Három műszakos munkarend és diákmunka: kihívások és lehetőségek

In this post, we will discuss the key rules of multi-shift work schedules, the relevant labor law regulations, and the health impacts of shift work. We will also explore what to consider when employing students, including the types of roles and conditions under which they can be hired. Let’s dive into the essentials!

How Does a Three-Shift Work Schedule Operate?

Multi-shift work refers to situations where employees perform the same tasks at different times. Unlike the standard work schedule, where working hours typically run from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, shift work involves regular changes to the start of the working day.

In flexible or unstructured work schedules, results are often the primary focus. In such cases, employees may have the freedom to determine their own daily start times.

What is a Three-Shift Work Schedule?

In a multi-shift schedule, employees perform their tasks in regular cycles, which employers may manage using a working time framework. This framework allows flexible scheduling within a set period, usually up to six months or 26 weeks, and, in exceptional cases, up to 36 months with a collective agreement. During this period, working hours are calculated collectively rather than daily, giving the employer control over daily start times, required hours, and rest periods.

Benefits for Companies

Multi-shift work is particularly common in industries and sectors where uninterrupted production or service delivery is essential. The three-shift schedule enables businesses to operate 24/7, which is a basic requirement for airports, train stations, logistics hubs, or certain healthcare facilities.

In the service sector, continuous customer support is becoming increasingly common and would be impossible without a multi-shift system.

In other industries, continuous operation optimizes equipment utilization, reduces unit costs, and ensures uninterrupted production. This makes the three-shift system popular in the automotive, electronics, and food industries.

How Does the Three-Shift Work Schedule Affect Employees’ Health?

Variable working hours can place significant physical and mental strain on employees. Prolonged night shifts can negatively impact health, as sleep patterns deviating from the circadian rhythm often result in poor-quality sleep. Irregular schedules can lead to superficial, less restorative rest, potentially compromising both employee health and workplace safety, increasing the risk of accidents.

Therefore, it’s crucial for employers to ensure adequate rest periods and minimize health risks to maintain safe working conditions. Scientific studies have shown that employees fare better when shifts rotate forward in time—for example, starting with morning, then afternoon, and finally night shifts. Additionally, providing at least two consecutive days off weekly allows for proper recovery.

What Labor Laws Govern Multi-Shift Work Schedules?

The Labor Code treats multi-shift work as a special case, with specific regulations. An employer's activities are classified as multi-shift if they amount to at least 80 hours per week—i.e., if a group of employees regularly works in two or more shifts totaling at least 80 hours in a calendar week.

Employers may schedule regular working hours on Sundays, provided that at least one Sunday per month is designated as a rest day. The rest period between shifts is reduced from the usual 11 hours to at least 8 hours, but subsequent rest periods must compensate, ensuring a combined rest period of at least 22 hours.

Shift allowances aim to compensate for the added physical and mental strain of variable working hours. Employees are entitled to a 30% shift allowance if the start time of their daily work regularly changes. Regular changes are defined as occurring on at least one-third of workdays in a month, with at least a four-hour difference between the earliest and latest start times.

Students and the Three-Shift Work Schedule: How Can Companies Prepare?

The flexibility of students aligns well with the three-shift system, making them an excellent solution for companies requiring continuous operations.

In Which Cases Are Students Employed in Shift Work?

Logistics and warehouse tasks offer great opportunities for students without prior qualifications, such as stocking shelves or packaging products. With the growing prominence of e-commerce and increased market competition, such opportunities are becoming more frequent.

Continuous production is also common in manufacturing sectors, where cost optimization requires assembly lines to run overnight, with workers rotating shifts. Since these roles generally require minimal training, they are ideal for students. Additionally, many students today are proficient in at least one foreign language, making them valuable assets in hospitality, hotel management, or international call centers.

What Should Employers Consider When Hiring Students for Three-Shift Work?

Flexible scheduling is an attractive feature for Gen Y and Z students and offers valuable work experience. Achieving a work-life balance is a key expectation for new-generation students, so beyond mandatory legal requirements, it is important to provide adequate rest periods. Work schedules should accommodate their academic obligations, such as class timetables and exam schedules, to avoid conflicts with work hours.

How Does Offering Allowances Influence Students’ Willingness to Work?

For cooperative student work, offering shift allowances is not mandatory and is left to the discretion of the employer. However, competitive hourly wages and shift bonuses can be strong motivators, encouraging students to bring energy and value to the workplace. Beyond allowances, other forms of recognition, such as cafeteria benefits or academic support, can incentivize long-term commitment.

Take Advantage of Y Diák’s Quality Services

The three-shift work schedule can be a significant commitment, even for young employees. At Y Diák, we prioritize careful selection to recommend the most suitable candidates for specific tasks and positions. Whether you need a customer service representative, warehouse worker, or staff for roles requiring foreign language skills, strong communication, or physical endurance, Y Diák’s services are always reliable.

In addition to recruitment and onboarding, we handle payroll and all administrative responsibilities, allowing clients to focus their resources on organizing the work itself. If your company needs quality, reliable student workers for temporary or permanent roles, contact us today for a customized offer!