Pitman shift schedule

What is the Pitman Shift Schedule?

The Pitman shift schedule (also known as the 2-3-2 pattern) is a 12-hour rotating shift pattern that uses 4 teams to provide 24/7 coverage. It's designed to offer a more balanced distribution of work days and days off compared to other patterns, with every other weekend off for each team.

How the Pitman Schedule Works

The 14-Day Cycle

Each team follows this repeating 2-week pattern:

Simplified: 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off (repeating)

Detailed Breakdown

Week 1: Work 2 days, off 2 days, work 3 days, off 2 days
Week 2: Work 2 days, off 3 days, then the pattern repeats

Shift Rotation

Teams rotate between day and night shifts every 2 weeks:

• Weeks 1-2: Day shift (or night shift)
• Weeks 3-4: Night shift (or day shift)
• Pattern continues alternating

Example 4-Team Schedule

Key Statistics

• Annual Hours: ~2,184 hours (42 hours/week average)
• Shifts per Year: 182 shifts
• Days Off per Year: 183 days
• Every Other Weekend: Off every second weekend
• Rotation Period: 2 weeks between day/night switches

Advantages

For Employees

• Every other weekend off: Predictable weekend time
Never work more than 3 consecutive days: Easier to manage fatigue
• Regular 3-day weekends: Every two weeks
• Frequent breaks: No long stretches without time off
• Predictable pattern: Easy to plan personal life

For Employers

• Continuous coverage: 24/7 operations maintained
• Balanced workload: Fair distribution across teams
• Reduced fatigue: Never more than 3 consecutive shifts
• Employee satisfaction: Popular pattern for work-life balance

Disadvantages

For Employees

• Frequent rotation: Switch shifts every 2 weeks
• 12-hour shifts: Long days can be tiring
• Alternating weekends: Work every other weekend
• Adjustment period: Frequent day/night switches

For Employers

• Complex scheduling: More complex than simple patterns
• Training requirements: Need 4 trained teams
• Handover frequency: More shift changes mean more handovers

Pitman vs. DuPont Comparison

Industries Using Pitman

• Healthcare: Hospitals and nursing
• Manufacturing: Continuous production
• Public Safety: Police and fire departments
• Utilities: Power and water treatment
• Transportation: Some logistics operations
• Customer Service: 24/7 call centers

Best Practices

• Forward rotation: Rotate days → evenings → nights
• Consistent start times: Keep shift start times consistent
• Adequate rest: Ensure 11+ hours between shifts
• Weekend equity: Track weekend distribution across teams
• Health monitoring: Watch for fatigue with frequent rotations

Related Tools

• Shift Calendar Generator - Generate Pitman schedules
• 4-on 4-off Pattern - Simpler alternative
• DuPont Schedule - Similar 12-hour pattern

FAQ

Q: Why is it called Pitman?
A: The schedule was developed for and named after the Pitman company, though the exact origin is less documented than DuPont.

Q: Is Pitman or DuPont better?
A: It depends on preference. Pitman offers more frequent shorter breaks and never more than 3 consecutive work days. DuPont offers longer breaks (7 days) but up to 4 consecutive work days.

Q: How quickly do teams rotate between day and night shifts?
A: In Pitman, teams switch every 2 weeks. In DuPont, it's every 4 weeks. Some prefer Pitman's more frequent rotation to avoid long periods on nights.

Q: Can I get every weekend off with Pitman?
A: No, Pitman gives every other weekend off. For every weekend off, you'd need a 5-team pattern or day-only shifts.