What Is a 2-2-3 Work Schedule? Definition, Examples & Guide

A 2-2-3 work schedule is a rotating shift pattern where employees work two days, off two days, work three days, then off two days. This 12-hour shift system guarantees every other weekend off while maintaining continuous operations.

In Short

The 2-2-3 work schedule (also called the Panama schedule) uses four teams rotating through 12-hour shifts on a 28-day cycle. Workers get predictable time off, including every other weekend, while employers maintain 24/7 operations. It’s common in emergency services, healthcare, manufacturing, and utilities.

What Is a 2-2-3 Work Schedule?

A 2-2-3 work schedule rotates employees through 12-hour shifts on a two-week cycle. Employees work two days, get two days off, work three days, then get two days off—repeating every 28 days.

After two weeks on day shifts (typically 6 AM–6 PM), teams switch to night shifts (6 PM–6 AM) for the next two weeks. This rotating shift schedule requires four separate teams to provide continuous coverage.

How Does a 2-2-3 Schedule Work?

The pattern repeats every two weeks:

Week 1:

Monday–Tuesday: Work
Wednesday–Thursday: Off
Friday–Sunday: Work

Week 2:

Monday–Tuesday: Off
Wednesday–Thursday: Work
Friday–Sunday: Off

Four teams (A, B, C, D) rotate to provide continuous coverage. Teams A and B alternate on day shifts, while Teams C and D alternate on night shifts. This ensures 24/7 operations with two teams always working—one on days, one on nights.

What Are the Benefits of a 2-2-3 Work Schedule?

Every other weekend off. Two out of every four weekends are completely free, supporting better work-life balance.

Predictable routine. The repeating cycle makes planning personal time straightforward.

Extended rest periods. Three-day weekends every other week provide recovery time.

Eye-level shot of a warehouse loading dock at the end of a Friday shift, captured during golden hour as natural light filters through the large bay doors. A forklift operator in high-visibility gear secures equipment for the weekend, with inventory shelves stretching into the background.

Fewer commutes. Twelve-hour shifts mean fewer trips to work each week.

24/7 coverage without gaps. Four teams ensure operations never stop.

Better retention. Regular weekends off improve job satisfaction and reduce turnover.

Fewer shift handoffs. Only two shift changes per day instead of three, reducing communication errors.

What Are the Drawbacks?

Long shifts cause fatigue. Twelve-hour workdays can lead to physical and mental exhaustion, especially in demanding roles. Unlike an 80-hour work week where extreme hours are less sustainable, the 2-2-3 pattern aims to balance long shifts with adequate rest periods.

Rotating shifts disrupt sleep. Switching between day and night shifts every two weeks affects sleep quality and circadian rhythms.

Half your weekends are working. You’ll still work every other weekend, which can interfere with family and social commitments.

Limited flexibility. The fixed pattern makes swapping shifts or accommodating personal needs difficult, similar to challenges with covering a shift in any rotating schedule environment.

Who Uses the 2-2-3 Work Schedule?

The 2-2-3 work schedule appears most often in industries requiring 24/7 operations:

Emergency services like police, fire departments, and EMS maintain round-the-clock response teams. These roles often require shift supervisors to coordinate coverage across multiple teams.

Close-up shot of an emergency services equipment station, photographed with natural window light from a nearby bay door. The scene features turnout gear, helmets, and boots arranged and ready for the next shift, with a time card holder and schedule board mounted on the wall in soft focus behind.

Healthcare facilities use this rotating shift schedule for nurses, emergency departments, and intensive care units. Staff often receive on-the-job training to handle the unique demands of rotating shifts.

Medium shot of a hospital nursing station during overnight hours, photographed from an over-the-shoulder perspective. Soft overhead lighting illuminates the work area where nurses in scrubs coordinate patient care during a night shift rotation.

Manufacturing plants with continuous production lines schedule operators on 2-2-3 patterns under specific working conditions designed to minimize fatigue.

