Detailed guide
How to use the shift and duty schedule calculator
Project a rotating shift cycle
The start date is treated as the first working day in the selected cycle. Under a two-days-on, two-days-off pattern, two shift days are followed by two rest days before the cycle begins again, regardless of the weekdays involved.
Several common block patterns are available. Hours per shift are multiplied by all scheduled shifts. The detailed preview shows the first 42 dates, while the summary figures cover the complete selected range.
Step by step
Worked example: a four-on, four-off cycle
A cycle contains four shift days followed by four days off. It is projected over 16 days at 8 hours per shift.
- 1 One complete cycle covers eight calendar days.
- 2 It repeats twice within 16 days.
- 3 That produces eight shift days and eight days off.
Result: 8 shifts or 64 scheduled working hours.
Identify public holidays in the roster
Country and region determine which holidays are compared with the rotating plan. If a holiday falls on a calculated shift day, it increases the holiday-shift count. A holiday during a rest block does not change the roster.
The calculator neither moves shifts nor calculates premiums. It highlights overlaps so they can be assessed under workplace rules. For regional holidays, select the region of the actual place of work.
Assumptions and practical limits
Every cycle begins on its first workday. For an existing roster, choose a date known to be cycle day one. Swapped duties, leave, sickness, standby work and distinctions between early, late and night shifts are not stored.
A calculation may cover up to 366 days. Binding staffing plans must also account for working-time law, rest periods, collective agreements and workplace approval processes.