Panama schedule

Panama schedule (in shift work): A 14-day cycle with 2-2-3 work-rest pattern.

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Panama schedule

This rotating shift pattern follows a 14-day cycle. It involves two days on, two days off, three days on, and so on. This pattern ensures balanced work and rest periods, typically used in industries that require 24/7 coverage, like healthcare or manufacturing.

What is a Panama schedule

Also known as the 2-2-3 schedule, this continuous shift schedule is used in 24/7 operations. It’s designed to provide round-the-clock coverage while giving employees a balanced pattern of work and time off. It’s named “Panama” because it was reportedly first implemented for workers in the Panama Canal Zone.

Across a 14-day cycle, employees work two consecutive days, rest for two days, return for a three-day stint, and then rotate this pattern in reverse. This 2-2-3 schedule ensures employees work only half of the days in a two-week period, and this cycle repeats throughout the year.

Example of a Panama schedule

The schedule typically alternates between day and night shifts.

2 shifts, 2 off, 3 shifts
2 off, 2 shifts, 3 off

Week 1: D D - - N N N 
Week 2: - - D D - - - 
Week 3: N N - - D D D 
Week 4: - - N N - - - 

(Where D = Day shift, N = Night shift, – = Day off)

1. 14-day repeating cycle
2. Employees work an average of 42 hours per week over the two-week period
3. Shifts are typically 12 hours long
4. Provides 24/7 coverage with four crews
5. Employees get every other weekend off (Fri, Sat, Sun)
6. Balances workdays and days off throughout the cycle

It may sound perfect on paper, but it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. While the schedule does offer long rest periods, it can disrupt employees’ sleep cycles due to potential night shifts. It’s essential to weigh how this schedule might affect workforce health and engagement versus operational needs.

For example, if you’re in retail and don’t actually need 24/7 on-call staff, implementing a Panama schedule might be overkill. Your costs might go up without adding much efficiency. On the other hand, for teams that need round-the-clock staffing, it’s an efficient system that people can adjust to relatively well.

Best practices

• Ensure your employees understand the cycle’s pattern. It’s easy to get lost in the mix of which days are on and which are off. Using shift-scheduling software here could help avoid confusion and frustrations.
• Balance fairness, especially in night shifts: Make sure to distribute weekend and night shifts evenly among the team. No one should feel they’re constantly pulling the short straw.
• Monitor workload impact constantly: Keep an eye out for signs of fatigue and burnout. Check in with the team; some might need more time to adjust than others, and employee well-being impacts productivity.

Common pitfalls

• Assuming adaptation is instant: While the rotation seems intuitive, not every person immediately gets accustomed to alternating workweeks. Offer support during the adjustment period.
• Ignoring personal preferences: Some people might prefer a more consistent weekly schedule. While the Panama system works for operational needs, allowing minor flexibility when requests come in goes a long way.
• Poor tracking of compliance: When you’re rotating shifts like this, it’s easy to overlook compliance with overtime laws or rest-period requirements. Automate this where you can, and keep solid documentation of hours worked in relation to breaks.

How we can help

The Panama schedule fits some operational needs perfectly, but not every work environment will benefit from it. Depending on how your operation runs, it might improve shifts—or bring unintended scheduling headaches.

When a basic roster is not enough, Zelos is a practical addition to your toolbox for shift exchange and extra shift signup. We’ve been refining the way our app supports shift managers like you leveraging different scheduling models. Why not see if Zelos Team Management can make flexible scheduling a breeze for your team? Sign up on our website for a free account; we’d love for you to give it a try!

 

Shift work glossary