The DuPont Schedule is a popular shift schedule for 24/7 operations, originally developed in the 1950s by employees at the DuPont Company.

This schedule is built around a 12-hour shift structure for 4 rotating crews and is known for offering a coveted 7-day break once every four weeks.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• The structure of the classic DuPont Schedule.
• The pros and cons of this schedule.
• Modified versions of the DuPont Schedule.
• How to determine if it’s a good fit for your operation.

What Is the DuPont Schedule?

The classic DuPont Schedule operates on a 4-week cycle with 12-hour shifts that alternate between day and night shifts.

Employees work:

• 4 consecutive day shifts followed by 7 days off.
• 4 consecutive night shifts, then 3 days off.
• 3 consecutive day shifts, then 1 day off, and
• 3 consecutive night shifts, ending with 3 consecutive days off before starting the cycle again.

This rotating pattern ensures 24/7 coverage while providing employees with a recurring long break.

Figure 1: Illustration of the Classic DuPont Schedule:  “D” for day shifts, “N” for night shifts on the day shift begins, and yellow cells for days off.

Advantages of the DuPont Schedule

1. 7-Day Breaks: Employees enjoy a full week off every four weeks, offering a "mini-vacation" to recharge.
2. Consistent Paychecks: The alternating 36- and 48-hour weeks make bi-weekly paychecks predictable.
3. More Long Weekends: The schedule provides 26 full weekends off-duty each year, all with at least three consecutive days off.
4. Minimizes Circadian Transitions: While the Dupont Schedule is technically fast-rotating (change from days and nights between each work block), crews only transition between day and night shifts four times per cycle, minimizing the impact of industrial jetlag.

Challenges of the DuPont Schedule

1. Compressed Work Periods: The Dupont Schedule compresses 28 days of shifts (14 shifts) into 21 days in order to provide 7 days off. One consequence is that employees face a demanding stretch in Week 3, often referred to as “hell week,” with six 12-hour shifts in seven days.
2. Management Continuity Gaps: Crews may go up to 14 days without direct contact with daytime management, which can be problematic in rapidly changing environments.
3. Absence Coverage: The schedule’s structure creates "pinch points" where covering absences can be challenging without relief staff. 

For example:

1. Mondays: Crews 2 and 4 can cover a day or a night shift on Mondays. For Crew 2 this would occur in the middle of their 7-day break, for Crew 4 this would create 7 shifts in a row.
2. Tuesdays: The day shift can ONLY be covered by Crew 2 - again interrupting their 7-day break.
3. Note: Some managers overseeing the DuPont schedule have mentioned that getting employees to work overtime shifts during the 7-day break can be challenging.

Figure 2: Illustration of Absence Coverage Pinch Points in the DuPont Schedule

Modified Versions of the DuPont Schedule

To address these challenges, organizations often adjust the DuPont Schedule with these modifications:

Here are some common Dupont Schedule modifications:

Dupont Schedule Modification 1: Adding an 8-Hour Training Shift:

Incorporating a short training day (e.g., Thursday during the long break) helps maintain management continuity.

Figure 3: Illustration of a Modified DuPont Schedule with an 8-Hour Training Day

Dupont Schedule Modification 2: Scheduling 8-Hour Shifts on Thursdays:

Scheduling 8-hour shifts instead of 12 hours can ease the workload and provide more interaction with management.

Figure 4: Illustration of a Modified DuPont Schedule with 8-Hour Shifts on Thursdays

Dupont Schedule Modification 3: Adding a 5th Crew:

A fifth crew can provide relief for absences and handle training without disrupting the core schedule.

Figure 5: Illustration of a Modified DuPont Schedule with a 5th Crew

Is the DuPont Schedule Right for Your Operation?

The DuPont Schedule offers many employee-friendly benefits, like long breaks and predictable paychecks, while meeting hours-of-service (HoS) limits in many industries (e.g. RP 755, PHMSA, etc.). However, its success depends on your specific operational needs.

This schedule works best in stable environments where:

• Long breaks don’t disrupt workflows.
• Absence coverage can be planned effectively.

Like all shift schedules, the DuPont Schedule has pros and cons. If your workforce likes a rotating schedule and long breaks, this schedule might be a good fit. However, if your people value fixed shifts and not compressing all work shifts into 21 days it may be a poor fit.

Ultimately, the best schedules are site-specific. You need to balance employee preferences with operational requirements, and safety considerations.

Need Help Evaluating Alternative Shift Schedule?

If you’re considering the DuPont Schedule—or any alternative shift patterns—CIRCADIAN’s scheduling experts can help. Contact us today for tailored solutions that meet your operational and workforce needs.