Night shift: Overview, definition, and example
What is night shift?
Night shift refers to a scheduled work period that takes place during the nighttime hours—typically anytime between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., though the exact hours can vary by employer or industry. It’s also known as the graveyard shift or third shift, and it’s common in industries that operate 24/7, like healthcare, manufacturing, security, transportation, and customer support.
In simple terms, the night shift is when employees work overnight instead of during the day.
Why is night shift important?
For businesses that need to operate around the clock, the night shift ensures continuous service, production, or coverage. But it also comes with specific considerations—like employee fatigue, safety risks, and sometimes higher wages.
Many employment contracts, union agreements, or labor policies define night shift terms, including shift differentials (extra pay), scheduling rules, and rest period requirements. It’s important to clearly outline these conditions to protect workers and comply with labor laws.
Understanding night shift through an example
Imagine your warehouse runs 24 hours to keep up with online orders. You assign one team to work from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.—this is your night shift crew. Because of the late hours, you offer a 15% night shift differential—meaning they earn 15% more per hour than day shift workers.
Your employee handbook defines what counts as a night shift, when it starts and ends, and what additional pay or rules apply.
An example of a night shift clause
Here’s how a night shift clause might appear in an employee contract or HR policy:
“Employees scheduled to work a night shift, defined as any shift beginning at or after 10:00 p.m. and ending on or before 6:00 a.m., shall be entitled to a night shift premium of 15% above their standard hourly wage.”
Conclusion
Night shift work plays a critical role in keeping certain industries running 24/7. Whether it’s for customer service, manufacturing, or emergency care, it requires careful scheduling, fair compensation, and attention to worker health and safety.
If your business relies on overnight operations, clearly defining night shift terms in your contracts or policies helps ensure fairness, compliance, and smoother operations for everyone involved.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.