Clopening

Clopening (in shift work): Closing one shift and opening the next.

Clopening

Clopening combines the words “closing” and “opening” to describe a particularly demanding work schedule. Typically, an employee might finish closing duties at 11 PM and return to open the business at 7 AM the next day, leaving minimal time for rest and personal activities.

Clopening is particularly prevalent in:

Retail stores and shopping centers
Restaurants and fast-food establishments
Coffee shops and cafes
Hotels and hospitality services
Convenience stores and gas stations

The impact of clopening shifts

Working clopening shifts can lead to significant sleep deprivation. When factoring in commute time, post-closing duties, and pre-opening preparations, employees often get less than the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep.

While clopening remains a common practice in many industries, understanding its effects on employees and implementing proper management strategies is crucial for both worker well-being and business success. As awareness grows about the impacts on employee well-being, many businesses are adopting more sustainable scheduling practices:

Designated opening and closing teams
Mid-shift overlap periods
Split shifts with adequate breaks
Cross-training employees for various shifts
Flexible scheduling options

How we can help

It’s likely that most clopening shifts are scheduled when managers feel no other options are feasible. This can cause resistance in employees. With self-scheduling practices, it is possible that staff members commit to intense shifts by choice, either to get more days off later, or because they’re willing to be flexible in order to accommodate full coverage.

Zelos is a shift signup app that can facilitate complex roster planning and engage staff in self-scheduling. You can sign up for a free account on our website and see if it aligns with your needs.