We create optimised shift operations to the exact needs of each of your departments.
A series of books covering the most common problems encountered in shift operations.
We have set up the most popular shifts patterns, ready to use
We all need to set up a Migration Plan to move workers to a new operation.
Banked Hours, sometimes known as ‘Reserved Hours’ is a powerful tool for managing unexpected events
How To Manage Your Shift Pattern
Workloads are hardly ever simple but are often made to fit into established preconceptions.Most workloads vary with time and they need constant attention to keep them optimised: 1. There are annual variations where the workload goes up and down on a seasonal basis.2. There are weekly variations where weekdays and weekends have different workloads.3. There are daily variations where the work changes over the 24-hours.4. There are unpredictable workloads that vary randomly.5. There are the one-off workloads that occur during the day, or for a day, or a week.We create shift operations that match these exacting requirements. Creating a perfect shift operation is never going to be a simple task.There are 12 steps in the process and these are:1.We create the perfect shift pattern that works for you.2.We analyse your workload so that the operation does what it is supposed to do3.We set up a Holiday Management Plan so staff holidays are no longer a problem4.We show you how we do it all so you can do it yourself in future5.We show you how to run the shift pattern6.We analyse and organise cover for absences7.We make sure you can include training so you are future proofed8.We set up the plans for a reward structure that works for everyone, the company and the staff9.We organise the negotiations between you and the unions and staff10.We set up the migration plan to move staff onto the new operation.11.We set up new terms of employment 12.We can set up the right shift allowances for any shift operation
If you would like to discuss your shift working operations and find out how we can help, please contact us.
Every shift operation has to be built to stingent criteria of: purpose, internal and legal employment rules, costs and to create a good work/life balance. However very few operations remain static year on year. Whether it is a Production facility, security, health, control room, utilities or university, things will change. There will be new skills, new equipment, new and different work and products. How we live and work has changed a great deal in the last few years because of the pandemic. The next jolt may be AI and robots. We continually evolve and adapt, and your shift operation needs to too. We aim to maximise the lifespan of your new operation by designing features that can change as your needs change. We can repurpose an existing, but inefficient, operation into an exciting new operation that brings many benefits to you and your employees. A ‘4-day week’ (see below). How to give your employees12 weeks of time off, see our selection of holiday included shift patterns. Need to re-assess any shift premiums for the next operation, choose your method. Need to mitigate the effects of holidays and absences, read our book. Would you like to read a few books on setting up efficient, self-suffient, nice shift operations, see our range of books. Trying to fit a new operation into an old way of working is never easy, so we design Migration Plans.How can we help you? Drawing on our cross-sector experience, we work with you to analyse your requirements and create the most efficient and sustainably resilient solution.
We are based in the UK, specialising is shift scheduling, but our clients are worldwide. Our consultants work with public, private and nonprofit organizations across all industries and regions. We help our clients build teams, assess workloads and create operations that can meet today’s challenges and anticipate the digital, economic and political trends that are reshaping the global business environment. From helping boards with their structure, culture and effectiveness to identifying, to assessing and defining the best response and determining the optimal staffing levels required. Our consultants bring their decades of expertise to help clients address their most complex staffing issues. We exist to improve the way the world works.We immerse ourselves into your business so we can share know-how and solve problems. Our experience and understanding of your business brings a fresh perspective to the operation and will often be a catalyst for change by providing strategic advice, coaching, training and solutions
Who uses shifts? Industry Automation & Robotics, Lean & Continuous Improvement, Supply Chain & Logistics, Pharma, Printing, Quality & Safety, Packaging, Control Rooms, Police & Security, Utilities, Telecommunications, Tourism & Hospitality, Hospitals & Universities, Government agencies.
Shift Patterns and ConsultantsDr Angela Moore & Alec Jezewski
No more holiday problems and all employees love it.
Flexible working that gives employees a great work/life balance.
All about finding out how many people to employ.
All about removing problems caused by absence.
Explains about Fatigue and shift work and how to mitigate it.
Banked Hours, a powerful tool for managing unexpected events
300 shift patterns in 15 volumes
Business stategy and pandemics
Being a successful shift manager is about managing people,
Driving success through change
How to use Erlang C for your call centre
How to give everyone the holidays they want.
