Common Work Schedules Explained (2-2-3, 9/80, 4-10, DuPont)
Rotating and compressed schedules have confusing names. Here's what the most common ones, 2-2-3, 9/80, 4-10, and DuPont, actually mean.
2-2-3 (Panama) Schedule
The 2-2-3 schedule rotates in a two-week cycle: work 2 days, off 2, work 3, then off 2, work 2, off 3. Employees average ~42 hours/week on 12-hour shifts, giving every other weekend off, common in 24/7 operations like healthcare and manufacturing.
9/80 Schedule
A 9/80 schedule fits 80 hours into 9 days over two weeks: eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day, and one day off, typically every other Friday. The trick is setting the workweek to split that 8-hour day so it doesn't trigger overtime.
4-10 and DuPont
A 4-10 (compressed) schedule is four 10-hour days and a 3-day weekend. The DuPont schedule is a 4-week rotating 12-hour pattern for 24/7 coverage with a full week off each cycle. Both need care around daily-overtime states like California (1.5× after 8 hours/day).
FAQ
What is a 2-2-3 work schedule?
A rotating 12-hour schedule over two weeks, work 2 days, off 2, work 3, then off 2, work 2, off 3, averaging about 42 hours a week with alternating weekends off.
Does a 9/80 schedule cause overtime?
Not if you set the workweek to split the 8-hour day correctly. Done wrong, it can accidentally trigger overtime, so define the workweek carefully.
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