Short answer: a 12-hour shift schedule covers 24 hours with two shifts a day, usually rotated across four teams. The most common patterns are the 2-2-3 (Pitman), DuPont, 4-on-4-off and “three 12s”. Most average 36 to 42 hours per week, so overtime depends on how the hours fall into each workweek and on whether your state has daily overtime rules.
Twelve-hour shifts are common in manufacturing, warehouses, healthcare, security, utilities and public safety. They mean fewer handoffs and more days off, but they also make scheduling and overtime easy to get wrong. This guide compares the main rotations and explains the overtime rules that matter.
Common 12-hour shift rotations
| Schedule | Pattern | Teams for 24/7 | Average hours per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-2-3 (Pitman) | 2 days on, 2 off, 3 on, then 2 off, 2 on, 3 off (14-day cycle) | 4 | 42 |
| DuPont | 4 nights on, 3 off, 3 days on, 1 off, 3 nights on, 3 off, 4 days on, 7 off (28-day cycle) | 4 | 42 |
| 4-on-4-off | 4 shifts on, 4 days off (8-day cycle) | 4 | 42 |
| Three 12s | 3 shifts of 12 hours per week, days chosen per schedule | Varies | 36 |
2-2-3 (Pitman) schedule
Each employee works seven 12-hour shifts every 14 days (84 hours). Every other weekend is a three-day weekend, which many employees like. The trade-off: one week usually has 36 hours and the next has 48, so the long week includes 8 overtime hours for non-exempt employees under the federal 40-hour rule.
DuPont schedule
The DuPont rotation mixes day and night blocks over 28 days and ends with seven consecutive days off. It also averages 42 hours a week. Rotating between days and nights is demanding, so plan rest time when employees switch from nights to days.
4-on-4-off schedule
Employees work four 12-hour shifts, then have four days off. Because the cycle is eight days, the days off move through the week, and the number of hours in a given workweek changes from week to week. Track overtime per workweek rather than assuming a fixed pattern.
Three 12s
Common in hospitals and clinics: three 12-hour shifts a week for 36 hours, often with optional extra shifts. When an employee picks up a fourth shift, that week goes to 48 hours.
How overtime works with 12-hour shifts
Federal rule: overtime is weekly
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees generally earn at least one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. A 12-hour day by itself does not create overtime under federal law. What matters is the total in a fixed, recurring seven-day workweek. The way you set the workweek start can change which weeks are 36 hours and which are 48. Learn more in our guide to FLSA overtime rules.
State daily overtime
Some states add daily overtime, which matters a lot for 12-hour shifts:
- California generally requires overtime for hours over 8 in a workday and double time over 12, unless a valid alternative workweek schedule applies.
- Alaska generally requires daily overtime after 8 hours for covered employers.
- Nevada requires daily overtime after 8 hours in a 24-hour period for certain lower-wage employees, with exceptions for some agreed schedules.
- Colorado requires overtime for hours over 12 in a workday or 12 consecutive hours, as well as over 40 in a workweek.
Special federal systems
- Hospitals and residential care (8/80): by agreement, employers may use a 14-day period and pay overtime after 8 hours a day or 80 hours in the period.
- Law enforcement and fire protection (7(k)): public agencies may use work periods of 7 to 28 days with different overtime thresholds.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Overtime, meal break and rest rules vary by state and industry. Confirm the rules that apply to your workforce.
Example: overtime on a 2-2-3 schedule
An hourly employee earns $22 per hour and works a 2-2-3 rotation. In week one they work 3 shifts (36 hours); in week two they work 4 shifts (48 hours). Under the federal weekly rule (and no state daily overtime):
- Week one: 36 × $22 = $792
- Week two: 40 × $22 = $880 plus 8 × $33 = $264, for $1,144
In a state with daily overtime, the same shifts may produce overtime on every 12-hour day. Run your own numbers with the free overtime calculator.
Tips for running 12-hour shifts
- Fix the workweek and build the rotation around it so overtime is predictable.
- Plan breaks. Federal law does not require meal breaks, but many states do. Record unpaid meal periods accurately.
- Protect rest between shifts, especially when switching from nights to days.
- Control extra shifts. Picking up one extra 12-hour shift adds 12 hours, often all at overtime.
- Use clean handoffs at shift change so nothing is lost between teams.
- Track actual hours, not just the schedule. Late relief and early starts add up over 12-hour shifts.
Working nights? See our guide to overnight shift time tracking.
How EZTime helps with 12-hour schedules
EZTime scheduling supports recurring shifts, so you can build a rotation once and repeat it, then handle shift swaps and time-off requests in the app. Employees clock in from the mobile app, a tablet kiosk, SMS or NFC tags, and managers get overtime alerts before an extra shift pushes someone over 40 hours. Plans start at $2 per employee per month with a 14-day trial. See pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common 12-hour shift schedule?
The 2-2-3 (Pitman) rotation is one of the most widely used. Four teams cover 24/7 with 12-hour shifts, and each employee averages 42 hours per week over a 14-day cycle: one week of 36 hours and one week of 48 hours.
Do 12-hour shifts mean automatic overtime?
Not under federal law. The FLSA generally requires overtime for non-exempt employees only for hours over 40 in a workweek, not for long days. Some states, such as California, Alaska, Nevada (for certain employees) and Colorado, have daily overtime rules, so a 12-hour day can trigger overtime there.
How many hours a week is a 2-2-3 schedule?
Over a full 14-day cycle each employee works seven 12-hour shifts, or 84 hours, which averages 42 hours a week. Depending on how the workweek is set, that is usually one 36-hour week and one 48-hour week, with 8 overtime hours in the longer week.
Can hospitals use a different overtime period for 12-hour shifts?
Under the FLSA 8/80 system, hospitals and residential care facilities may, by agreement with employees, use a 14-day period and pay overtime for hours over 8 in a day or 80 in the period. Specific conditions apply, so confirm with counsel.