

You can also add a percentage of a worker’s base pay to their hourly wage. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) doesn’t mandate a different hourly pay rate for employees working the third shift, but many employers choose to do so. This is called a night shift differential and is simply a small increase in hourly wages for employees working during these hours. How Much Should I Pay a Third Shift Employee?Ī common way to pay night shift workers is to add $1 per hour worked to their base pay. You’ll also need to analyze the costs and make sure you can generate enough revenue to offset the additional expenses. Make sure it’s the right decision for you by weighing the pros and cons of adding additional hours to your business’s workday (we’ll go into that soon). But don’t feel obligated to run a third shift just because other companies are doing so. If you’re trying to decide if you should stay open all night, you can look and see what your competitors do. Some companies in other industries also have employees working overnight. Of course, this isn’t a comprehensive list. Customer support (like customer service representatives).Customers or patients need 24/7 service in specific industries, so staff must always be available. Running a graveyard shift is the only option for some businesses.

It starts in the afternoon and runs into the evening, usually from 3 p.m. It’s the same with the first shift.Īs you might imagine, the second shift (a.k.a. The first shift (or day shift) is likely what you and most employees are used to it’s the good ol’ 9 to 5-though we know in real life, workdays typically start anywhere from 7 a.m. If your workday is divided into three eight-hour shifts, you’d have the first shift, second shift, and third shift. This shift is one of three common shifts, or periods of time when certain groups of employees work. You may also hear it called the graveyard or night shift. to 7 a.m., though these hours may vary from one company to another. Third shift is the overnight work period, which typically runs from 11 p.m. To help you decide if a third shift is what your business needs, we've put together this comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about this work schedule. So, you've been tossing around the idea of adding a third shift.Īnd while it gives you the potential to earn more money, these non-traditional hours can be tough on employees and increase your operating costs. You work hard to keep your business running smoothly, but sometimes you think things would be better if you stayed open around the clock or for an extra night shift.
