What is third shift?

Third shift refers to overnight working hours. Although hours may vary across workplaces, third shift usually ranges from the late night to the early morning. Third-shift employees usually start work by 11pm and are finished by 7am. This is compared to first and second shifts, which refer to morning and afternoon hours, respectively.

Businesses may assign shifts using various methods. In some workplaces, employees rotate between first, second and third shifts and share them evenly. In others, workers may be able to use seniority to claim their preferred shift. Some businesses hire specifically for overnight shifts, meaning that these employees work only the third shift and don’t rotate to others.

Types of jobs that employ third-shift workers

Third shifts are commonly found in a variety of jobs. Emergency responders like police officers, paramedics and firefighters must be available to the public at all hours of the day. Other professionals like nurses and doctors must be present at healthcare facilities around the clock to respond to and care for patients.

Other common third-shift jobs include:

• Security guards
• Custodians
• Hotel managers and receptionists
• Pilots, air traffic controllers and other airline staff
• Taxi and rideshare drivers

Advantages of working the third shift

Although working a third shift isn’t always ideal, it does come with some benefits. Third-shift workers can enjoy advantages such as:

• Close workplace community: Small third-shift staffs generally create closer and more autonomous work environments.
• Better work-life balance : Working at night means employees have free time for daytime activities, such as school, family needs or hobbies.
• Fewer disruptions: Relatively few disruptions such as customer interactions or workplace meetings mean that employees can focus on their assigned tasks.
• Less competition: Third shifts are common entry points for workers looking to gain experience in otherwise competitive roles.

Disadvantages of working third shift

Employers generally offer perks and benefits to third-shift workers, since working overnight has some disadvantages. These drawbacks can include:

• Health concerns: Sleep is a major factor in short- and long-term health, and working overnight may cause emotional stress, cardiovascular issues and cognitive problems.
• Dietary issues: Working odd hours can lead to disrupted mealtimes for workers, and reduced access to food can result in resorting to unhealthy convenience foods and snacks too often.
• Reduced social interactions: While some people may welcome less social interaction, working overnight shifts can have an isolating effect for others.
• Work-life balance issues: While working overnight can free up time during the day, some employees may struggle to recover between shifts or have family issues from being unavailable at certain hours.

How to recruit and retain third-shift employees

Recruiting, hiring and retaining employees for the 3rd shift can be challenging, but implementing the following strategies may help with retention and performance.

Have straightforward expectations

When hiring for the third shift, it’s crucial to be straightforward about the expected hours. Ensure that prospective employees are aware of the role’s night shift obligations, and don’t promise alternative or flexible shift options if you’re not able to deliver. Otherwise, you may hire a third-shift worker only to later discover their schedule is incompatible.

Look for prior third-shift experience

Some applicants may feel suited for a third-shift position without knowing what working overnight actually entails. To check if applicants are a good match for third-shift roles, check their prior work experience. If they’ve worked night shifts before, they should know what to expect from a third-shift lifestyle.

Keep schedules consistent

Rotating frequently between first, second and third shifts can disrupt employees’ sleep cycles. This may lead to health consequences and also inhibit cognitive function, reducing productivity and creating potential safety risks in the workplace. By keeping employees working on the third shift consistently, you can help enable stable sleep cycles, better health and improved performance.

Benefits for third-shift employees

Emphasize value and community

It’s easy for third-shift employees to feel disconnected and isolated from the rest of the business’s culture. To counteract this, emphasize community and value for the third-shift team. Include them in matters that impact the entire workforce and provide the same benefits that daytime workers enjoy.

Provide advancement potential

Many people take on third-shift positions to get a foot in the door with their chosen career. Capitalize on and reward them for their motivation by providing opportunities for development and advancement. These individuals already demonstrate their initiative and ambition, suggesting their potential as longtime and valuable employees.

Offer third-shift pay

Businesses often offer pay incentives for working third shifts, sometimes up to 20% above regular daytime wages. Working third shifts may also give employees the opportunity for overtime hours, so they can maximize their night shift earnings.

Consider work-life balance

Offer employees flexible shift options to promote a healthy work-life balance . While some workers may be content with five eight-hour shifts, others may appreciate four 10-hour shifts in a week instead. This gives them either a three-day weekend or a day off between shifts, allowing them to recover from work and enjoy their personal life.

Encourage healthy eating and hydration

Since healthy meals and snacks are less accessible to those working at night, consider offering nutritionally balanced options on-site along with caffeinated and caffeine-free beverage choices and water.

Allow extra breaks

Extra breaks throughout the evening may help your workers perform better. Taking a few breaks during shifts can let your employees recharge and come back to their work with better focus and cognitive function. Be sure to provide a quiet, comfortable break area in the workplace, since employees likely can’t go elsewhere during the night.

Offer childcare options

Employees with families may need extra help with childcare. Some businesses provide on-site childcare facilities, while others offer financial support to help their third-shift workers with the cost of overnight childcare.

Read more: Mothers in the Workplace: 12 Ways Employers Can Attract and Retain Working Moms

Provide additional benefits

Show your third-shift workers their value by providing them with extra perks. Employees working at night and attending school during the day might appreciate tuition reimbursement , while those concerned with their health may benefit from on-site gym facilities.