How does the Pitman schedule work?

The Pitman schedule, also called the 2-3-2 schedule, is a shift management system that ensures consistent staffing levels around the clock. There are two versions of the Pitman schedule, and both require four teams working 12 hours per shift.

Pitman fixed schedule

The Pitman fixed schedule has all four teams working a fixed two-week timetable. Two teams work only day shifts, while the other two work night shifts.

Teams one (day team) and two (night team) work the following shift pattern:

• Work 2 days
• 2 days off
• Work 3 days
• 2 days off
• Work 2 days
• 3 days off

Meanwhile, teams three (day shift) and four (night shift) work the following shift pattern:

• 2 days off
• Work 2 days
• 3 days off
• Work 2 days
• 2 days off
• Work 3 days

Rotating Pitman schedule

Alternatively, managers can use a rotating schedule to rotate teams between day and night shifts. The structure of the rotating Pitman schedule is similar, except each team does day shifts for two weeks and night shifts for two weeks in every 28-day cycle.

You may hear this type of Pitman team management referred to as 2-2 3-2 2-3 because it describes the pattern of days on and off. For example, team one would work the following shift pattern:

• Week 1 and 2 (Days): Work 2 days, 2 days off, work 3 days, 2 days off, work 2 days, 3 days off
• Week 3 and 4 (Nights): Work 2 days, 2 days off, work 3 days, 2 days off, work 2 days, 3 days off

Team two’s shift pattern would be identical to team one’s. However, they would work nights on weeks one and two and work days on weeks three and four to ensure round-the-clock coverage.

The third and fourth teams would work on the first and second teams’ days off. Team three would start on days, and team four would start on nights.

Which industries use Pitman team management?

Businesses and public service employers operating outside regular 9-5 business hours often use the Pitman schedule to ensure consistent staffing. Pitman team management ensures each employee receives enough time off to ensure predictable sleep patterns and a better work-life balance.

Generally, the Pitman schedule is only suitable for relatively large organizations with enough employees to manage absence and vacation coverage while sticking broadly to the same consistent schedule. Examples may include:

• Police forces
• Ambulance services
• Dispatchers
• Hospitals
• Customer care
• Manufacturing
• Airlines

What are the benefits of the Pitman schedule?

The Pitman schedule offers several advantages that could benefit your employees and your business. These may include:

Better work-life balance

One of the primary benefits of both Pitman team management systems is that employees get more full days off than they would while working a standard five-day week of eight-hour shifts. Workers get around 15 days off work per month on the Pitman schedule compared to eight days in a typical working month.

Furthermore, all employees have two weeks per month with only two work days. This pattern allows them to book vacation leave for their two working days on those weeks to enjoy an entire week off work. They also get every other weekend off work, making it easier to schedule time with family and participate in leisure activities.

Improved attendance

Enabling your employees to improve their work-life balance can positively impact workplace attendance. A 2021 meta-analysis examining the relationship between work-life balance arrangements and organizational performance concluded that employee attendance generally improves when companies support their workers in achieving an optimal work-life balance.

For example, the amount of time off enabled by the Pitman schedule can make it easier for employees to arrange medical appointments and family commitments around their work schedule. Therefore, they could be less likely to take unplanned leave to cover other commitments. Predictable shift patterns can also allow working parents to plan more robust childcare arrangements.

Enhanced organizational performance

Another major advantage of enabling a healthy work-life balance with the Pitman schedule is that it can enhance multiple aspects of your organization’s performance. The 2021 meta-analysis identified the following potential benefits to companies:

• Improved employee engagement and commitment
• Increased productivity
• Enhanced employee retention
• Easier employee recruitment

What are the drawbacks of the Pitman schedule?

Implementing the Pitman schedule can be a positive experience if it suits your employee and organizational needs. However, there are also potential drawbacks. Understanding the common sticking points of the Pitman schedule can help you decide if it’s right for your company and generate plans to deal with setbacks.

Long hours

The flip side to extra days off is long hours. Employees on the Pitman schedule work 12-hour shifts, which could be exhausting. While some employees may feel that more time away from work makes the long hours worth it, others may find that it causes them to burn out.

Another factor to consider is that employees may prefer not to take overtime when they already work long days. A lack of overtime availability could become an issue when you need to arrange coverage for sick or vacation leave.

Health impacts

Research shows that working long hours can have a negative impact on employees’ health. Conditions associated with longer shifts include:

• Fatigue
• Low mood
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Coronary heart disease
• Anxiety
• Depression

However, the Pitman schedule could be preferable to other shift work patterns because its predictability can help promote healthier sleep habits. Often, shift work leads to sleep deprivation, which can cause poor performance and increase the risk of workplace injuries.

Sleep deprivation can also cause a broad range of health problems, including gastrointestinal issues, heart attacks and certain cancers. Therefore, implementing the Pitman schedule could help employees avoid some of the issues associated with shift work.

Taking measures to protect your employees’ well-being can help you minimize the impact of the Pitman schedule on their health. For example, you could ensure all employees receive adequate breaks and provide a comfortable area for night workers to nap during downtime. You could also consider investing in health-related benefits to reduce the risk of health problems associated with extended hours.

Overtime payments

Implementing the Pitman schedule could impact your overtime budget. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires many employers, unless specifically exempted, to pay 1.5x the hourly rate for every hour worked over 40 hours per week. Furthermore, several states have daily overtime laws that require employees to pay overtime after a certain shift length.

FAQs

How many hours a week is the Pitman schedule?

Employees working on the Pitman schedule work 60 hours during week one and 24 hours during week two (or vice versa). Therefore, employees work 42 hours per week on average.

What is the 2-2-3 schedule?

The 2-2-3 shift schedule, also known as the Panama schedule, is an alternative to the Pitman schedule. The structure is similar and requires night and day teams. However, workers on a 2-2-3 schedule work two days, have two days off and then work three days.

What is the best 24/7 shift schedule?

There are several common 24/7 shift patterns, and each has advantages and disadvantages. While there’s no perfect option, the best schedule suits your organization’s needs as well as possible while promoting your employees’ well-being. Many companies prefer the Pitman schedule because it helps their employees achieve a better work-life balance, which in turn offers several organizational performance benefits.

structure is similar and requires night and day teams. However, workers on a 2-2-3 schedule work 2 days, have 2 days off and then work 3 days.

What is the best 24/7 shift schedule?

There are several common 24/7 shift patterns, and each has advantages and disadvantages. While there’s no perfect option, the best schedule suits your organization’s needs as well as possible while promoting your employees’ well-being. Many companies prefer the Pitman schedule because it helps their employees achieve a better work-life balance, which in turn offers several organizational performance benefits.