28-day rotating shift pattern
What Is a DuPont Schedule?
The DuPont schedule is a 28-day, 12-hour rotating pattern that builds a full week off into every month.
How the DuPont rotation works
A DuPont schedule uses four crews on 12-hour shifts. Each crew runs a 28-day cycle made up of four consecutive night shifts, three days off, three day shifts, one day off, three night shifts, three days off, four day shifts, and finally a full seven days off.
That seven-day break is what makes the pattern famous. The trade-off is that crews work up to four shifts in a row and switch between day and night within each cycle, which is why the DuPont schedule is most common in chemical plants, utilities, and factories.
| Crew | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | N | N | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | D | O | N | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | D | D | O | O | O | O | O | O | O |
| B | O | O | O | O | O | O | O | N | N | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | D | O | N | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | D | D |
| C | O | O | O | D | D | D | D | O | O | O | O | O | O | O | N | N | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | D | O | N | N | N |
| D | D | D | D | O | N | N | N | O | O | O | D | D | D | D | O | O | O | O | O | O | O | N | N | N | N | O | O | O |
| Pattern | Cycle | Crews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DuPont | 28 days | 4 | A 7-day break every month |
| 2-2-3 | 14 days | 4 | A 3-day weekend every two weeks |
| 2-3-2 | 14 days | 4 | Grouped work blocks, alternate weekends off |
| Pitman | 14 days | 2 | Fixed day and night crews |
DuPont schedule: pros and cons
Pros
- ·A full seven-day break every 28 days
- ·Four crews cover the site around the clock
- ·Predictable long-term rotation
- ·Regular long weekends built in
Cons
- ·Up to four 12-hour shifts in a row
- ·Switches between day and night within a cycle
- ·Complex to explain to new hires
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Frequently asked questions
What is a DuPont schedule?
A DuPont schedule is a 28-day rotating shift pattern run by four crews on 12-hour shifts. Its defining feature is a full 7-day break every 28 days.
How many crews does a DuPont schedule need?
Four crews, one for each position in the 28-day rotation.
Why do teams use a DuPont schedule?
It provides continuous 24/7 coverage while giving each crew a built-in week off every month, which many employees value.
What is the downside of a DuPont schedule?
The 12-hour shifts are tiring, and crews work several consecutive days to earn the 7-day break, including switching between day and night.
What is a modified DuPont schedule?
A modified DuPont schedule tweaks the standard 28-day rotation to reduce consecutive night shifts or spread days off differently, while keeping the built-in week off.