Working 12 Hours a Day? Learn What a Long Shift Is and How to Calculate the Pay

For workers in the culinary, retail, manufacturing, or 24-hour service industries, the term long shift is nothing new.

But many still don’t fully understand what a long shift actually means, how it’s regulated in Indonesia, or how to calculate the correct overtime pay.

This article will guide you through the concept of long shifts—from its definition and legal framework to an overtime pay simulation.

What is a Long Shift?

A long shift is a work schedule where employees work longer than the standard daily working hours—typically 10–12 hours per day, including break time.

This is longer than regular shifts, which usually last 7–8 hours per day.

Long shifts are typically implemented:

• When the company is chasing production targets
• Leading up to project deadlines
• For 24-hour operations (such as restaurant kitchens or logistics services)

It’s important to differentiate between long shift and double shift.

Double shifts involve two separate work sessions in a day and are usually spontaneous, while long shifts are scheduled in advance and follow a more structured plan.

Even though long shifts are not explicitly regulated in Indonesian labor law, they must still comply with standard working hour limits and provide proper overtime compensation.

Read more: Confused About Handling Restaurant Rush Hours? Use Shift Middle as an Effective Strategy

Long Shift Regulations in Indonesia

Source: freepik.com

So far, the term “long shift” is not specifically defined in Indonesia’s labor laws.

However, several general rules still apply and must be followed by employers.

Legal Basis:

• Law No. 13 of 2003 on Manpower
• Law No. 11 of 2020 on Job Creation
• Government Regulation No. 35 of 2021 on Work Agreements

Working Hour Limits:

• 5 workdays/week → max 8 hours/day
• 6 workdays/week → max 7 hours/day
• Total max: 40 hours/week

If employees work more than this, the company is required to pay overtime wages.

Exceptions:

Based on Ministerial Decree No. 233 of 2003, some sectors are allowed to apply shift systems (including long shifts), such as:

• Food & Beverage and tourism
• Healthcare
• Transportation
• Media and telecommunications
• Public utilities (electricity, water, fuel)
• Security and cleaning services.

However, implementing long shifts must still be based on a mutual agreement between the company and employees, ensuring:

• Adequate rest
• Fair overtime pay
• Worker health and safety

How to Calculate Long Shift Overtime Pay

Since long shift hours exceed the legal working limit, employees are entitled to overtime compensation.

Overtime Formula (based on PP No. 35/2021):

• First hour of overtime:
  1.5 × (1/173 × monthly salary)
  
• Subsequent hours:
  2 × (1/173 × monthly salary)

Example:

David is a logistics staff working 10 hours/day with a monthly salary of IDR 6,500,000.

• Overtime: 2 hours/day
• Calculation:
  • 1st hour:
    1.5 × (1/173 × 6,500,000) = Rp56,225
  • 2nd hour:
    2 × (1/173 × 6,500,000) = Rp74,966
  • Total daily overtime = Rp131,191

If David works 22 days/month, his total overtime pay would be:
Rp131,191 × 22 = Rp2,886,202

With this calculation, employers can ensure transparent and compliant compensation for long shift employees.

Read more: Tips Make Employees Motivated? Here Are the Facts and the Right Way to Give Them in Restaurants

Is Long Shift Suitable for Culinary Businesses?

Culinary businesses often operate longer hours—especially during lunch and dinner rush, or during promotions and events.

When managed properly, long shifts can be an efficient staffing strategy. However, they still require strong operational support, such as:

• Automatic shift tracking
• Flexible schedule management
• Integration with payroll and reporting systems

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• Automatically track employee shift schedules
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Beyond improving efficiency, ESB also helps minimize human error and boost customer satisfaction.

FAQ About Long Shift

1. What is a long shift?

A long shift is a work schedule where employees work longer than standard daily hours, typically 10–12 hours per day, including break time.

2. What’s the difference between a long shift and a double shift?

• Long shift → Extended working hours in a single scheduled shift
• Double shift → Two separate work shifts in one day, usually on short notice and less structured.

3. Is a long shift legal in Indonesia?

Yes, long shifts are allowed as long as they comply with the maximum weekly working hours (40 hours/week) and overtime pay regulations.

4. Which sectors are allowed to implement long shifts?

According to regulations, permitted sectors include: F&B, tourism, healthcare, transportation, media, public utilities, security, and cleaning services.

5. What are the working hour rules for long shifts?

• 5 working days/week → maximum 8 hours/day
• 6 working days/week → maximum 7 hours/day

Any hours beyond this count as overtime.

6. Are long shift workers entitled to overtime pay?

Yes. Overtime pay must follow Government Regulation No. 35/2021, with 1.5 times the hourly rate for the first hour and 2 times the hourly rate for subsequent hours.

7. How do you calculate long shift overtime pay?

Formula:

• First hour: 1.5 × (1/173 × monthly salary)
• Subsequent hours: 2 × (1/173 × monthly salary)

8. What are the risks if a long shift is not managed properly?

Risks include employee fatigue, lower productivity, potential labor law violations, and higher turnover rates.

Conclusion

Long shifts are extended work schedules widely used in culinary and 24-hour service industries.

While they offer operational flexibility, they must still comply with labor laws, respect workers’ rights, and ensure fair compensation.

To implement long shifts effectively in your business, you need a reliable operational system.

ESB simplifies shift management, overtime tracking, and daily operations—all in one platform.

Consult with the ESB team today and optimize your business—from kitchen to cashier!