Third Shift Hours: A Guide for Small Businesses

When time is the most precious resource you could have as a small business owner, it’s tempting to make some more by adding third shift hours to your team’s schedule. Perhaps a night shift is just what your business needs to get things done.

But exactly what is third shift and how will it affect your team? Do the benefits really outweigh the drawbacks for your particular business? 

Let's break down what third shift hours entail and how you can decide whether to implement them in your business.

What are third shift hours?

Third shift hours, also known as the night shift or graveyard shift, typically run from late evening to early morning. This shift usually starts around 11 PM and ends around 7 AM, though exact hours can vary depending on the industry and specific job requirements. Third shifts ensure continuous operations in businesses that need overnight workers.

Industries that frequently require third shift hours include: 

• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Security
• Transportation
• Retail
• Hospitality
• Foodservice
• Cleaning services
• Customer support

The third shift is often crucial for businesses that provide things like healthcare, security, or 24/7 services. However, working an overnight shift can especially impact employees’ health and productivity, and may involve additional business costs. 

What are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Shifts?

First shift hours

First shift hours, often referred to as the day shift, typically run from early morning to mid-afternoon. A common schedule for the first shift is from 7 AM to 3 PM or 8 AM to 4 PM. These hours align with traditional business hours, making it the most common shift for many industries.

Workers on first shift in your shift schedule get to benefit from a free evening that allows for personal activities and family time.  

Second shift hours

Second shift hours, also known as the afternoon or swing shift, typically start in the late afternoon and end around midnight. A typical second shift schedule might run from 3 PM to 11 PM or 4 PM to 12 AM. This shift bridges the gap between the first and third shifts, ensuring continuous operations in many workplaces.

Second shift jobs are common in industries that require extended hours of operation. Manufacturing plants, customer support centers, and hospitality services often have second shift positions. The second shift allows your business to serve customers who may only be free to visit your business after they finish their own 9-5s. 

Third shift hours

The remaining time after the first and second shift make up what is considered night shift hours, also known as the third shift or graveyard shift. So what hours are third shift? 11 PM to 7 AM or midnight to 8 AM are typical hours to ensure that operations continue uninterrupted through the night.

For employees, working the third shift can offer unique opportunities and challenges, making it a distinct experience compared to the first and second shifts. As always when scheduling shift work, business owners should abide by shift work laws outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) when scheduling third shift hours. 

What are the advantages of scheduling or working a third shift?

Both small business owners and employees have unique considerations to make when scheduling or choosing to accept third shifts. Here are a few benefits to having a third shift:

For employers:

• Provide more customer service: Are you in an industry where customers expect round-the-clock service? Scheduling a third shift means you can be more responsive to your customers. They’ll see you as a reliable option and may recommend your business over others that don’t offer overnight shifts. 
• Increase productivity: When your team has more time to work, more gets done. With an extra shift, your team will meet your business goals quicker. 
• Reduce team burnout: While working overtime can be another option to stretch the hours, your first- and second-shift employees won’t appreciate overtime becoming the norm. Help lift the load by distributing work to a third shift and your team’s morale will improve.

For employees: 

• Receive higher pay: Many employers offer a shift differential for overnight shifts, which means employees earn more per hour compared to first or second shift workers. This additional pay compensates for the unconventional hours and the challenges associated with working overnight. It's a straightforward way to boost income without needing to take on extra hours or a second job.
• Work compatible schedules: Beyond preference, there are many reasons employees might be unable to work the more common first and second shifts. For employees with childcare or caretaking responsibilities during the day, or those working multiple jobs, the third shift is a way to find flexible work that suits their schedules. 
• Easier commute: Some employees may find that rush hour is a nightmare not worth braving. Working off-peak hours can significantly reduce travel time, saving time, money, and stress. 

What are the challenges of scheduling or working third shift hours?

