Friday, July 20, 2018

What is work schedule?

Work schedule includes the days and times that an employee is expected to be working. There are several types of work schedules and they vary from the company and the job itself. The type of schedule is usually explained during a job interview. If your employer does not mention it, it would be good to check before accepting the job offer.

The most common work schedule is full time and part time work schedule. Most companies require a consistent work schedule to fulfill the business needs. Work schedule like rotating and fixed work schedule is not as common but can found in companies that run their business 24-hours. Flexible work schedule is not common and not many companies like this work schedule due to its disadvantages.

Type of work schedule:
  1. Full-time work schedule
  2. Part-time work schedule
  3. Fixed work schedule
  4. Rotating work schedule
  5. Flexible work schedule

Full time work schedule is common in the workforce. Full-time employees are required to commit to 40 – 44 hours per week. It is about 8 to 9 hours per day, for example, 9AM to 6AM or 8.30AM to 6PM. Schedules can vary but the shifts are usually the same. Full-time employees are eligible for work benefits e.g. leave, sick leave, health insurance and etc.

The number of hours worked for part-time work schedule is less than full-time staff. Part-time work benefits people who have to spend more time with their family, or they may be students. Part-time employees may not be included in benefits that are offered to full-time employees.

Fixed work schedule requires an employee to work the same amount of hours for a specified period of days. An employee, who is assigned to work the same hours each night, is not able to switch over to dayshifts (unless there is a mutual swap of shifts with another employee). Fixed work schedules stay consistent for the number of hours and days which is agreed upon by both manager and employee.

Rotating work Schedule is commonly seen in hospitals, construction work, the manufacturing sector, hotel and etc. Rotating shifts require employees to work at different times based on the type of work required. The shift cycle can be weekly or quarterly and hours worked between day shifts, night or overnight shift.

Flexible work schedule is less rigid in comparing with fixed schedules. Employees are required to work for the number of hours/ days of the week they have committed to the company. This allows employees to come in any time, as long as they complete the required and agreed hours of work every day/week.