Shift-work guide
How to build a rotating roster without calendar maths
Treat the roster as a repeating sequence of work days and rest days. Define one complete cycle, choose a start date and repeat it across the period you want to plan.
Updated 22 August 2026 · Published by Ynoxa
1. Write one complete cycle
For 4-on/4-off, the cycle contains four work days and four rest days. For a custom roster, list each work, night, on-call or leave day in order.
2. Choose an anchor date
Use a date whose position in the cycle you know. An incorrect anchor shifts the entire future calendar.
3. Add shift times and job rules
Attach the correct job, start and end times, breaks and reminder lead time to each work-day template.
4. Review before saving
Check month boundaries, overnight shifts, public holidays and any manually changed days. A repeating pattern is a planning shortcut, not a replacement for the latest employer roster.