Combined Shift Systems: How Companies Can Combine Flexibility and Planning Security

What are combined shift systems?

Combined shift systems connect multiple shift models within a company to accommodate different working time needs. They arise when employees work in different shift schedules – for example, alternating between two-shift, three-shift, or permanent night shift systems. In this way, complex staffing requirements and individual wishes can be better balanced.

When are combined shift systems worthwhile?

Companies benefit especially when a uniform model does not cover all operational or personnel requirements. Examples include production plants with fluctuating workloads or departments with different qualification levels. Here, the combination of different systems allows for precisely tailored workforce scheduling, which simultaneously creates fairer workload distributions.

Advantages and challenges

Advantages:

• Flexibility in personnel and capacity management
• Better coverage of fluctuating production times
• Flexible offerings for employees (e.g., with or without night shifts)
• Opportunity for targeted retention of skilled workers

Challenges:

• Complex assignment of employees to sub-systems
• Different surcharges, working hours, and contract models
• Increased communication and planning effort