We set up private courses for our clients from over 1,000 videos
How to swing the move to Holidays Included Shift Patterns
Explaining how to use VisualrotaX
The basics of how to run a shift operation.
What to do if everyone is off sick.
Staff scheduling made easy
A few of the most popular shift patterns.
Revolutionise Your Shift Operations with VisualrotaX50 Software
Meet the Creator of VisualrotaX
Hi there! I'm Dr Angela Moore, the creator of VisualrotaX Software. With over 25 years of experience in shift planning and operations, I understand the challenges you face. I'm excited to share this innovative solution with you to simplify your shift management and drive efficiency in your operations.
Take the first step towards seamless shift management. Download VisualrotaX Software now and transform the way you plan and run shifts.
oUr range of books will stay with you for the whole of your professional life.they will never be out of date
How To Manage Your Shift Pattern: CDT02 Seminar
An essential management reference book that no manager should be with out.
BOOKS
Managing Shift Patterns WorkshopNewark 5th November 2025
Previous Attendees
Bord Gais | Borough of Merton | CSM | Chelsea Royal Hospital | Crown Prosecution Service | Croda | Coors Brewery | Dairy Crest | Glasgow Museums | Hillarys Blinds | HJ Heinz | Metropolitan Police | Northampton University | SOCA | TwinningsContact us to register your interest in our workshop
Location: Kelham Hall
Length: 1 dayDate: 5th november 2025Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PMCost £550+vat per person Discounts available for group bookings.
Managing Shift Patterns WorkshopMany organisations managing shift operations face similar issues, such as accommodating staff holidays and handling absences. Our expertise lies in helping organisations develop systems that allow employees to take holidays without disrupting operations, as well as providing effective solutions to cover both expected and unexpected absences.Course Overview This workshop combines our deep knowledge of shift pattern design and operational policies to deliver a comprehensive course tailored to tackle these challenges. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies for optimizing shift management, ensuring smoother operations and improved productivity.This course is expertly developed for HR professionals, managers at all levels, and operations coordinators. It is ideal for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of shift pattern operations and effective management of operational processes.
What’s Included?✔ 1-Day In-Person Course – A hands-on, interactive session with limited spots for personalised attention ✔ Refreshments & Lunch – Enjoy refreshments throughout the day, plus a working lunch ✔ Exclusive Book – How to Manage Your Shift Pattern: Holidays and Absence (valued at £100) ✔ Notes Workbook – A companion guide with slides and reference notes ✔ SupplementaryOnline Video Course Access – One-month access to an extensive video training program (over 16 hours of content) ✔ Downloadable Software – A management tool designed to streamline shift operations for teams of up to 25 employees
This practical and insightful course is designed for HR professionals, managers, and operations coordinators, equipping participants with essential tools to:Master holiday management strategies for seamless operationsDevelop effective coping mechanisms for staff absencesIdentify and resolve common shift management challengesMitigate fatigue and enhance productivity in shift-based environments
This is a great opportunity to gain expert insights and refine workforce management strategies. This is the only course available on shift work in Europe. If you’d like to reserve your spot or need more details, just reply to this email or contact me directly.If you want to explore the details further, you can visit my website for the full workshop information: https://shiftpatterns.com/services/managing-shift-patterns-workshop/
The primary purpose of training is to make the work easy and 1st-rate. It provides the means to put in place a 1st-rate procedure, not 2nd or 3rd-rate, in a uniform manner across the organisation. No one has to continuously reinvent the wheel when they meet the same problem time after time. The alternative is ‘trial and error’, mostly error naturally! Creating an efficient shift operation is never easy if you don’t take into account, right from the start, the problems you will have with Holidays and Absences.
