What Hours Are First Shift & How To Manage Them Effectively

What are first shift hours?

First shift hours are typically the standard daytime working hours. They usually start in the morning and end in the afternoon. In most businesses, first shift hours align with typical business hours, beginning around 8 or 9 AM and ending around 5 or 6 PM. This shift is often considered the "day shift" because it covers the bulk of the daylight hours.

Other types of shifts

Comparing this with other shifts brings their differences into sharper focus.

• Second shift hours, often called the "swing shift," usually start in the late afternoon and end late at night, perhaps from 4 PM to midnight.

• The third shift, commonly known as the "night shift" or "graveyard shift," typically runs overnight, from midnight to early morning.

These shifts cover the hours outside of the standard business day and are crucial for businesses that operate around the clock. Each shift attracts different types of shift workers.

Night shift workers, for instance, have to adapt their sleep schedule to work during the night, which can be a significant adjustment compared to first or second shift employees. Second and third shifts can also involve a shift differential, a form of extra pay to compensate for the unconventional hours.

Variations in first shift hours by industry

While first shift is commonly associated with working hours between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, this isn't a one-size-fits-all situation.

The reality is that the start and end times vary depending on the industry, company policies, and even regional norms.

Here’s how first shift hours typically vary:

• Corporate & Office Jobs: Usually 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM or 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
• Manufacturing & Warehousing: Some facilities start as early as 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM to allow for second and third shift rotations.
• Retail & Hospitality: May have staggered first shifts, often from 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM or later depending on store hours.
• Healthcare & Emergency Services: Hospitals and clinics often have 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM shifts to align with 24-hour operations.
• Construction & Trades: Early starts, such as 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM, are common due to daylight and weather considerations.

If you're hiring or managing a team, it's essential to set clear expectations about what "first shift" means within your industry to avoid confusion.

Pros and cons of first shift hours

Understanding the benefits and challenges of the first shift is crucial for employers and managers.

While it’s the most common shift, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best fit for every business. Let’s break it down:

Benefits of first shifts

First shifts offer several benefits for both employees and businesses. Here are 4 key advantages:

✅ Higher employee morale and productivity

First shift aligns with a natural circadian rhythm, meaning employees are more alert and productive during these hours. You’re less likely to deal with drowsy, sluggish workers compared to those on night shifts.

✅ Easier employee recruitment and retention

The majority of workers prefer a first shift schedule because it allows for a work-life balance, meaning you’ll have a larger talent pool to choose from. This reduces hiring difficulties and turnover rates compared to second and third shifts.

✅ Lower operational costs

Unlike evening or overnight shifts, businesses don’t have to deal with:

• Higher electricity costs (e.g., lighting and heating for night shifts)
• Additional security expenses
• Shift differential pay (higher wages for non-standard shifts)

For industries where these factors are significant, running primarily on a first shift schedule can mean huge cost savings.

✅ Better collaboration and customer service

Most businesses, clients, and service providers operate during first shift hours. This makes it easier to schedule meetings, collaborate with external teams, and handle customer inquiries in real time.

For customer-facing industries (like retail and hospitality), having your best and most experienced staff on first shift can improve service quality and brand reputation.

Challenges of first shifts

First shift hours, while beneficial in many ways, also present certain challenges that employees and businesses must navigate:

❌ Peak hour congestion and late arrivals

Since most workers follow a first shift schedule, traffic congestion, public transport delays, and parking shortages are common. This can lead to frequent tardiness and lost productivity.

💡 Solution: Offering flexible start times (e.g., 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM or 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) can help stagger employee arrivals and ease congestion.

❌ Overlapping work demands

When everyone is working at the same time, it’s harder to manage workloads effectively. Common issues include:

• Limited access to equipment or meeting rooms
• More interruptions and distractions
• Bottlenecks in workflow (e.g., waiting for approvals or responses from team members)

💡 Solution: Implement strong scheduling tools and prioritisation strategies to balance workloads throughout the day.

