Shift system - Kindly advise what are the procedures to be followed?

We proposed to engage two of our employees to shift the system from the general shift. Our general shift time is 9.00 a.m. t0 5.30 p.m.
Proposed shift timing is 6.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 10.00 pm. Kindly advise what are the procedures to be followed?

Dear Colleague,
It is not clear whether you are mentioning it for a Factory or Shop. In case if it is a factory, as per provisions of Factories Act and Tamil Nadu Factories Rules you need to show the shift timings in the FORM 11 and file it to the Dy Director of Industrial Safety and Health having jurisdiction in your area. In case of overlapping of shift, then you need to get exemption from the authority mentioning the timings in the FORM 11.

General Shift and then 6.00 AM to 2.00PM / 2.00 PM to 10 PM /10 PM to 6AM is quite common shift timing in Factories. Kindly have a look if you have a Standing Order for your factory and comply with other conditions if any like Notice of Change etc
All the Best, God Bless
Dr.P.SIVAKUMAR
Doctor Siva Global HR
Tamil Nadu

Dr. P.Sivakumar' points are valid and relevant. Employer has got all rights to change, revise, modify shifts subject to provisions and communication in advance.

Ram K Navaratna

9 to 5.30, 6 to 2, 2 to 10 are just mathematical calculation. Shift timings are decided for maximum utilisation of production resources. However, it has also to be considered the transport available. What is the distance between working place and residence, whether public transport is availbale at 5 am and 10 pm, if employer is providing transport arrangement, or if travelling allowance is paid are some of various considerations while deciding shift timings. Factories Act tells us not more than 9 hours a day and not more than 48 hours a week and half an hour rest after 5 hours of work. It does not tell us timing of shift. That is left to convenience of employer and employees. Overlapping timiing in shifts is normally not allowed. But where preperatory work is done, one shift can start at say 7 and next shift can start at 7.30. This happens where boiler is to be heated for production. Factories act is meant to provide health, safety and welfare for workers. Keeping that in mind we can decide the timiing of the shifts. It is still better to take yes from workers or union.
Vibhakar Ramtirthkar, Pune.

I believe that reference to standing orders will make it easy to implement the shift system.
There has to be proper communication with in the legal frame to start a shift system.
Also it is required that proper welfare, safety measure be taken while the system is to be put in force.
Manager and supervisors are to take due care for proper implementation.