Work Shifts and Shift Premiums

Summary of Policy

This policy defines second and third shift and eligibility for the payment of shift premiums.

Affected Parties

All Groups

Policy Statement

Applies to: All hourly employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. 

 

Within a 24-hour period there are three (3) typical work shifts/schedules that an employee may be asked to work. Most positions work first shift, generally between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, dependent on the needs of the organization. In some instances, due to the nature of the work, Dartmouth must employ people over the full 24-hour period and has therefore established second and third shifts.

Definitions of second and third shifts are:

  • Second Shift: 4:00 p.m. to midnight
  • Third Shift: midnight to 8:00 a.m.

Where a second or third shift work schedule is clearly defined for an hourly employee and occurs on a regular basis, Dartmouth will add a premium to the employee's base rate of pay referred to as a shift premium. Shift premium rates may vary by type of role.  Supervisors will notify eligible employees of the assigned shift premium rate.

If an employee is hired to specifically work on second or third shift, the employee's paid leave time (defined as Holiday, Personal Leave, Vacation Leave, or any other time for which the employee will be paid but is not working) will be paid at base pay plus the shift premium.

Policy ID

032-0073

Effective Date

December 1, 2013

Last Revised Date

December 1, 2025

Division

Office of the President

Office of Primary Responsibility

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Last Reviewed Date

December 1, 2025

Next Review Date

2030