While it may seem like scheduling a third shift can benefit your business and offer employees unique perks, graveyard shift hours can also present additional complications. Here are some important things to keep in mind before implementing a third shift:

For employers: 

• Increased costs: Most obviously, hiring more workers means adding those costs to payroll. Employees working the graveyard shift may also expect shift differential pay for the more challenging work hours. But to really calculate the impact on your finances, make sure you factor in additional overhead, like the cost of utilities or additional supplies to support your overnight shift.
• Difficulty filling positions: Ultimately, non-traditional hours are not ideal for most workers. With a smaller pool of candidates, employee retention is even more important when you find the right team. Make sure you take care of your night shift employees so that you don’t have to deal with as much turnover. 
• Communication issues: When you have three shifts of workers, it’s easy for things to be missed or miscommunicated. And if your employees are feeling unsupported, morale will fall quickly. Make sure you use team communication tools and train managers and team members well so that everybody feels like they’re on the same page, regardless of shift.

For employees:

• Disrupted sleep: The experience of working nights and sleeping days is generally not easy on the body. Employees might find it hard to fall asleep when the sun is up even if they’re tired, leading to chronic fatigue, which can affect their overall health and performance at work.
• Health concerns: Speaking of which, good sleep is crucial to good health. Employees working third shift hours might find themselves developing sleep disorders that can follow them long after they’ve stopped working night shifts. 
• Impact on social and family life: Working the third shift often means an employee’s schedule conflicts with those of their family and friends, since they may need to sleep while everybody else is out and about. This can make it hard to spend quality time with loved ones, leading to feelings of isolation and decreased employee happiness.

Should you schedule a third shift in your business?

Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons of third shift hours, we come to the big question: should you add evening shift hours to your schedule? Before you change your next shift schedule, ask yourself: 

• Why do I want my business to stay open overnight? Will I meet my business goals by doing so? 
• What costs will I incur by adding a third shift? Are they sustainable and worth the price?
• Do my customers expect overnight support? 
• How will I manage my team? Will I need to hire workers? And will my employees rotate shifts or work each shift independently?

Adding a third shift is a unique decision for each small business. And it’s possible that now is not the time, but you will want to add them in the future. Make sure to do your research and do the math so that any schedule changes you make benefit your business. 

How to make overnight shifts work for your business and team. 

If you do decide to move forward with the addition of third shifts in your team’s schedule, here are some ways you can ease the transition and make the most of the change: 

• Train your employees. Your overnight shift may face certain challenges that differ from daytime shifts. Make sure your employees are prepared for any incidents or safety risks that might arise from having a smaller team at night.
• Incentivize third shift hours. If you’re having trouble hiring or convincing existing employees to take on the night shift, provide incentives like benefits or increased pay. This will ensure you get quality candidates for the role. 
• Foster open communication. Schedule check-ins at the start or end of the shift to discuss any issues, updates, or feedback so that team members feel heard and valued, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Make sure to use communication tools so that everyone can be on the same page even if they’re not in the same place at the same time.
• Prioritize employee well-being. Ensure that your team takes regular breaks to rest and recharge to help prevent burnout and keep energy levels high throughout the shift. Offer resources and support to show your commitment to your team's well-being, including around healthy sleep habits. Make sure your team knows where to find these resources and how to use them.
• Recognize and reward performance. Acknowledge the hard work and dedication required to work these hours. Gestures like thank-you notes or public acknowledgments can go a long way in boosting morale. Highlight achievements in team meetings or through internal communications so that the invisible contributions become visible.

Add third shift hours without the admin.

Feeling ready to take on the night with your small business team? No doubt you’ve already started thinking about the logistics that come with adding a new shift. The benefits sound great, but getting it all set up might sound like a pain. 

That’s what Homebase is for. From hiring and onboarding to an easy time clock to a payroll tool that connects directly to your scheduling system, our all-in-one hourly team management tool will take a load off your plate so that you can focus your attention on all the ways a third shift can help your business grow. Get started for free today.

Let's make work easier for you and your team. Get started today with Homebase by signing up at Homebase. We simplify scheduling, time clocks, payroll, and more so you can focus on what matters most—your business.