How a rotating weekly off works

The roster

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

Shifts per 14-day cycle

How the roster works

Set a day shift from 9 am to 6 pm with a one hour break, so full day hours are eight. Over a 14 day view, Team A takes its weekly off on the seventh day one week and the sixth day the next, reading DDDDDDODDDDDOD. Team B takes its off midweek, on the third and tenth days, reading DDODDDDDDDDODD. Their rest days never fall together, so the shift is covered every day. Over a longer run the off day keeps shifting, so each person gets Sundays and weekdays off in turn rather than always the same day.

• D is the day shift, 9 am to 6 pm.
• O is the one weekly rest day.
• The rest day shifts from week to week.
• Teams rest on different days, so cover holds.

Hours per week worked out

Each employee works six 8 hour days a week, which is 48 hours. That sits at the common weekly ceiling, with each day at the eight hour ordinary day, so a clean roster carries little overtime; work on the rest day or beyond eight hours is overtime at twice the ordinary wage rate with consent. Because the weekly off moves, track it carefully so no one is missed and everyone gets a rest day every week. Rotating the off day also spreads the busy weekend load evenly.

Who it suits

A rotating weekly off suits retail, restaurants, salons, clinics and small factories that open all seven days but want each person on a six day week. It is fairer than fixing the off day, because the prized Sunday is shared. The task is planning, so cover stays even and nobody loses their weekly rest in a busy spell. Publish the rota in advance so staff can plan, and keep a clear record that each person got their weekly off.

Pros

• The popular Sunday off is shared across the team.
• A seven day business stays covered every day.
• Each person keeps a six day week with weekly rest.
• Rotating offs spread the weekend load evenly.

Cons

• A moving off day is harder to plan personal life around.
• The rota needs care so no one misses their rest.
• Forty eight hour weeks leave only one rest day.
• Fixed commitments on a set weekday are difficult.

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. Use the weekly off pattern per shift, or set a personal weekly off per employee, and change it week to week so the rest day rotates.
3. Assign in bulk over up to 92 days and open the day grid to confirm cover holds and each person has a weekly off every week.
4. Keep the overtime policy ready so work on a rest day or beyond eight hours is paid at or above twice the ordinary rate.
5. Use comp off when someone works their weekly off, so they can bank it and take a rest day later, granted by HR with an expiry.
6. Publish the roster ahead through the per employee roster and the app so staff can see their rotating off in advance.

Frequently asked questions