Get That Job!
Understanding Work Schedules

HE-772, New Dec 1998. Adapted for use in Alabama by Carol Centrallo,Extension Apparel and Textile Management Specialist, Assistant Professor, Consumer Affairs, Auburn University

After you have been hired for a job, it is important to learn the rules of the organization. One major rule of any organization is to keep the work schedule that tells you when to report to work. It is best to arrive at least 5 to 15 minutes ahead of schedule. This will show that you are reliable and eager to begin your workday.

You are usually taught how to read a work schedule when you start to work. In some cases, you may be required to work a split shift that requires working several hours followed by more than an hour break. Then you would return to work for several more hours. For example, you may work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. then leave and return at 5 p.m. and work until 9 p.m.

There are two kinds of work schedules--one kind tells you when you have to work and the other tells you what to do as well as when to do it.

Below is an example of a work schedule that tells you when and what you have to do.

 The Burger Bar Work Schedule

July 21-28 Shift: 4 p.m. to Midnight
NAME	M	TU	W	TH	F	SA
David Cook 1	Deep Fry Area	Bread Area	Grill Area	Bread Area	Bread Area	Deep Fry Area
Kathy   Cook 2	Grill Area	Salad Area	Deep Fry Area	Grill Area	Deep Fry Area	Grill  Area
John   Cook 2	Bread Area	Grill Area	Salad  Area	Deep Fry Area	Grill Area	Bread  Area
Mary   Cook 1	Salad Area	Deep Fry Area	Bread Area	Salad Area	Salad Area	Salad Area
Jill   Cashier	Front Counter	Drive Thru	Front Counter	Drive Thru	Front Counter	Drive Thru
Joey   Cashier	Drive Thru	Front Counter	Drive Thru	Front Counter	Drive Thru	Front Counter

Test how well you were able to read this work schedule by answering the following questions.

What week is this work schedule for? ____________________________________________

What shift does Joey have? What day? ___________________________________________

Is Jill a cashier? (Yes/No) _____________________________________________________

What does Jill do on Monday and Tuesday? _______________________________________

When does Mary work in the bread area? _________________________________________

Who works the drive-thru on Wednesday? ________________________________________

Who works in the deep fry area on Friday? ________________________________________

How many days does John work in the grill area? Which days? ________________________

Who works Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday?_______________________________________

Below is an example of a work schedule that tells you when you have to work. John, Joyce, Jessie, and Mary are full-time employees, and Jan is a part-time employee. Each employee is required to report to work 30 minutes before each shift. This will cover lunch breaks. Most jobs require the employee to come in early or to stay late to take care of time spent for meals.

Fran's Beauty Shop

Work Schedule - August 21-26
	Day Shift	Midday Shift	Evening Shift
	9 a.m. - 5 p.m.	11 a.m.-7 p.m.	12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Monday	John	Jessie	Mary
Tuesday	John, Jessie	Joyce	Mary
Wednesday	Joyce, Mary	John	Jan
Thursday	Jessie, Joyce	Jan	Mary
Friday	Jan, Jessie	Joyce	John
Saturday	Mary, Joyce	John	Jessie

Check how well you could read this schedule by answering these questions:

What week is this work schedule for? _______________________________________________

Who works from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday? _____________________________________

Does any worker work two shifts in a row? (Yes/No) ___________________________________

What shift does Jessie work on Thursday? ___________________________________________

What shift does Mary work on Friday? _____________________________________________

What day is John off? __________________________________________________________

How many days does Jan work? How many hours? ___________________________________

How many days does Jessie work the day shift? ______________________________________

Which days are they? ___________________________________________________________

There are many different types of work schedules. The following example is of a "shift work" schedule.

Jetson Chemical Plant

Work Schedule June 1-14
Shift: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WEEK I	M	TU	W	TH	F	SA	SU
Worker 1	off	Arnold	Arnold	Arnold	Arnold	Arnold	off
Worker 2	Matthew	off	off	off	off	Matthew	Matthew
WEEK II	M	TU	W	TH	F	SA	SU
Worker 1	off	off	off	Arnold	Arnold	Arnold	Arnold
Worker 2	Matthew	Matthew	Matthew	off	off	Matthew	Matthew

Your work schedule contains important information and tells you what work you are expected to do. Here are some helpful ideas for being successful in following your work schedule.

• Always write down your schedule after it is posted.
• Look at the work schedule daily for any changes.
• If you need to be off on a certain day, let your supervisor know at least two weeks ahead of time.
• If you cannot go to work for some reason, call your supervisor at least 4 hours before you are scheduled to work so he or she can find a replacement for you. Don't have a friend, spouse, or parent call and lie for you. Make the call yourself if you are able.

The work schedule is an important part of any job. Keep a marked calendar at home to remind you and your family of your work time. Know your work schedule and be on time.

References

Robinson, Catherine and Jenise Rowekamp. Speaking Up at Work, Oxford University Press, 1985.

Crystal, John C. and Richard N. Bolles. Where Do I Go from Here with my Life?, Ten Speed Press, 1974.

Armstrong, Fiona, Myra Baum, and Joan Block Miller. Getting Ready for the World of Work, McGraw-Hill Co., 1980.

These materials were developed by Dorothy Taylor and Jeffrey J. Guidry of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service with a grant provided by Mississippi State University--Southern Rural Development Center.