The true costs of managing shift work

At BrightHR, we know that shift work is essential for many SMEs — from construction to healthcare and retail teams. But while flexible scheduling keeps businesses running, it can also create several challenges. Not just for business owners but for shift workers themselves.

As HR professionals and business owners, it’s time to ask: Are your shift patterns costing your business in ways you don’t even realise? In this guide we explore the cost of shifts. Covering the financial strains shift management can have on a business but also the hidden costs of shift work.  

Why shift management is an HR priority

Shift management literally keeps your business running. Making sure all business hours are covered by members of your team. For industries where different shift patterns, such as night shifts and rotating shifts are most common, accurate and efficient shift management is key. Helping keep businesses manned and workplaces safe.

For example:

Healthcare organisations require staff round-the-clock. This means managers must schedule nurses, doctors, and support workers across a 24-hour shift pattern. Ensuring all staff members are provided with accurate breaks during and between their shifts.

Challenges of shift management

Shift management, despite its daily importance, poses its own challenges to small business owners:

Offering staff flexibility

Your employees have busy lives outside of work, with responsibilities that often requires some flexibility in their daily routines. With any shift worker it is important to consider their needs as well as those of the business. The challenge with this though, is finding the right way to manage the requests and expectations of so many workers.

Compliance requirements and risks

The Working Time Regulations are a key piece of employment legislation in the Uk governing the amount of time employees spend working. Also ensuring workers are provided sufficient breaks. Shifts and rotas must comply with employment laws for businesses to avoid hefty fines and employment tribunals.

Employee communication

Ever had staff miss shifts because they didn’t know they were scheduled to work? It happens to businesses every day. It’s a simple issue of miscommunication. But this simple challenge of making staff aware of their working patterns can quickly snowball into something much bigger.

Understaffing can lead to work backlogs, and costly errors, especially in businesses where the number of staff in a workplace is highly critical for health and safety compliance.

Is inaccurate shift scheduling burdening your business’ finances?

Not only do these challenges make staff scheduling often complicated and sometimes headache inducing. They can further cost your business.

Small errors in your rota planning can result in:

• Increased labour costs

• Missed opportunities during peak times

• Legal issues resulting in hefty fines

• High staff turnover driving up your recruitment costs

Not only this but there ar ehidden costs damaging your business’ efficiency…

The hidden costs of shift work

Shift work often disrupts natural sleep cycles, leading to fatigue, stress, and long-term health issues. Studies show that irregular hours and night shifts are linked to: 

• Higher rates of anxiety and depression 

• Reduced cognitive performance and decision-making 

• Increased absenteeism and burnout 

For SMEs, these issues aren’t just personal — they’re operational. A tired, disengaged workforce means lower productivity, more errors, and higher turnover. And in small teams, every shift counts. 

In today’s workplace, mental health is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a strategic imperative. Employees who feel supported and well-rested are: 

• More engaged and productive 

• Less likely to take sick leave 

• More loyal to their employer 

That’s why smart HR teams are rethinking how they manage shift work — not just to fill open shifts, but to protect their people. 

How smart rota planning helps create responsible employee schedules

At BrightHR, we’ve built tools that help SMEs balance business needs with employee wellbeing. Helping to cut costs and admin time whilst also supporting your staff.

Our shifts and rotas tool is designed to combat the costs of shift work, both the financial strains and the hidden costs impacting your staff.

Fatigue-aware scheduling  

With an 360-degree view of your team’s schedules and working patterns, it’s easy to quickly identify when a team member may need a break. Making sure to relieve employees of long workdays when they are tired and stressed. Afterall, a well-rested worker is a happier more productive one.

Employee wellbeing support

Not only does BrightHR offer a built-in shifts and rotas tool, but our clients also have access to a nationwide EAP service. Providing employee wellbeing support for any member of your team.

Smart shift scheduling

Smart scheduling empowers managers to build rosters that are not only compliant with labor laws but also considerate of individual employee needs. By factoring in availability, preferences, and workload balance, it helps prevent burnout and fosters a more engaged, motivated team. The result is a smoother operation with fewer conflicts, improved retention, and a workplace culture built on trust and transparency.

An innovative cost of shifts feature

Want to know how much your shift scheduling may be costing your business? With BrightHR, not only can you streamline rota planning but you can also make it more cost-effective too. With our innovative cost of shifts feature you can calculate how much each shift is costing you in labour costs, overtime, sick pay and more. See daily and weekly breakdowns to support your budgeting.

24/7 HR Support 

24/7 HR support ensures you're never alone when navigating sensitive workplace challenges, including mental health concerns. Whether you're facing a complex situation or just need quick guidance, our dedicated advice line offers expert support around the clock. This constant availability helps foster a safer, more supportive environment for both managers and employees.

How BrightHR can help with shift scheduling

With BrightHR you can enhance your approach to shift scheduling, maker smarter decisions that benefit your business and your teams. With a centralised, digital view of your schedules, you can easily manage your rotas in one platform. Without having to juggle spreadsheets and timesheets. You can quickly see where staff may be due a break or where more staff are required to cover busy shifts.

Book a free demo today to discover for yourself just how simple shift and rota planning can be. Save time and money with BrightHR.