper meal break; capture them in your time system.
- Handover clarity: add 10–15 minutes for safety-critical handovers.
- Monitor reality: track lateness, swaps, overtime spikes and incident reports; review pattern every 4–8 weeks.
Overtime & premiums: worked examples
A clear way to cost your 4-on-3-off rota.
Daily vs weekly triggers you should model
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US (varies by state/city): weekly overtime (FLSA) generally after 40 hours; some places also have daily triggers (e.g., California >8h/day and >12h/day). Layer predictability pay where Fair Workweek applies.
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UK: no overtime law like the FLSA; comply with Working Time limits (48-hour average unless opted-out) and night work health assessments. Pay terms are set by contract and policy, but record-keeping is essential.
Implementation playbook in 30 minutes
A fast, low-risk way to launch (or fix) a 4-on-3-off pattern.
Minute 0–10: set the rules
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Define coverage windows, shift length (10h or 12h), max consecutive nights, minimum rest, and swap rules.
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Map UK requirements (rolled-up holiday pay eligibility; flexible-working steps) and US overlays (predictive-scheduling notice, predictability pay).
Minute 10–20: build and test the rota
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Create two templates: one conservative (10h) and one extended (12h) with stronger rest rules.
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Run a fatigue check (consecutive nights, quick returns, break placement) and a cost check (overtime and predictability pay scenarios).
Minute 20–30: publish, monitor, adjust
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Publish at least 14 days ahead where required; attach the rota policy and contact point.
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Track actual vs planned hours, last-minute edits (for premiums), and swap approvals. Schedule a review after 4 weeks with your H&S rep and payroll.
Make 4-on-3-off work with Shiftbase
Running long shifts is easier when planning, hours, and leave live in one place. Shiftbase helps you template the rota, publish it early, capture actual hours and breaks, and keep absence rules clear—so compliance and costs stay under control.
- Plan with confidence. Build and reuse rota templates in employee scheduling, set minimum staffing per shift, and allow controlled swap requests with manager approval.
- Track what really happens. Record start/finish times, breaks, overtime and premiums in time tracking, then export clean reports for payroll and audits.
- Keep leave visible. See holiday, sickness and TOIL alongside the rota with absence management, so you avoid gaps on 12-hour blocks and protect rest periods.
👉 Ready to try it on your rota? Start a free 14-day trial and get your first 4-on-3-off template live today.
