Are split shifts the secret solution to managing peak periods in your business?

Businesses face many periods throughout the year which are busier than usual. Whether it’s the hustle and bustle of the festive period, the increased demand for hospitality venues in the summer, or something completely unique to your business and industry; it can be difficult to cope with increased demand.

Enter stage left—split shifts. Among the various working patterns out there, split shifts stand out. The question is, are they the answer you’ve been looking for?

What are split shifts?

In a nutshell, split shifts are when an employee’s workday is broken up into two or more distinct chunks, with a significant break in the middle.

You can read more about split shifts in our article, but a great example would be a restaurant employee working between 11am to 2pm during the lunchtime rush, and returning for the dinner rush between 6pm and 10pm.

What are the considerations of split shifts?

When deciding whether split shifts would fit well in your business, it’s important to note the considerations, as with any workplace practice. The main pull is that it can make your business more efficient, as split shifts allow businesses to cover high-demand periods effectively without overstaffing during the quieter times.

It’s also great from a flexibility perspective, as employees who prefer a break in the middle of their day or have other commitments may benefit from split shifts. But this is a double-edged sword, as employees may end up having very long workdays, which can lead to more burnout and fatigue.

The large gap in the middle of the day can also be difficult for employees to plan their personal time around. This kind of irregular staffing structure and schedule can, and historically has, led to decreased job satisfaction.

How can I address the challenges of split shifts?

So, you can reap all the rewards of split shifts, it’s important to know how exactly you can address the challenges to make it a worthwhile choice for your business.

There’re a few ways you can maximise the advantages of split shifts:

• Minimise burnout by offering advice via an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). You should also ensure your staff are taking proper rest breaks via a clocking-in app like Blip, and give your staff fair warning with rota scheduling tools.

• Keep an eye on compliance by adhering to the Working Time Regulations 1998, which means you’ll have to ensure your staff have a 20-minute break if they work for more than 6 hours, and a rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours in each 24 hour period.

• Use technology and seek expertise to simplify the complex nature of scheduling split shifts.

How can I organise split shifts most effectively?

At first glance, split shifts might seem like a bit of hassle—but in many industries, they can be an invaluable tool for saving on labour costs. The first step is getting into a position of good organisation and visibility over your whole staffing process.

Ask yourself, when are your most busy periods? When will I need coverage? Whether it’s on a day-to-day basis, or gleaming from historical data during busy seasons, you’ll need to have a good idea of when extra coverage is needed.

Next, you’ll want to create schedules well in advance to avoid last-minute changes. On this point, you’ll want to respect your employees’ work-life balance and give plenty of warning about schedules to prevent fatigue and dissatisfaction.

You’ll  also want to respect your employees’ personal lives to help reduce any stress associated with last minute changes.

Rotating shifts fairly among your staff is going to be key, as it ensures no one is consistently burdened with the most challenging hours. Regularly rotating split shifts prevents resentment or feelings of unfairness from building up among employees who might feel overworked.

This is why communication and supporting your staff are equally important. Open dialogue and regular check ins help you spot any emerging issues before they escalate into major problems. Employee wellbeing should be your top priority in this regard, as split shifts can potentially lead to cumulative fatigue and burnout if not handled properly, especially during peak periods.

Need help with staffing in peak periods?

Split shifts, if implemented carefully, can help you manage some of the busiest periods of the business year—optimising operations and keeping both your employees and customers satisfied.

It’s important you plan carefully though, as missteps could erode trust and goodwill among your staff, making the prospect of implementing them at all a hard-sell for the next busy period.

Facilitate your staff planning process with BrightHR now and make your next busy period the most successful yet. Book a demo with one of our friendly experts to see how BrightHR can optimise and enhance your staff planning process.