How a 5 on 2 off schedule works

The roster

One row per team, one column per day of the cycle. The cycle then repeats.

Shifts per 7-day cycle

How the roster works

Set a single day shift from 9 am to 6 pm with a one hour break, giving eight worked hours. Across a seven day week three teams take their offs on different days: Team A reads DDDDDOO, off at the weekend; Team B reads DOODDDD, off midweek; Team C reads DDDOODD, off later in the week. Because no two teams rest on the same pair of days, at least two teams work each day, so the shift is always covered. Each person still works five days and rests two, keeping the familiar rhythm.

• D is the day shift, 9 am to 6 pm.
• O is a rest day; each person gets two a week.
• Three teams take their two offs on different days.
• At least two teams work on any given day.

Hours per week worked out

Each employee works five 8 hour days, which is 40 hours a week. That sits below a 48 hour ceiling and each day is at the eight hour ordinary day, so there is normally no overtime. Work called on a rest day or beyond eight hours is overtime at twice the ordinary wage rate with consent. This is the easiest schedule to run for payroll, since the paid days are steady and the two day break is regular, making leave and comp off simple to track.

Who it suits

Five on, two off suits offices, banks, IT teams, stores and support desks. For a five day office it is the default, with a common Saturday and Sunday off. For a seven day business, staggering the offs across teams keeps the counter or ward open while giving each person a proper two day break. The main task is fair rota planning, so weekend offs are shared and not always taken by the same people. Rotate the weekend rest so no team is stuck working every Saturday.

Pros

• The familiar five day week is easy to run.
• Two rest days each week aid recovery.
• Staggered offs keep a seven day business open.
• Forty hours a week leaves room under the ceiling.
• Steady paid days make payroll simple.

Cons

• Weekend offs must be shared fairly.
• A seven day business needs at least three teams.
• Cover dips if too many take the same day off.
• Fixed days off suit some roles better than others.

Set it up in ZeniaHR

1. In the shift catalogue add the day shift with code, 9 to 6 timings, a one hour break so full day hours are eight, grace in and out, and a colour.
2. Set each team weekly off on different days using the weekly off pattern, or give a personal weekly off per employee, so a seven day business stays covered.
3. Assign in bulk over up to 92 days and open the day grid to confirm at least one team works every day of the week.
4. Keep the overtime policy ready so any work on a rest day or beyond eight hours is paid at or above twice the ordinary rate.
5. Use comp off so an employee who works a rest day can bank it and take time off later, granted by HR with an expiry.
6. For a five day office, set the same weekly off for everyone and let the holiday calendar feed attendance and payroll for the closed days.

Frequently asked questions