Shift & Overtime Policy Survey - Sample

2009 Report: now available

The Shift & Overtime Policy Survey Report begins with a summary of the survey results, highlighting the main findings and showing trends based on comparisons with previous surveys.

Examples of summary pages from the 2007 report are:

This chart shows that the percentage paid as a premium for Regular Night Shift 5 Day working, has fallen in recent years.

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Guaranteed Hours For Call-Out

76% of companies who pay call-out by the number of hours worked (basic or overtime rate, with or without a call-out fee) guarantee a minimum number of hours pay irrespective of the actual time spent on the call-out. 

*           This is up slightly from 75% in 2005, 69% in 2003, 67% in 2001, 64% in 1999.

The median number of guaranteed hours is 3.   The average is 2.7.  The figures for this and previous years are:

                    Median           Average

2007                3                      2.7
2005                4                      3.3
2003                3                      3.2
2001                4                      3.4
1999                3                      3.2

The survey results are then covered in full, with each topic including graphs, statistical analysis and comments made by participants where appropriate.

For the analysis of shift patterns, data is presented company by company to show the full working arrangements including length of shift cycle, hours worked per shift/week per individual, number of shift crews, shift premium (either as a percentage of basic or as an annual cash figure), meal breaks, etc.

For policies on time off in lieu, standby and call-out working, typical pages are:

Standby Payment Calculation

The 60 companies paying for standby were asked how the payment is fixed and what is paid.  The responses are as follows:

Flat rate per hour	7    companies            (11.7%)
Flat rate per occasion, shift, etc.	13  companies            (21.7%)
Flat rate per week-end day	12  companies            (20.0%)
Flat rate per Bank Holiday	11  companies            (18.3%)
Flat rate per week	10  companies            (16.7%)
Flat rate per year (on rota)	8    companies            (13.3%)
Other	10  companies            (16.7%)
No reply	4    companies            (  6.7%)

Some companies have more than one method of paying for standby.

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Policy documents supplied by participants are collated in an appendix to the report, and the full list of participants is also included.