Teams that find a weekly on-call rotation too long and a daily on-call rotation too short often end up choosing between 2-day and 4-day on-call rotations.
This guide compares both these on-call rotations across three key criteria. For each criterion, we have discussed how it works for 2-day and 4-day on-call rotations and recommended what to choose when.
To make it easy, we also included a comparison table for a quick overview. This gives you all the information you need at a glance.
Let’s dive in!
Table of contents
2-day vs. 4-day on-call rotations: Key criteria
Here are the three criteria we use to compare these on-call rotations:
- Handling incident volume: How sustainable is the on-call rotation when incidents trigger frequently versus when they are rare
- Recovery time between shifts: How much time off do you get between shifts to recharge before going back on-call
- Ease of tracking shifts: How easy it is to know when you’re on-call without checking the schedule
2-day vs. 4-day on-call rotations: Comparison
| Criteria | 2-day on-call rotation | 4-day on-call rotation |
|---|---|---|
| Handling incident volume | Works for high volume of incidents. | Best for low volume of incidents. |
| Recovery time between shifts | Short yet regular breaks. | Longer breaks rather than a brief pause. |
| Schedule predictability | Shifts change twice a week. Hard to track without a calendar. | Shifts change weekly. Slightly easier to track. |
Handling incident volume: 2-day vs. 4-day on-call rotations
How often incidents trigger probably matters most when picking an on-call rotation length. There is a simple rule of thumb that often helps here: On-call rotation length should be inversely proportional to incident volume. When incidents are frequent, shorter on-call rotations tend to work better. When they are rare, longer on-call rotations often make sense.
2-day on-call rotation
A 2-day on-call rotation handles high incident volume quite well. Even if your phone rings constantly, you know the shift ends in two days. You handle incidents for a contained period and then pass your on-call duties to the next person. This prevents anyone from carrying a heavy incident load for too long.
When the incident volume is low, the 2-day on-call rotation still works fine. However, the only downside is that you rotate shifts frequently, even when there are fewer or no incidents during your shift.
4-day on-call rotation
A 4-day on-call rotation usually fits best when your systems are stable. If incidents trigger only occasionally, staying on-call for four days is quite manageable. It also gives you enough continuity to see issues through without the hassle of constant handoffs.
However, four days can be a bit overwhelming if incident volume is high. It becomes even more challenging when you have strict SLAs to meet.
What to choose when
- Consider a 2-day on-call rotation if you have a high incident volume
- Try a 4-day on-call rotation if you have a low to moderate incident volume
What if my incident volume varies?
It’s usually better to pick the on-call rotation that handles your busiest weeks rather than your quietest ones. A longer on-call rotation might be fine during slow periods, but it can become overwhelming when incidents suddenly spike. A shorter on-call rotation handles those peaks better and still feels manageable when things are quiet.
Recovery time between shifts: 2-day vs. 4-day on-call rotations
When you pick an on-call rotation, it usually helps to look at the time off and not just the time on-call. The gap between your shifts often determines how well you recover.
2-day on-call rotation
With three people rotating, you stay on-call for two days. Then, you are off for four days before your turn comes around again.
The breaks are regular but short. Some people might feel they never quite settle into being fully off-call because the on-call rotation comes back around so quickly.
4-day on-call rotation
With the same three-person team, a 4-day on-call rotation gives you eight days off between shifts. That is more than a full week away from incidents. Many teams might find this recovery window quite appealing because it feels like a proper rest rather than just a brief pause.
However, you do need to handle on-call duties for four consecutive days to earn that longer break. If those four days are relatively calm, the trade-off is usually worth it. But if incidents trigger constantly, four days can be exhausting even with the promise of a long break afterward.
What to choose when
- Consider a 2-day on-call rotation if you prefer shorter but more frequent breaks
- Try a 4-day on-call rotation if you value longer stretches of time off from on-call duties
Ease of tracking shifts: 2-day vs. 4-day on-call rotations
Both on-call rotations create a sliding schedule. Your on-call days move through the week rather than landing on fixed days. This happens because neither 2 nor 4 divides neatly into 7. (If only weeks had 8 days, on-call life would be so much easier)
2-day on-call rotation
With a 2-day on-call rotation and three people, your on-call days shift through the week. You might be on Monday-Tuesday one cycle and then Sunday-Monday the next. The pattern keeps moving.
You need to check your schedule more often because shifts change fast. It can be harder to remember when you’re up next. Planning social events or appointments almost always requires pulling up the calendar.
4-day on-call rotation
A 4-day on-call rotation works the same way. Your shifts slide through the calendar. You can’t say “I’m always on-call on Tuesdays” because the days change each cycle.
The main difference is frequency. You have longer stretches between shifts, and this gives you more runway for planning personal commitments.
What to choose when
Both on-call rotations have similar tracking challenges. If this is your top concern, a weekly Monday-to-Monday on-call rotation might work better. But between these two options, a 4-day on-call rotation gives you slightly more planning time because shifts change less frequently.
Both on-call rotations have their strengths. A 2-day on-call rotation keeps demanding shifts manageable, while a 4-day on-call rotation offers valuable long breaks.
The best approach is often to pick one on-call rotation, run it for a few weeks, and check how the team feels about it. If it is too intense or too disjointed, you can always switch. Finding the right rhythm usually takes a bit of experimentation.
Good luck!
FAQs
How long should I try an on-call rotation before deciding it’s not working?
It usually helps to run an on-call rotation for at least three to four cycles before making a judgment. This gives everyone a chance to experience different days of the week and various incident patterns.
How do I know if my current on-call rotation is actually working?
Check in on people about how they feel at the end of their shifts. If they seem consistently exhausted or response times are slipping, the on-call rotation might be too long. If people feel they’re constantly context-switching, it might be too short. Regular check-ins with the team usually reveal what needs adjusting.
Is a 3-day on-call rotation a good middle ground?
It certainly can be. It sits between the quick turnaround of a 2-day shift and the long haul of a 4-day one. You avoid switching contexts quite so often, but you also don’t have to sustain focus for nearly as long. It usually offers a good rhythm if the other options don’t work for you.