Why a 28-Day Cycle is Bad for 12-Hour Shift Work

Introduction

The Pitman shift schedule consists of 12-hour shifts organized into a rotating pattern. A 28-day cycle consists of officers alternating between days on and days off in a such a way so that there is continuous coverage of all shifts. The cycle allows for a schedule that is predictable and that offers officers prolonged periods off-duty. However, the 28-day cycle also poses impediments to maintaining mental and physical health, work-life balance, and combating fatigue. Shifting to longer cycles such as 4, 6, or 12 months may be a way to alleviate some of the negative effects on police officers mental and physical health; it may also help to improve work-life balance and reduce burnout. This paper will discuss the detrimental effects of the 28-day cycle and describe the potential benefits of longer scheduling periods.

Burnout and Fatigue in a 28-Day Cycle

Burnout is a major issue for police officers working in the 28-day cycle (Modise, 2024). The schedule is repetitive and intense, and leaves little room for recovery. The demands of policing require officers to engage frequently in high-intensity work, where they may be routinely exposed to traumatic events. They are often under the eye of public scrutiny as well. The constant work and scrutiny are basic features of the 28-day cycle. Working in this cycle can cause officers to suffer from mental and physical decline, which can trigger burnout and impact staffing.

Burnout can be characterized by emotional or physical exhaustion, reduced performance quality, a lowered sense of personal accomplishment, poor morale, and an inclination to want to quit (McCarty et al., 2019). Physically, officers may experience chronic fatigue, muscle tension, and a weakened immune system, which means they are more susceptible to illness. Mentally, they may feel overwhelmed, irritable, disinclined to interact with the community in a positive manner, or disengaged from their work. Emotionally, burnout can appear as cynicism, reducing job satisfaction and performance for not just the officer who is experiencing burnout but also for those around him (McCarty et al., 2019).

In extreme cases, unresolved burnout can lead to serious mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. For law enforcement officers, this affects personal well-being and public safety. Burned-out officers can struggle with decision-making. They are more likely to have reduced empathy during interactions. They can be more prone to errors that compromise their personal integrity along with the safety of themselves of the community (Modise, 2024).

The repetitive nature of the 28-day cycle can worsen burnout for officers because it amplifies feelings of monotony and fatigue. The short duration of the cycle forces officers to adjust frequently to varying shift timings, which upsets their ability to establish consistent...

These repetitive rotations can create a sense of "time compression," where officers feel trapped in a continuous cycle of work with little time for rest and recovery (Modise, 2024).

Moreover, the intensity of 12-hour shifts compounds the issue. During these long hours, officers have to be alert and responsive. They may have to manage violent incidents or conduct investigations. Encounters could be filled with tension, and situations may arise where officers need to be cognitively and emotionally at their best. But when they have insufficient breaks between cycles, the accumulating stress can eat away at an officers ability to perform at his most professional level. This is a risk for all stakeholders.

The limited recovery time provided by the 28-day schedule is the biggest pitfall affecting officer burnout (Modise, 2024). The short recovery intervals keep officers from engaging in meaningful recreation outside of work, such as time spent with family, hobbies, or...

…likely to stay healthy over time. Good habits contribute to good health.

Operational and Organizational Benefits of Longer Cycles

It is also worth mentioning that the health and well-being of officers has substantial organizational benefits as well. This is because burnout and health complications often result in increased sick leave and absenteeism. With longer cycles, organizations can reduce these rates and have a more stable and reliable workforce. Longer cycles benefit the individual, which then in turn benefits the whole. Likewise, police officers who experience better work-life balance and health are more likely to be motivated to perform their duties with greater professionalism and attention to duty and ethics. Longer cycles improve morale and help with effecting a more supportive workplace environment where all officers are engaged. High burnout and poor health, on the other hand, only serve to contribute to high rates of attrition in law enforcement (Modise, 2024). Extending cycle lengths can help retain experienced officers by addressing the health-related factors that cause job dissatisfaction in the first place.

Conclusion

The 28-day cycle in the Pitman shift schedule may sound enticing at first glance, but it actually represents a problem when it comes to the well-being of police officers. The reason is simple: the short cycle creates a working atmosphere in which officers are more likely to experience burnout, circadian rhythm disruption, difficulties in maintaining work-life balance, and health risks. Every single one of these issues are made worse by the frequent changes such a schedule brings to ones life. If law enforcement organizations changed to longer cycles of 4, 6, or 12 months, it would reduce these detrimental outcomes substantially. Officers would have greater control over their own lives, greater predictability, greater alignment with their biological rhythms, and more opportunities for recreation, rejuvenation, and recovery. Longer shift cycles would benefit both individual…