written by Work schedules organized in 12-hour shifts followed by 24 hours of rest, or in 24-hour shifts followed by 48 hours off, are increasingly common in industries such as manufacturing, security, healthcare, or transportation.
What the Labor Code Says About the 12-Hour Work Schedule
According to the Romanian Labor Code updated in 2025, employers may organize such work schedules as long as:
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the maximum legal weekly working time (40 hours) is respected,
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appropriate rest periods are granted,
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overtime and work performed on weekends or at night are compensated with legal or contractually agreed bonuses.
For companies managing complex shift schedules, an efficient solution is using an electronic time-tracking system that ensures traceability and accurate calculations.
Daily Working Time According to Article 112 (2)
The Labor Code stipulates that the normal working time is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. However, Article 112 (2) specifies that:
“The daily working time may exceed 8 hours, provided that adequate rest periods are granted and the average weekly working time does not exceed 40 hours.”
Therefore, 12-hour shifts are legally permitted, as long as the working time is organized so that the weekly average does not exceed 40 hours.
Bonuses for 12/24 Work Schedules
After a 12-hour workday, the employee must benefit from at least 24 hours of rest. In the case of 24-hour shifts, the minimum rest period increases to 48 hours.
In addition:
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Weekly rest is two consecutive days, according to Article 137 (1).
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If these days cannot be granted on Saturday and Sunday, the employee is entitled to a weekend bonus, established by contract.
Bonuses Granted for Extended Shifts
An important element when calculating the gross salary for a 12/24 work schedule is the inclusion of legal or contractual bonuses. The most common include:
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Night work bonus – minimum 25% of the base salary for hours worked between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;
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Weekend bonus – a percentage established by the collective or individual labor contract, applicable when rest days are not on Saturday and Sunday;
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Overtime bonus – at least 75% of the base salary for overtime hours, if equivalent time off is not granted.
To avoid calculation errors, many companies choose to outsource payroll services so that all these bonuses are managed automatically.
How to Calculate Gross Salary for a 12/24 Work Schedule – Practical Example
To better understand how to calculate the gross salary for 12-hour shifts, let’s look at an updated example for November 2025.
Base data for calculation:
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Work schedule: 12 hours/day, followed by 24 hours off
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Night shifts: 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
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Base gross monthly salary: 4,000 lei
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Monthly working norm: 168 hours
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Night bonus: 25%
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Weekend bonus: 5% (for rest days other than Saturday and Sunday)
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Number of night shifts worked in November: 7
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Number of night hours per shift: 8
Gross salary formula and result:
Gross salary = (Working hours × Hourly rate) + (Night hours × Night bonus) + (Weekend bonus × Base salary)
Hourly rate = 4,000 lei ÷ 168 hours = 23.81 lei/hour
Night hour bonus = 23.81 lei × 25% = 5.95 lei/hour
Total night hours = 8 hours × 7 shifts = 56 night hours
Thus, the gross salary for the respective month, including night and weekend bonuses, amounts to 4,533.20 lei.
Organizing a 12/24 work schedule or extended shifts involves more than just tracking attendance. It requires:
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compliance with labor legislation on maximum working time,
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granting of legal rest periods,
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correct calculation of applicable bonuses.
With an integrated solution like MyStaff Time and HR Consulting Services, companies can automate time-tracking processes, avoid errors, and ensure accurate and compliant payroll.
We are Smartree, liders in HR outsourcing and personnel administration services, active for 25 years on the Romanian HR market. We bring innovative, strategic, and automated solutions for your HR challenges. Beyond payroll and HR specialists, legislative consultants, and creators of the MyStaff platform, we aim above all to be your trusted partner. Contact us for a discussion!
