What is Second Shift? (Definition, Example, Pros, and Cons)

What is a Second Shift?

A second shift, also known as a swing shift or afternoon shift, is a work schedule that typically runs from late afternoon to midnight. 

In many cases, it is scheduled in between the first shift (morning shift) — which usually starts in the morning and ends at lunchtime — and the third shift (night shift), which begins at night and goes until early morning. 

A second shift is often used by industries that require an extended production cycle or round-the-clock operations, such as hospitals, retail stores, manufacturing plants, or call centers. 

On a side note, the dictionary definition of second shift can refer to mothers working a full-time or part-time job during the day and then coming home to take care of household duties such as child care.

Typical Second Shift Hours

A second shift typically runs from 3 PM to 11 PM or 4 PM to 12 AM. However, the hours can vary depending on the industry, the needs of the business, and how long your business day is.

For example, some businesses may offer a “split shift,” which divides the second shift hours into two parts with a break in between. Or, for those businesses with extended hours, the second shift can start as late as 6 PM and end at 2 AM.

Benefits of Second Shift

Having a second shift has its advantages for both employers and employees compared to having only the traditional day shift.

For employers, it helps to increase production, as more hours are available for work to be done. Additionally, utilizing a second shift can help reduce overtime costs, making it more cost-effective than asking the first-shift employees to stay late.

For employees, working second shift hours comes with several benefits, including:

• Flexibility – Employees can balance their schedules if they need to take care of family or personal commitments during the day.

• Higher pay – Some employers offer a higher salary for working the second shift.

• Less traffic – Commuting is easier and quicker during off-peak hours than making it through the early morning rush hour traffic.

• More opportunities – Many businesses are looking for employees who can work the second shift, so more job opportunities may be available if you are willing to take it up.

Drawbacks of Second Shift

Working the second shift can come with drawbacks as well.

For companies, second-shift workers may be more costly due to overtime pay or offering shift differentials. 

Additionally, businesses may have difficulty finding qualified candidates who are willing to work shift jobs.

For the labor force, there can be a few other challenges too. For example: 

• Fatigue and lack of sleep – Working the second shift can disrupt your sleep schedule and lead to fatigue. In extreme cases, you may suffer from chronic sleep deprivation, which has a range of negative health effects.

• Lack of social life – With the second shift hours, you may struggle to find time to socialize with friends and family.

• Isolation – Working at night can be a lonely experience, as there are typically fewer people around than during the day shifts.

Industries that Use Second Shift

Various industries, such as healthcare, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing, use the second shift.

Healthcare facilities often rely on a second shift to cover regular duties, such as answering phones or staffing the emergency room. Retail stores also use a second shift to staff their evening and late-night shifts to accommodate customers who shop during those hours. 

Similarly, hospitality businesses usually utilize a second shift for jobs such as front desk clerks and housekeeping services. 

Manufacturing plants can use a second shift in different ways. For example, they can use it for production and maintenance purposes or for employees in the shipping and receiving departments who have to work late to get products out on time.

In addition to a second shift, many businesses that operate 24/7 may also employ a rotating shift system to ensure that there is staff working around the clock.

How to Make Second Shift Work for Your Team and Business

Introducing different shifts in your business can be beneficial, but it is important to ensure that it works for both your team and the business.

First, you should determine if you really need a second shift. If your business only requires additional staff for a few hours or days per month, for example, a second shift may not be the most cost-effective option.

If you decide to introduce a second shift anyway, it is important to ensure you do it right. 

Here are some tips to ensure it is successful:

1. Accommodate employees’ schedules: Managers should be flexible and accommodating when creating shift schedules to ensure the team can work around their commitments.
2. Offer incentives: Offering incentives such as higher wages or other bonuses for working the second shift can help entice workers who may otherwise not want to work late hours.
3. Proper training: Ensure employees receive proper training and understand their job tasks before they begin their shifts. This will help them feel more comfortable with what’s expected of them during the evening hours when fewer people are around.
4. Provide support: Managers must provide support and guidance to second-shift workers to create a safe, productive environment where everyone feels valued and respected regardless of the time of day or night they’re working.
5. Ensure safety measures are enforced: Managers should ensure safety protocols are enforced at all times, even during late-night shifts, to keep employees and customers safe from any potential hazards or risks associated with the location or task at hand.  
6. Monitor workloads: Regularly calculate employee hours worked to make sure they are not getting burnt out or overworked due to long hours.

Second Shift Frequently Asked Questions