About C-Desk TechnologyCDT is a global leader and pioneer in contingent workforce management. With over 30 years of proven expertise, innovation, and world-class data and intelligence, our industry-leading VisualrotaX enables companies to optimize talent and diversity goals while achieving operational and financial success. VisualrotaX allows companies to adapt quickly to the evolving work landscape, growing their extended workforce with greater agility, transparency, and speed.Risk Mitigation Procedures Fatigue Management Shift Operation Design At CDT, our vision is to be a highly valued, creative delivery partner, building a more sustainable world with our clients. We operate across Europe, the UK, Asia, and the USA, specializing in the design, construction, and commissioning of high-tech shift operations. Over the past three decades, we have honed our expertise working with the world's leading pharma, food, data center, and technology companies. Our track record also extends to the advanced manufacturing and energy sectors. To excel at the complex work we do, we prioritize understanding our clients' needs, fostering a culture of honesty, openness, and flexibility at every level of our business. Budgeting and Financial Modelling Innovative Thinking Requirement Analysis If your organization requires a new department, process, factory, or office, we can guide you through the process, infusing our knowledge into your management team. Our expertise spans various industries, including Automation & Robotics, Lean & Continuous Improvement, Supply Chain & Logistics, Pharma, Printing, Quality & Safety, Packaging, Control Rooms, Police & Security, Utilities, Telecommunications, Tourism & Hospitality, Hospitals & Universities, and Government agencies.Simulation Design Process Improvement Client UnderstandingWhen existing operations need to be optimized for efficiency, cost reduction, or expansion, we can help. A typical growth pattern involves scaling from an 8/5 operation (8 hours a day, 5 days a week) to more intensive schedules like 10/5, 10/6, 8/7, 16/5, 24/5, 24/6, and up to 24/365. By maximizing the use of the same floor space and equipment, we help operations become more efficient and profitable. We also cater to seasonal products, adjusting operations to match demand fluctuations.Whether you are looking to establish new operations in the UK or expand offshore, CDT is your trusted partner. We have successfully assisted companies in setting up new operations and expanding existing ones across borders.
We excel in contingent workforce management and high-tech shift operations, our core skills are essential:1.Project Management: We plan, execute, and oversee projects efficiently, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.2.Technical Expertise: Our knowledge in specialized fields such as Automation & Robotics, Lean & Continuous Improvement, Supply Chain & Logistics, and other relevant industries.3.Analytical Skills: Our capability to analyze data and trends to make informed decisions and optimize operations.4.Communication: We effectively collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and team members.5.Problem-Solving: We identify issues and develop innovative solutions to improve efficiency and productivity.6.Adaptability: We are able to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving industry standards.7.Leadership: We can lead your teams with a vision, fostering a culture of honesty, openness, and flexibility.8.Client Understanding: We understand our clients' needs and have the ability to tailor solutions to meet those needs.
VisualrotaXVisualrotaX is a shift scheduling system designed for organizations with complex shift patterns, particularly those operating 24/7 with variable staffing levels or with non-standard hours. It helps manage schedules, track absences, handle holidays, and optimize staffing levels. It has the ability to create and manage intricate shift patterns and its helpfulness in ensuring adequate staffing, improving efficiency, and tracking individual staff records is second to none. It is specifically designed to create new shift operations based on existing data and staff contracts exposing any pitfalls and providing the ability to simulate new solutions. It is a powerful tool that has the unique capability to overlay annual workload patterns onto any shift pattern and expose any flaws, such as overstaffing and understaffing in hourly, or shorter, time steps for the whole year. Key features and benefits of VisualrotaXShift Pattern Management:VisualrotaX excels at creating and managing all shift patterns, including those with rotating or non-standard hours. Absence Tracking:The system effectively tracks absences, including sickness and holidays, which is crucial for maintaining adequate staffing levels. Holiday Management:It assists with holiday allocation and ensures proper coverage when staff members are on leave. Improved Efficiency:By optimizing staffing and managing absences, VisualrotaX can contribute to reduced overtime, increased efficiency, and better resource allocation. Ease of Use:Most managers have found the system easy to learn and use, particularly for managing complex schedules. Detailed Reporting and Insights:VisualrotaX provides visibility into staffing levels, individual staff records, and overall operational performance, enabling data-driven decision-making.
In summary: VisualrotaX is a well-respected tool for organisations managing complex shift patterns, offering features for efficient scheduling, absence management, and staffing optimisation.
