The 3-2-2 Schedule: Rotation, Examples & Template

The 3-2-2 schedule is a 12-hour pattern repeating every 14 days: 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off. It is the front-loaded seat on the 2-2-3 wheel — the fortnight opens with the 3-shift block and closes with the 3-day break. Four crews cover 24/7 at a 42-hour weekly average.

Try the rotation

Pick a start date to map the rotation onto real weeks. Team A starts the cycle on day 1; the other teams are staggered so cover never drops.

Cycle start date

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Team A	Day	Day	Day	Off	Off	Day	Day	Off	Off	Day	Day	Off	Off	Off
Team B	Off	Off	Off	Day	Day	Off	Off	Day	Day	Off	Off	Day	Day	Day
Team C	Night	Night	Night	Off	Off	Night	Night	Off	Off	Night	Night	Off	Off	Off
Team D	Off	Off	Off	Night	Night	Off	Off	Night	Night	Off	Off	Night	Night	Night

Day = Day shiftNight = Night shiftOff = Day off

The math

Cycle length	14 days
Shift length	12 hours
Average hours per week	42 hours
Shifts per year (per person)	183
Days off per year	183
Teams needed for 24/7 cover	4

How the rotation works

Like the 2-3-2, this is the classic 14-day wheel — 7 work days, 7 off — entered at the point where the triple work block comes first. Crews who like to 'earn the break' prefer this seat: the heaviest stretch is done while fresh, the fortnight ends on three days off, and the cycle restarts rested.

Operationally everything else matches the family: two day crews and two night crews trading cover, a maximum run of three shifts, alternating 36/48-hour weeks, and every other weekend free once anchored. Choosing between 2-2-3, 2-3-2 and 3-2-2 is mostly choosing which day of the week anchors each team's wheel.

Who uses it

Emergency communications — the front-loaded variant favoured where weekends drive the anchor
24/7 plant operations — four-crew rotations with negotiated anchor days
Hospital support services — 12-hour cover with short maximum runs
Security & corrections — fortnight wheels with predictable breaks

Pros & Cons

Pros

The hardest block lands when crews are freshest
Fortnight ends on a 3-day break — a built-in reset
Max 3 consecutive shifts; every other weekend off
42-hour average, 7 working days per fortnight

Cons

Three 12-hour shifts straight out of the break is a demanding restart
Same 36/48-hour payroll swing as its siblings
Anchoring disputes (who gets which seat on the wheel) need a fair process
Four full crews required

Variations & alternatives

2-3-2 schedule 2-2-3 (Panama) schedule Pitman schedule DuPont schedule

Free template download

Download the pre-built rotation calendar, ready to print or edit. No email required.

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Build this schedule in Tommy

Set the rotation once and Tommy fills the weeks ahead — shift swaps, leave and coverage gaps handled in one place, with your team always seeing the latest version.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the 3-2-2 work schedule?

A 14-day, 12-hour pattern — 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off — run by four crews for 24/7 cover at a 42-hour weekly average.

Is 3-2-2 different from 2-2-3?

Only in phase: both are the same 7-on-7-off fortnight wheel. 3-2-2 starts at the triple work block, 2-2-3 starts at the double; lived on a calendar they produce the same weekends-off rhythm.

Who tends to choose the 3-2-2 telling?

Teams that prefer doing the long block first — and operations whose anchor day naturally places the triple at the start of each crew's fortnight.

How many staff does it take?

Four equal crews; with minimum staffing of n per shift you need 4n plus relief cover.