What is a DuPont schedule?
The DuPont schedule is a four-team rotation of 12-hour shifts that repeats every 28 days. Its signature is a full seven days off in a row once a month.
The sequence is: 4 nights, 3 off, 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights, 3 off, 4 days, then 7 days off. Teams are offset by one week, so one team is on days and one is on nights every day of the year.
How the DuPont rotation works
The cycle: 4 nights, 3 off, 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights, 3 off, 4 days, 7 off — 28 days.
Each team works 14 shifts in 28 days — 168 hours, an average of 42 a week. The work is uneven: one week has 72 hours, and another has none at all.
The rotation was developed at the chemical company DuPont and remains common in chemical plants, refineries and other process industries.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | N | N | N | N | D | D | D | N | N | N | D | D | D | D | ||||||||||||||
| B | N | N | N | N | D | D | D | N | N | N | D | D | D | D | ||||||||||||||
| C | D | D | D | D | N | N | N | N | D | D | D | N | N | N | ||||||||||||||
| D | D | D | D | N | N | N | D | D | D | D | N | N | N | N |
DuPont hours and days off
| Shift length | 12 hours |
|---|---|
| Cycle length | 28 days |
| Teams for 24/7 coverage | 4 |
| Hours in a 7-day week | 0 to 72 (depends where the week falls in the cycle) |
| Average hours per week | 42 |
| Hours per year (scheduled) | about 2,190 |
| Shifts per year | about 183 |
| Days off per year | about 183 |
Overtime: federal law (FLSA) counts overtime by the workweek — hours over 40 in a fixed 7-day week.On a DuPont schedule a single week can reach 72 hours even though the average is 42, so expect overtime in the heavier weeks. How much depends on which day your employer's workweek starts — the shift pay calculator shows the range. Some states, such as California and Alaska, also pay daily overtime after 8 hours.
Who uses the DuPont schedule?
- Chemical plants and refineries
- Power plants and utilities
- Manufacturing with continuous processes
Pros and cons
Pros
- A full week off every month
- Average 42-hour week
- Every team works the same mix of days and nights
Cons
- One 72-hour week every cycle ("hell week")
- Frequent switches between days and nights
- Hard to remember without a calendar
Variations
2-2-3 (Panama): Shorter blocks and every other weekend off, without the long break.
4 on 4 off: A simpler 12-hour rotation with equal time on and off.
DuPont compared with similar rotations
| Rotation | Cycle | Shift | Avg hours/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| DuPont Schedule | 28 days | 12 h | 42 |
| 2-2-3 Schedule (Panama) | 28 days | 12 h | 42 |
| Pitman Schedule | 14 days | 12 h | 42 |
| 4 On 4 Off Schedule | 8 days | 12 h | 42 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the DuPont schedule?
A 28-day rotation of 12-hour shifts for four teams: 4 nights, 3 off, 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights, 3 off, 4 days, 7 off.
How many hours a week is DuPont?
42 hours on average (168 hours every 28 days), but individual weeks range from 0 to 72 hours.
How many days off do you get on the DuPont schedule?
14 days off every 28 days, including 7 in a row.
ShiftRotations is an independent site. Rotations vary between employers and departments — always check your own schedule or contract.