The Pitman schedule — also called the 2-2-3 — runs on a 14-day cycle: two days on, two off, three on, two off, two on, three off. On 12-hour shifts it averages 42 hours a week, never has you work more than three days in a row, and gives every other weekend off. Set your start date above to map your work and off days.
The Pitman (2-2-3) rotation
Over two weeks, one team works 2 on, 2 off, 3 on in the first week, then 2 off, 2 on, 3 off in the second — seven work days across the fourteen. The numbers "2-2-3" name the worked blocks. Its defining feature is the weekend rhythm: because the cycle is exactly two weeks, you get every other weekend off, and a three-day weekend at that, while the alternate weekend is worked.
Four teams cover the full week — typically two on 12-hour days and two on 12-hour nights. Workers often stay on a fixed shift (always days or always nights); the Panama schedule is the variant that rotates the same 2-2-3 pattern slowly between days and nights.
Hours and who works it
Seven 12-hour shifts every 14 days is 84 hours a fortnight, an average of 42 hours a week. The short blocks (never more than three in a row) make it one of the easier 12-hour rotations to recover from, which is why it's popular in healthcare and nursing, law enforcement and corrections, fire and EMS, and 24/7 security and dispatch.
Worked example
Start on a Monday and week one runs: work Mon–Tue, off Wed–Thu, work Fri–Sun (a worked weekend). Week two flips: off Mon–Tue, work Wed–Thu, off Fri–Sun — your three-day weekend. Then it repeats. You're never more than three shifts from a break, and the weekend you have off is a full Friday-to-Sunday. Set your start date above to see your own dates.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Every other weekend off — a three-day one | You still work the alternate weekend |
| Never more than three shifts in a row | 12-hour shifts are long |
| Short two-week cycle is easy to memorise | 42-hour average brings recurring overtime |
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Pitman and 2-2-3?
They're the same schedule — "2-2-3" names the worked blocks of the Pitman rotation.
How is Pitman different from Panama?
Same 2-2-3 work pattern. On Pitman you usually keep a fixed shift; the Panama schedule rotates you slowly between days and nights, typically every couple of weeks.
How many hours a week is the Pitman schedule?
An average of 42 — seven 12-hour shifts across each 14-day cycle.
How do I total my hours for a Pitman week?
Map the days here, then use the time card calculator to add up the actual times with breaks and overtime.