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6 on 3 off vs 6 on 2 off
Identical working blocks. One day of difference in the break. That single day changes the average week by roughly five hours.
| 6 on 3 off | vs | 6 on 2 off |
|---|---|---|
| The cycle | ||
| 8 hours | Shift length | 8 hours |
| 9 or 18 days | Cycle length | 8 or 16 days |
| 37.3 hours | Average week | 42 hours |
| 6 | Shifts in a row | 6 |
| 3 days | Longest break | 2 days |
| Recovery | ||
| Yes | Three days off after six shifts | No |
| Yes | Enough recovery after a night block | NoMostly sleep |
| No | Fatigue carries into the next block | Yes |
| Money | ||
| No | More base hours on the roster | YesAbout 42 a week |
| No | Built above forty hours | Yes |
One day, five hours
Both patterns work six shifts in a row. One takes three days off afterwards, the other takes two. That is the entire difference, and it moves the average week from about thirty-seven hours to about forty-two.
It also changes the cycle length, from nine days to eight, so the two patterns drift through the week at different rates. Neither lands on the same weekdays twice.
Six in a row is the hard part either way
The sixth shift is where both of these are decided, and on a night block it is a long way from the first. The question is only what waits at the end of it.
Two days after six nights is thin. Officers on that pattern will tell you the first day is sleep and the second is getting ready to go back.
Which one you want depends on what you need
If the money matters more, 6 on 2 off is built above forty hours and pays accordingly. If recovery matters more, the extra day on 6 on 3 off is the most valuable day in either cycle.
Full detail on each pattern: 6 on 3 off schedule · 6 on 2 off schedule
The shift schedule you actually work
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