Shift Roster
Also called: staff roster, duty roster, shift schedule
What is Shift Roster?
A shift roster is the planned schedule of which staff work which hours across a week. In hospitality and retail it is the main lever on labour cost, because it decides how staffing matches demand.
Why Shift Roster matters
Rostering to headcount rather than to expected demand is how labour cost percentage drifts upward. The waste is rarely dramatic — it is two extra people on a quiet Tuesday, every Tuesday.
Shift Roster formula
Labour hours needed = Forecast covers ÷ Covers served per labour hour
Compare against rostered hours to see the gap.
How Shift Roster works in practice
Build the roster from forecast covers or footfall by day-part, publish it early enough to be fair, and review actual against planned hours weekly. Small mismatches repeated daily are what the monthly number is made of.
Frequently asked questions
At least a week. Late rosters cost goodwill and produce last-minute overtime.