2-2-3 Schedule: What Is It & How It Could Work for Your Business
bySetting up the right work schedule for your business is no small task. The wrong system can lead to coverage gaps and high turnover. If your current framework isn’t meeting your company’s needs, it’s time for a change. And a 2-2-3 schedule might be the ideal solution.
Below is a close look at what a 2-2-3 schedule is. You’ll see how it works and the benefits it can provide. You’ll also see some of its drawbacks and gain some tips to help you decide whether it’s a good fit for your business.
Key takeaways:
- A 2-2-3 schedule is a rotating shift pattern
- It ensures 24/7 coverage while providing additional days off
- Industries such as healthcare and manufacturing often use the 2-2-3 schedule
- Benefits include improved planning and better shift coverage
- Employee scheduling software like When I Work makes it easy to set up a 2-2-3 schedule
Table of contents
- What is a 2-2-3 schedule?
- Examples of a 2-2-3 schedule in practice
- Business benefits of implementing a 2-2-3 schedule
- Common challenges with the schedule
- Should your business use a 2-2-3 schedule? Questions to consider
- How employee scheduling software helps you implement and manage 2-2-3 schedules
- Save valuable time on the employee schedule with the help of When I Work
What is a 2-2-3 schedule?
The 2-2-3 framework is a popular type of rotating schedule. Employees work two days, have two days off, then work three more days. The cycle then flips, so employees get alternating weekends off.
Businesses that are open 24/7 benefit most from the 2-2-3 framework. That’s why it’s most often used in healthcare and manufacturing. But companies that are open for 12 hours each day of the week could also adopt the 2-2-3 framework. A customer service center is a great example.
Examples of a 2-2-3 schedule in practice
Here are two examples of what a 2-2-3 schedule looks like in action:
Healthcare industry example
A 2-2-3 schedule makes it so that hospital nurses and support staff are available around the clock. Let’s say the 2-2-3 rotation begins on a Monday, and nurses in Group A work the following schedule:
- Work Monday and Tuesday
- Off Wednesday and Thursday
- Work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Group B would work on Group A’s off days (and vice versa), and the schedules switch every week. The result is that everyone has three straight days off every other weekend.
Manufacturing industry example
A factory with ongoing production lines may set a 2-2-3 schedule for machine operators. Rotating shifts every two to three days would help avoid major fatigue among workers.
Business benefits of implementing a 2-2-3 schedule
A 2-2-3 schedule can provide great benefits for your business and team. Here are some potential advantages:
Consistent coverage
A 2-2-3 schedule ensures you have reliable coverage around the clock. It prevents business slowdowns and helps boost productivity.
Improved employee satisfaction
A 2-2-3 schedule can be great for employee morale. Workers with 8-hour shifts have 92 days off per year, on average. Those on 2-2-3 schedules enjoy 182 days off per year. (These figures do not include any vacation time.)
Better planning and efficiency
Rotating schedules also promote workforce optimization. You can predict labor needs and lower the risk of last-minute schedule changes.
Lower turnover rates
More time off can lessen feelings of burnout and fatigue. Employees can use that extra rest to promote a better work-life balance.
Optimized costs
A 2-2-3 schedule can give you more control of overtime payments and labor costs. You can track employee hours with ease and make changes to keep those numbers down.
Common challenges with the schedule
There is no such thing as a perfect schedule; every shift framework has its pros and cons. Some common challenges associated with the 2-2-3 schedule include the following:
Scheduling logistics
Managing rotations demands careful planning. Filling gaps when someone calls out or takes vacation makes scheduling logistics tricky.
Risk of under/overstaffing
The 2-2-3 schedule works best when each shift includes a few extra workers. It’s a kind of flexibility that gives you a cushion in case someone calls out. But you don’t want to include too many extra people on your shift. That will lead to overstaffing and drive up your payroll costs.
Let’s say a shift needs to have at least 18 employees. Staffing it with 20 would allow two people per shift to take vacation.
Difficulty scaling
Scaling the 2-2-3 schedule as your business grows can be hard. Suppose that you expand your facility. You’ll need to know how many people to hire for each shift and how to spread them out. That can be tough and place a strain on your workforce.
Potential employee conflicts
Some employees may face childcare or personal life challenges when working longer shifts. Talk to your team and consider their needs before enforcing a 2-2-3 schedule.
Should your business use a 2-2-3 schedule? Questions to consider
Do you think that a 2-2-3 schedule might be a great fit for your business? Here are some questions to discuss with your leadership team:
Does this schedule fit our business model?
If your company needs 24/7 coverage, the 2-2-3 schedule is a great option. You can also adopt it if your business is open 12 hours each day of the week.
Do other businesses in our industry use it?
Take a look at the schedules others in your industry are using. If most of your rivals are using a 2-2-3 schedule, you should be, too.
Will overlapping shifts be necessary for critical handoffs?
Manufacturing and healthcare businesses often need an overlap. Take a hospital that uses the 2-2-3 schedule for nurse staffing. Day shift nurses may work from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Night shift nurses would work from 7 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.. The 30-minute overlap eases the shift change and patient handoffs.
Do we have the tools or software to manage the complexities of a 2-2-3 schedule?
Managing a 2-2-3 schedule by hand is too complex and inefficient. If you are going to set rotating schedules, you need to have the right tools. Scheduling software can simplify shift tracking and ensure workforce optimization.
How employee scheduling software helps you implement & manage 2-2-3 schedules
Employee scheduling software makes putting together a 2-2-3 schedule quick and easy. You can build better schedules in minutes and ensure there are no gaps. Solutions like When I Work promote precise time tracking and enhanced labor management. The result is lower labor costs and happier employees.
How When I Work helps you create a 2-2-3 schedule in minutes
When I Work is loaded with tools designed to speed up the scheduling process. Some key features include the following:
Automated scheduling templates offer pre-built templates to ensure fair and consistent coverage and end the need to create schedules from scratch every cycle. When I Work provides pre-designed schedule templates you can customize for your team. A manufacturing manager can save hours each week by using a template that auto-populates shifts for all employees.
Employee availability tracking ensures the schedule respects everyone’s time-off preferences by making it easier to track individual availability. Employees add their availability to the app, and the software uses the data to make a schedule. Nurses in a hospital can work shifts based on their choices, resulting in higher satisfaction and less conflict.
Shift swapping and open shift management supports flexibility for employees to manage their schedules and eases the duty of managers to bear last-minute callouts. Employees can request shift swaps or claim open shifts through the mobile app. A team can handle an unexpected absence without manager intervention by using the shift swap feature.
Real-time notifications keep employees up-to-date about changes to their shifts and prevent miscommunication that can lead to missed shifts. Employees receive app notifications whenever changes occur. A retail team can avoid a scheduling gap by notifying an employee about a last-minute update.
Labor cost forecasting balances staffing needs with cost control to reduce overtime expenses and ensure budget adherence. When I Work analyzes scheduled hours and forecasts labor costs in real time. A public safety department can reduce its overtime costs by 15% by changing schedules based on cost insights.
These are a handful of examples of how When I Work creates better schedules faster. Managers can save up to 15 hours per week, reduce costs, and keep employees happy with When I Work.
Save valuable time on the employee schedule with the help of When I Work
When I Work is a versatile automatic scheduling tool that saves you time and prevents errors. Its team messaging app keeps everyone in the loop and facilitates shift swapping. And the built-in time clock provides visibility into labor costs, ensuring everyone gets proper pay.
Ready to set your own 2-2-3 schedule? When I Work supports many scheduling formats, including the 2-2-3 framework. Try When I Work for free today!
