The scheduling system followed by every organization undergoes this question every now and then: How do we schedule our people? 

While some teams find fixed shifts a safe option, others believe in the system’s element of choice, fairness, and fun through a rolling rota. Both systems have their ardent supporters. Both could be right depending on workplace culture, operational requirements, and employee preferences. 

In this blog, we will discuss each system in detail, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. 

Then we weigh in on a choice as to which will fit your team. Consider that it is an informal competition between the two scheduling methods. The one that ends with an operative victory is just right for you. 

What is a Rolling Rota?

A rolling rota, also referred to as a rotating schedule, changes shift times or patterns in a set cycle. Employees take turns covering different time slots. Say, mornings one week, evenings the next, and the pattern repeats. 

Rolling rota examples include a cafe with three shifts (morning, noon, and evening), everybody would rotate each kind of shift. No one would be “stuck” in one slot forever.

What is a Fixed Shift?

In a fixed shift, the same individual works the same daily or weekly hours, so if a person is assigned to the morning shift, they will always have this shift unless there is some permanent change in the schedule. 

Example: An office assistant who works from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is always assigned to that shift with no exceptions.

Pros and Cons of a Rolling Rota

Now, we’ll discuss some merits and demerits of a rolling rota:

Pros

Let’s consider the advantages of rolling staff rota first:

• Fairness in workload sharing: Late nights, early mornings, and weekends are shared equally.
• Skill coverage: Everyone learns to do various shifts, which makes the team more versatile.
• Freshness & variety: Feeling fresh and varied with different hours can make work enjoyable.
• Better coverage: Peak demand that varies by time of the week means rotation will keep the employees aware of what happens in that time slot.
• Flexibility for employees: Over time, everybody gains fairly in terms of good and bad shifts.

Cons

Here are some disadvantages of the pattern:

• Difficult personal planning: Dealing with shift changes seriously compromises a person’s routine of predetermined hours.
• Poor health: Switching from a late-night shift to an early shift affects body health.
• Hard to manage: Highly complicated to plan to avoid conflicts.
• Difficult to maintain commitments: Employees may find it difficult to keep up with standard activities such as evening classes.
• Possible morale dips: Some people dislike irregularity, no matter how fair it is.

Pros and Cons of Fixed Shifts 

These are the merits and demerits of fixed shifts: 

Pros 

Let’s have a look at the advantages: 

• Predictable timings: Easier for employees to plan their personal lives. 
• Consistency of performance: Employees have the chance to work their body clock to the same time. 
• Less demanding for management: Less scheduling administration is needed, and fewer miscommunications lead to misunderstandings. 
• Matched Preferences: Most employees will choose shifts that suit them in the long run. 
• Stable relationships with customers/clients: Familiar faces build trust with the same set timing. 

Cons 

Talking of disadvantages, we have: 

• Unequal workload: There is a chance that one set is working the “tough” shifts all the time. 
• Limited experience: Staff may only be trained for a specific time slot. 
• Risk of boredom: Same hours every day can be very boring. 
• Inconvenient to cover absenteeism: If a specialist is ever on mornings, the cover would find it hard to come in for evenings. 
• Potential favouritism issues: A perception that some staff are getting “better” shifts.

Rolling Rota vs Fixed Shifts: Quick Comparison

When Rolling Rota Works Best 

Rolling rotas work well in workplaces where: 

• There are daily or weekly peaks in demand. 
• You want to rotate or equally enforce less desirable shifts. 
• Cross-training for many roles is essential. 
• Fairness in the schedule is extremely important. 

They very broadly suit agile sorts of teams, who like (or at least tolerate) the variety of shifts and are able to play around with different start and end times. 

When Fixed Shift Works Best

Fixed shifts work best in workplaces where:

• Routine is part of the personal commitments for the employees.
• Work hours are fairly predictable and stable.
• It is essential that the consistency serve a purpose in improved performance or a better relationship with clients.
• Scheduling has to be easy and low-friction.

They are contextually for people who appreciate stability and dislike the unknown time slots associated with varying shifts; hence, restricting flexibility.

Employee Perspective

Here is the summary to help you determine which shift pattern is suitable for you as an employee.

Rolling Rota Supporters

Many employees like the fairness in the rolling rota format. Some would argue it feels democratic. You experience a taste of every shift without being punished long-term in the “graveyard” slot. Some employees concede that the nature of rolling shifts prevents good sleep or may affect their normal hobbies as a consequence.

Fixed Shift Supporters

They are typically able to enjoy the +’s for predictability, consistency, and a routine, particularly the ones with young kids or other commitments. On the downside, if they land a shift they don’t like, they may feel stuck.  

How to Choose the Right System for Your Team

1. Understand your business needs

If you have busy hours that change from day to day, then a rolling roster is likely to provide more coverage. If your business usually has steady demand, then fixed shifts could be a more efficient choice.

2. Know your people

Engage your team and ask for their views on which roster is preferred. If they have a say, then they are more likely to be committed to the choice regardless of what the choice was.

3. Test and adjust

Try a rolling roster for a month. The focus is to see how it impacts productivity, staff morale, absence rates, etc., before committing.

4. Consider Hybrid Models

Some businesses utilise both types of roster options. Often, this means core staff can stay on fixed shifts, and rostered staff provide additional cover during occasional busy periods.

Which Approach Is the Best?

There is no definitive answer. A rolling roster can allow for perceived fairness and flexibility, while fixed shifts may provide more certainty and simplicity. The best approach for your business will be relative depending on the operational demands and certainly your team’s requirements for lifestyle flexibility.

If you want flexibility, fairness, and a variety of skills from your staff – go for a rolling roster. If you want stability, predictability, and simplicity of roster management – stick with fixed shifts.

Final Words

Covering your shift plan, whatever the size of the workforce, will have an influence over staff morale, productivity, and employee retention.

Thankfully, you don’t need to stress out about which option works best. With Smart Workforce, you can create, trial, and manage rolling and fixed shifts so that you make the decision that works best for all.

Frequently Asked Questions