Articles - Shift Patterns

Choosing the right shift patterns can make all the difference in balancing customer service levels with employee wellbeing. This section features expert guidance, real examples, and scheduling strategies to help you plan shift patterns that work for both your operation and your people. Explore approaches like rotating rosters, flexible hours, and part-time structures, along with tips for managing fairness, fatigue, and work-life balance. With insights from experienced planners and contact centre leaders, these resources will help you build smarter, more sustainable schedules that keep performance and morale high.

Video Image: The Hidden Cost of Poor Scheduling
The Hidden Cost of Poor Scheduling
Video Image: Why You Shouldn’t Make Assumptions About Unsociable Hours
Why You Shouldn’t Make Assumptions About Unsociable Hours
Video Image: The Benefits of Switching Up Your Agents’ Day
The Benefits of Switching Up Your Agents’ Day
24 hours 7 days concept with red clock and handset
Top Tips for Running a Great 24/7 Contact Centre Operation
Illustration of a computer with person on laptop and calendar and checklists
Top Tips for Digital Channels – Forecasting and Scheduling
Person working at laptop with global map
How to Succeed in a Global Planning Role
Call centre worker on night shift
The Best Ways to Manage the Night Shift
ANNUAL LEAVE UNLIMITED? on pink paper with office tools on white background
Should Agents Get Unlimited Paid Annual Leave?
Build a Parent-Friendly Contact Centre
Shift planning and change concept with clock and calendar over sky
How to Change Your Shift Patterns – Without Losing Your Best Agents!
A close up of calendar and alarm clock on the table - last minute time off
The Best Ways to Deal With Last-Minute Time-Off Requests
A hand holds an alarm clock with calendar
Is Your Scheduling in Need of an Overhaul? Try These 8 Top Tips
A group of office workers chatting at desks
Hit the Ground Running! How to Help Your Agents Be Shift Ready
Calendar and alarm clock on yellow background - schedules concept
9 Clever Ways to Improve Agent Schedules
Plate of food, cutlery, alarm clock - lunch schedule concept
How to Create a Lunch Schedule for Your Contact Centre
A hand with a cup of drink emerging from an alarm clock - break time concept
Is It Best to Schedule or Free-Style Agent Breaks?
The Right Contact Centre Opening Hours with two clocks with a question mark and lightbulb
Finding the Ideal Opening Hours for Your Contact Centre
2024 Contact Centre Predictions
Expert Predictions: What Will 2024 Bring for Contact Centres?
Planner looking at diary with calendar on screen
7 Top Tips From an Award-Winning Resource Planning Manager
2022 What Contact Centres Are Doing Right Now Shift Patterns Graph Cover
Which Shifts Are Contact Centres Using?
Collage of pets jumping
12 PAWesome Ideas From the ManyPets Contact Centre
Holiday concept with jack russell dog surfing on a wave
How to Manage Holiday and Vacation in the Contact Centre
Flexible work time schedule concept
32 Tips for Building Flexibility Into Contact Centre Schedules
Annual Leave concept
Annual Leave and Capacity