SHIFT PAY GUIDE
The 2-2-3 (Panama) Schedule, Explained — With a Free Generator
The 2-2-3 — also called the Panama schedule — is the most popular 12-hour rotating pattern in the US. Work 2, off 2, work 3; then the pattern flips. You're never on more than three days in a row, and every other weekend is a full 3-day weekend. Here's exactly how it works and what it does to your paycheck.
The 14-day cycle
The full cycle is two weeks: ON-ON-off-off-ON-ON-ON, then off-off-ON-ON-off-off-off. Week one is 48 scheduled hours (four twelves), week two is 36 (three twelves) — averaging 42 hours a week, which is why 2-2-3 jobs usually quote an '84-hour biweekly' schedule.
Four crews cover the clock: two on days, two on nights, offset so someone is always on. Some sites rotate crews between days and nights monthly or quarterly; others keep fixed day/night teams.
Why people like it (and what to watch)
The wins: every other weekend fully off, never more than three consecutive shifts, and a rhythm your family can memorize. The catches: the 48-hour weeks are genuinely long, and if your crew rotates day/night, the flip weeks are rough on sleep.
The pay math
Under federal weekly OT rules, the 48-hour weeks include 8 overtime hours, and the 36-hour weeks include none — your paychecks alternate sizes. With a night differential on top (say +$4/hr), the OT hours on night crews pay 1.5× the differential-included rate.
This alternating pattern is exactly what ShiftCheck's rotation autofill was built for: stamp the 2-2-3 across your month, and the app shows each week's OT and both paycheck sizes before payday does.
Do the math for your numbers: Rotating schedule generator →
FAQ
How many hours a year is a 2-2-3 schedule?
About 2,184 scheduled hours (42 hours/week average × 52 weeks) — versus 2,080 for a standard 40-hour job. The extra ~104 hours are usually overtime-paid.
Is every other weekend really off?
Yes — the 14-day cycle guarantees one Friday-Saturday-Sunday completely off every two weeks (and you work the other weekend).
What's the difference between 2-2-3 and Pitman?
They're the same daily on/off pattern; 'Pitman' usually emphasizes fixed day/night crews with slow or no rotation, while Panama/2-2-3 crews often rotate between days and nights.
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More guides: What Is Shift Differential? Rates & Examples (2026) · Overtime on 12-Hour Shifts: Weekly vs Daily Rules · Pitman vs DuPont Schedule: Which 12-Hour Rotation Wins?