Utilities and infrastructure operations—power plants, water treatment facilities, and telecom—need constant monitoring.

Wide shot of an industrial control room in a power generation facility, photographed from behind the operators showing multiple monitoring screens mounted on the wall. Two utility workers in company uniforms stand at their stations during a 12-hour shift.

Security teams use this pattern to provide uninterrupted facility protection.

How Does It Compare to Other Rotating Shift Schedules?

Schedule Type	Work Pattern	Key Difference
2-2-3 (Panama)	2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off	Every other weekend off
Pitman (2-3-2)	Same as 2-2-3, counted differently	Identical to 2-2-3
DuPont	4-week rotation, up to 7 consecutive days	Longer work stretches
4-on, 4-off	4 consecutive days on, 4 off	No guaranteed free weekends

The Pitman schedule is essentially identical to the 2-2-3 work schedule—just counted differently. The DuPont schedule runs on a 4-week rotation with longer stretches.

How Do You Implement a 2-2-3 Work Schedule?

Confirm 24/7 Coverage Makes Sense

Verify your business truly needs continuous operations and that 12-hour shifts fit your work type.

Build Four Balanced Teams

Divide staff into four teams with balanced skills and experience so each can operate independently.

Set Clear Shift Times

Define day and night hours (like 6 AM–6 PM and 6 PM–6 AM). Build in handoff time for smooth transitions.

Map the Full Rotation

Create a 28-day calendar showing when each team works, rests, and switches between day and night shifts.

Establish Absence and Overtime Policies

Decide how you’ll handle call-outs and calculate overtime under this compressed schedule.

Support Worker Health

Provide resources on sleep management, nutrition, and coping with shift work demands. Research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shows rotating night shifts can increase health risks over time. Consider offering hourly rate differentials for night shifts to compensate for the added physical demands.

Monitor and Refine

Track attendance, fatigue issues, and feedback—then adjust as needed. Use a duty roster system to maintain clear visibility into team coverage and workload distribution.

What Are the Legal Considerations?

Overtime compliance. The 2-2-3 schedule typically results in 36–42 hours per week. Structure pay periods carefully to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act and state laws.

Meal and rest breaks. Twelve-hour shifts typically require meal breaks and rest periods—requirements vary by state.

Scheduling notice. Some jurisdictions require advance notice of work schedules under predictive scheduling laws.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers must pay overtime for hours worked over 40 in a workweek unless specific exemptions apply.

Who Should Use a 2-2-3 Work Schedule?

This schedule works well if you need 24/7 coverage, can staff four full teams, and your work suits 12-hour blocks. It’s less ideal if your team is small, work requires constant alertness without breaks, or employees can’t handle rotating night shifts.

Workers benefit most when they can maintain consistent sleep routines, plan around the predictable schedule, and take advantage of extended weekends.

What Makes a 2-2-3 Schedule Successful?

Stick to sleep routines. Use blackout curtains and white noise to protect rest time, especially during night shift rotations.

Plan three-day weekends. Schedule appointments, errands, and personal time in advance.

Eat well and stay active. Healthy habits help manage the physical demands of long shifts.

Prepare for shift changes. Gradually adjust sleep patterns before switching from days to nights.

Offer shift differentials. Premium pay for night work recognizes the added challenge.

Build in breaks. Twelve-hour shifts need proper meal and rest periods.

Support mental health. Provide resources for managing stress and sleep issues related to shift work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 2-2-3 mean in scheduling? It means working 2 days, off 2 days, working 3 days, then off 2 days in a repeating 12-hour shift pattern.

Is the 2-2-3 schedule the same as the Panama schedule? Yes, they’re the same rotating shift pattern with different names.

Do you get every other weekend off on a 2-2-3 schedule? Yes, the pattern guarantees every other weekend completely free.

How many hours per week is a 2-2-3 schedule? Typically 36–42 hours per week, averaging 40 hours over the two-week cycle.

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