2-2-3 Schedule (Pitman / Panama)
The 2-2-3 schedule — also called the Pitman or Panama schedule — is a 12-hour shift pattern on a 14-day cycle: work 2, off 2, work 3, off 2, work 2, off 3. You never work more than 3 days in a row, you get every other weekend off as a 3-day weekend, and you average 42 hours per week. Two crews cover days and two cover nights (fixed), or crews rotate monthly.
The 2-2-3 schedule — also called the Pitman or Panama schedule — is a 12-hour shift pattern on a 14-day cycle: work 2, off 2, work 3, off 2, work 2, off 3. You never work more than 3 days in a row, you get every other weekend off as a 3-day weekend, and you average 42 hours per week. Two crews cover days and two cover nights (fixed), or crews rotate monthly. Data from BLS + Jobeezy ghost-filter (2026).
### 2-2-3 Schedule (Pitman / Panama) key facts The 2-2-3 (Pitman/Panama) schedule is a 14-day, 12-hour pattern: 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off. Every other weekend is a 3-day weekend. Averages 42 hrs/week. - Cycle: 2 weeks, 4 crews - Average hours: 42 hrs/week (36 one week, 48 the next)2-2-3 Schedule (Pitman / Panama) calendar
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Day | Day | Off | Off | Day | Day | Day |
| Week 2 | Off | Off | Day | Day | Off | Off | Off |
At a glance
| Shift length | 12 hours |
|---|---|
| Cycle | 2 weeks, 4 crews |
| Average hours | 42 hrs/week (36 one week, 48 the next) |
Who uses the 2-2-3 schedule?
Police and dispatch, hospitals and nursing, utilities, data centers, warehouses, and 24/7 manufacturing — one of the most common 12-hour patterns in the U.S.
Pros
- Every other weekend is a Friday–Sunday 3-day weekend
- Never more than 3 consecutive workdays
- Fixed-shift variants (permanent days or nights) protect sleep rhythm
Cons
- 12-hour shifts are long, especially on the 3-day stretch
- The alternating 36/48-hour weeks can complicate overtime and childcare
- Rotating variants (day↔night monthly) disrupt sleep
Frequently asked questions
- Is 2-2-3 the same as the Pitman and Panama schedule?
- Yes — 2-2-3, Pitman, and Panama all describe the same 14-day, 12-hour pattern. Some employers also call it 'every other weekend off'.
- How many days a year do you work on a 2-2-3?
- About 182 — half the year. That's the trade for 12-hour days: fewer, longer shifts.
- What time do 2-2-3 shifts usually run?
- Most sites run 6a–6p and 6p–6a, or 7a–7p and 7p–7a. Your crew is either fixed days, fixed nights, or rotates monthly depending on the employer.
Other shift patterns
- DuPont Schedule
- 4-on-4-off Schedule
- 9/80 Schedule
- 4/10 Schedule (Four Tens)
- Kelly Schedule (24-Hour Shifts)
- Southern Swing Schedule
Shift hours at major employers
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