What Is a 7-on-7-off Schedule? Definition, Examples & Guide

What Is a 7-on-7-off Schedule?

A 7-on-7-off schedule (also called week-on-week-off) is a work pattern where employees work seven consecutive days, typically 12-hour shifts, followed by seven consecutive days off. This compressed schedule provides 182 days off annually while maintaining full-time hours.

According to NIOSH research on working hours, extended work periods like 7-on-7-off schedules are most common in remote industries requiring on-site stays—oil and gas, mining, and offshore operations—where the pattern balances intensive work periods with extended recovery time.

Quick Answer
Work seven straight days (usually 12-hour shifts totaling 84 hours), then get the entire next week off. This pattern gives you 182 days off per year—78 more than traditional Monday–Friday jobs.

How Does a 7-on-7-off Schedule Work?

The pattern alternates between full weeks of work and complete rest. Team A works Week 1 while Team B is off, then they swap for Week 2. This rotation continues indefinitely, providing predictable scheduling months in advance.

Typical 12-Hour Shift Structure

Most common: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM or 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM
Work week: 84 hours (7 days × 12 hours)
Off week: 0 hours
Two-week average: 42 hours per week

Overtime Under FLSA: Work weeks include 40 hours straight time plus 44 hours overtime (1.5×), making this pattern approximately 52% more expensive than straight-time schedules.

Comparing 7-on-7-off to Other Schedules

Schedule Type	Days Off/Year	Shift Length	Avg Hours/Week	Overtime
7-on-7-off	182 days	12 hours	42 hours	44 hrs/2 weeks
4-on-3-off	156 days	10–12 hours	40–48 hours	0–8 hrs/week
Traditional 5-day	104 days	8 hours	40 hours	Variable
14-on-14-off	182 days	12 hours	42 hours	88 hrs/4 weeks

vs Traditional 5-Day: 78 more days off annually but requires seven consecutive long shifts with significant overtime costs.

vs 4-on-3-off: Four-on-3-off offers more frequent breaks but fewer total days off and shorter rest periods.

vs 14-on-14-off: Two-week rotations provide longer rest but double consecutive work days, increasing fatigue and safety risks.

Shipping port operations with week-on-week-off shift rotation

What Are the Benefits of 7-on-7-off Schedules?

For Employees

Maximum Time Off: 182 days off annually—75% more than traditional schedules (104 days).

Extended Rest Periods: Full weeks off enable extended travel, family time, personal projects, or second jobs.

Reduced Commuting: Only 182 commute days vs. 260 with five-day weeks, saving time and money.

Predictable Schedule: Know weeks in advance which weeks you work and which you’re off.

High Earning Potential: Guaranteed overtime (44 hours per two weeks) significantly boosts total compensation.

Remote Work Suitability: Ideal for workers traveling to remote sites who can return home for entire weeks.

For Employers

Remote Coverage: Perfect for offshore platforms, mines, and camps where workers stay on-site during work weeks.

Reduced Turnover: Attractive schedules improve retention for long-distance commuters and workers valuing extended time off.

Simplified Scheduling: Two-team rotation is straightforward—Team A works while Team B is off.

Consistent Coverage: Ensures 24/7 operations with predictable crew handoffs.

What Are the Challenges of 7-on-7-off Schedules?

Fatigue and Safety Risks

Severe Cumulative Exhaustion: Seven consecutive 12-hour shifts create dangerous fatigue levels by days 5–7. Research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shows injury rates increase 30–50% by days 6–7 compared to day 1.

Sleep Debt: Workers average only 4–5 hours of sleep during work weeks, far below the recommended 7–9 hours.

Impaired Decision-Making: Fatigue by week’s end equals blood alcohol levels of 0.05–0.08%, affecting judgment and reaction time.

Health Impacts: Chronic fatigue increases cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorder, and mental health risks.

Operational Challenges

High Overtime Costs: 44 overtime hours every two weeks increases labor costs by approximately 52% vs. straight-time schedules.

Handoff Complexity: Full crew changes every week require excellent shift notes and documentation for continuity.

Knowledge Gaps: Issues arising during one crew’s week may not be resolved until they return two weeks later.

Personal and Family Impact

Family Disruption: Being unavailable for entire weeks strains relationships and parenting responsibilities.

Social Isolation: Missing family events, social activities, and obligations during work weeks.

Adjustment Difficulty: Switching between intense work weeks and rest weeks creates challenging transitions.

Wasted Rest Time: Some workers spend off weeks recovering rather than enjoying time productively.

Electrical work at a remote facility on extended shift schedule

What Industries Use 7-on-7-off Schedules?

Oil and Gas: Offshore platforms, remote production facilities, and pipeline operations where workers fly in for rotations.