❌ Over reliance on first shift can create skill gaps

If your best employees are all working first shift, who is left to cover second and third shifts? Some industries, like manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality, need skilled workers on all shifts—but if everyone wants first shift, you may struggle to staff other shifts properly.

💡 Solution: Consider rotating shifts fairly or offering incentives for off-peak shifts to keep operations running smoothly.

❌ Harder to accommodate 24/7 operations

If your business operates around the clock, relying too much on first shift can lead to burnout for employees who have to stay late to cover unfinished work.

💡 Solution: If your industry requires 24/7 staffing, ensure a smooth handover between shifts by using workforce management software like Shiftbase to coordinate shift transitions.

Balancing business needs and employee well-being

Finding the right balance between meeting business objectives and ensuring employee satisfaction is crucial, especially when scheduling first shift hours. Here are three effective strategies to achieve this balance:

1. Flexible start times:

Implementing a degree of flexibility in start times can make a significant difference. Instead of a strict start time, offering a range (e.g., between 8:00 and 9:30 AM) allows employees to choose a start time that suits their personal needs and preferences.

This flexibility can help employees manage morning responsibilities more effectively, reduce stress from rush hour commutes, and improve overall job satisfaction, all while ensuring that the business has adequate coverage during essential hours.

2. Regular feedback and adjustment:

Regularly seeking feedback from employees regarding their work schedules and making adjustments based on their input is crucial. This approach shows that the business values its employees' well-being and is willing to adapt to improve their work experience.

Regular check-ins and surveys can provide insights into what is working well and what might need tweaking, allowing the business to continually align its operational needs with the well-being of its staff.

3. Rotation of shifts for fairness:

For businesses that operate beyond regular first shift hours, implementing a rotation system between first, second, and even third shifts can help distribute the burden of less desirable hours. This ensures that all employees share in working the early shifts as well as the late or night shifts.

Rotating shifts can prevent burnout and resentment that may arise from being permanently fixed in less favoured work hours. It's essential, however, to consider the individual circumstances of employees, such as their family commitments and personal shift preferences, to make the rotation fair and effective.

By employing these strategies, businesses can create a work environment that not only meets their operational goals but also fosters employee well-being and satisfaction. Balancing these aspects is key to maintaining a motivated and productive workforce.

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Understanding shift differentials

One reason why first shift is preferred by many employees is that it typically doesn’t come with extra pay incentives, unlike second and third shifts.

What is a shift differential?

A shift differential is extra pay offered to employees working outside standard business hours. It compensates for the inconvenience of working nights, weekends, or early mornings.

• First shift: Usually no shift differential unless working holidays or weekends.
• Second shift (Afternoon/Evening shift): Commonly 5-15% extra per hour due to later hours.
• Third shift (Night shift/Graveyard shift): Can include 10-20% higher pay due to overnight work.

Industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and customer support frequently offer shift differentials to encourage employees to work less popular shifts.

💡 Key takeaway: If you're wondering why some jobs seem to offer higher pay for similar roles, check if the advertised rate includes a shift differential!

Are first shifts right for your business?

First shift is the preferred choice for most businesses, but it’s not always the most efficient. If your company struggles with late arrivals, limited space, or 24/7 coverage, a more flexible or rotating shift system might be a better fit.

Simplify first shift scheduling with Shiftbase

Managing a first shift schedule might seem straightforward, but balancing employee availability, shift preferences, and legal requirements can quickly become a headache.

With Shiftbase, you can streamline your employee scheduling, automate time tracking, and ensure smooth absence management—all in one place.

No more last-minute changes or messy spreadsheets. Whether you run a retail store, a manufacturing facility, or an office, Shiftbase helps you keep shifts organised and employees happy.

Ready to take the stress out of scheduling? Try Shiftbase free for 14 days and experience the difference: Start your free trial. 🚀