Second shift hours generally refer to the work period in the late afternoon and evening, bridging the gap between the first (day) shift and the third (night) shift. Typical second shift hours vary slightly by industry and company but commonly fall within these ranges:
- Start time: Between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM
- End time: Between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM
More specifically, common examples include 3 PM to 11 PM, 4 PM to midnight, or 5 PM to 1 AM
. This shift is also called the afternoon shift or swing shift and is prevalent in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, hospitality, and service sectors. It allows employees to have mornings free and often benefits those who prefer working later in the day or have daytime commitments
. In summary, second shift hours typically run from mid to late afternoon until late evening or around midnight, with start times commonly between 3 PM and 5 PM and end times between 11 PM and 1 AM.