Mining and Resource Extraction: Remote FIFO camps and exploration sites requiring on-site stays during work periods.

Emergency Services: Wildland firefighting, EMS in some jurisdictions, and search-and-rescue operations needing intense coverage with adequate recovery.

Power Generation: Nuclear plants, hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, and grid control centers requiring 24/7 specialized monitoring.

Healthcare: Remote nursing stations, specialized facilities, and medical camps in underserved areas.

Maritime and Offshore: Cargo ships, offshore installations, and research vessels where voyages prevent daily commuting.

Construction: Remote infrastructure projects and pipeline construction requiring extended on-site stays.

How Can You Manage Fatigue on 7-on-7-off Schedules?

For Employers

Limit Consecutive Days Strictly: Never extend work weeks beyond seven days.

Mandate Rest Breaks: Enforce 30-minute meal breaks and two 15-minute rest breaks during 12-hour shifts.

Monitor Workload: Avoid scheduling high-risk tasks during final work days when fatigue peaks.

Provide Quality Rest Facilities: Ensure quiet, dark, temperature-controlled sleeping quarters for on-site housing.

Implement Fatigue Monitoring: Use fatigue risk management systems to identify dangerous exhaustion levels.

Arrange Reliable Transportation: For remote sites, minimize travel stress and maximize rest time.

For Workers

Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7–8 hours daily during work weeks using blackout curtains, white noise, and temperature control.

Nap Strategically: 20–30 minute naps during breaks improve alertness without grogginess.

Maintain Sleep Hygiene: Keep consistent bedtime routines, avoid screens before sleep, limit caffeine to early shift hours.

Use Off Weeks Wisely: First 2–3 days should focus on recovery before engaging in active pursuits.

Limit Secondary Employment: Be cautious about moonlighting during off weeks—recovery should be the priority.

Communicate Fatigue: Report dangerous exhaustion to supervisors as a safety issue.

Scheduling Variations

Straight 7-on-7-off: Simple alternating weeks with same crews. Team A works weeks 1, 3, 5; Team B works weeks 2, 4, 6.

Rotating Day/Night: Teams alternate between day and night shifts on their work weeks, ensuring fair shift timing across crews.

7-on-7-off with Overlap: Teams overlap 1–2 days during transitions for handoff and training in complex operations.

Modified Patterns: 5-on-2-off-2-on-5-off splits work weeks to reduce fatigue but adds scheduling complexity.

Implementing 7-on-7-off Schedules

Planning Considerations

Assess Operational Needs: Determine if extended work periods benefit your operation or if shorter rotations like 4-on-3-off work better.

Calculate Costs: Factor in overtime expenses (44 hours per two weeks) vs. alternatives.

Survey Workers: Gauge interest and understand family/personal impacts on your workforce.

Evaluate Housing: For remote operations, ensure adequate on-site accommodations for week-long stays.

Establish Fatigue Protocols: Develop fatigue risk management systems, monitoring, and intervention protocols.

Create Transition Plans: Design handoff procedures and shift notes systems for crew changes.

Legal and Compliance

Overtime Compliance: Ensure proper overtime calculation under FLSA and state laws (especially California with daily overtime).

Safety Regulations: Meet OSHA requirements for work hours, rest periods, and fatigue management.

Transportation: Arrange safe, reliable transportation that doesn’t encroach on rest time for remote sites.

Mandatory Overtime: Understand requirements for additional hours beyond scheduled weeks.

Technology and Tools

Try ShiftFlow’s scheduling tools to manage 7-on-7-off rotations more easily with automatic overtime calculation, time tracking, and team communication to ensure continuity between rotating crews.

Is a 7-on-7-off Schedule Right for You?

✅ Great if:

You work in remote locations requiring on-site stays during work periods
Extended weeks off enable you to travel home from distant worksites
You value maximum annual days off (182) over more frequent breaks
Your family situation supports week-long absences followed by full weeks home

⚠️ Risky if:

Seven consecutive 12-hour shifts would create dangerous fatigue in your role
You have young children or caregiving responsibilities requiring daily presence
Health conditions make extended intensive work periods risky
Your personal stress tolerance doesn’t handle week-long intensive schedules well

Sources

NIOSH Working Hours Health and Safety Guide – CDC research on extended work hours, fatigue, and injury risk
OSHA Workplace Safety Guidelines – Federal workplace safety regulations for extended shifts
Bureau of Labor Statistics Shift Work Data – U.S. shift work statistics and prevalence
International Labour Organization Working Time Statistics – Global working hours and shift patterns research

Try ShiftFlow’s workforce management platform to manage 7-on-7-off and complex shift rotations with automated scheduling, overtime tracking, and team communication tools.

Frequently Asked Questions