Create a 4-on-4-off rotation in PayCheck AI: ready-to-use template

Why a day-based 4 on 4 off rotation works

The 4 on 4 off pattern repeats every eight days and is straightforward to repeat across months. It’s especially helpful where a consistent block schedule is required (e.g., healthcare, security, manufacturing). A day-based rotation lets you set shifts by date rather than fixed weekdays so the pattern remains intact across calendar months.

Before importing, check your workplace rules: overtime multipliers, night pay windows and weekend definitions vary by country, collective agreement and employer policy. This guide shows how to model typical scenarios so you can compare estimated gross pay using PayCheck AI’s estimate feature.

Ready-to-use 4 on 4 off day-based rotation template (daily pattern)

Use this simple repeating block as a starting point. It assumes identical shift length for each ‘on’ day (change times to suit your needs):

Day 1: Shift A — 07:00–19:00 (12 hours)

Day 2: Shift A — 07:00–19:00 (12 hours)

Day 3: Shift A — 07:00–19:00 (12 hours) or Shift B if rotating nights or split teams, depending on your workplace, Day 4: Shift A — 07:00–19:00 (12 hours), Day 5–8: OFF — no shifts recorded, then repeat from Day 9 as Day 1, etc.

How to import this template into PayCheck AI

1) Create a new custom day-based rotation in PayCheck AI: choose 'custom day-based rotation' and input the 8-day pattern above, marking days 1–4 as your shift(s) and days 5–8 as off. (If you prefer another shift length, adjust the start and end times now.)

2) Apply the rotation to the calendar month(s) you want. PayCheck AI will repeat the 8-day block across the selected dates.

3) If you’re on a free Pro trial or paid Pro subscription, configure overtime and allowances before estimating pay: set daily and weekly overtime thresholds, night-window allowances and weekend allowances as flat, per-hour or percentage amounts.

4) Export or sync: use CSV or ICS export to keep a local copy, or create a private read-only calendar subscription for Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook so the roster appears in your personal calendar. The subscription refreshes from PayCheck AI but is not two-way editable.

Team setup: sharing and managing a 4 on 4 off rota

If you manage a team, create a team in PayCheck AI and publish the rotation. Team members see visible profile names; the owner’s published shifts automatically sync into members’ personal main calendars as read-only team-managed copies. Members can request open shifts or request takeover of an assigned shift; planners can approve or reject requests.

Team members can record vacation, time off in lieu and sick days; planners see personal shift calendars and absences to manage coverage. Personal pay settings and private notes remain private.

Worked examples: how overtime thresholds, night windows and weekend allowances change estimated gross pay

Below are three hypothetical examples using the same 4 on 4 off rotation. All pay numbers are examples you should treat as hypothetical and adjust to your actual rates. PayCheck AI can estimate gross pay once you enter shifts and pay rules; these examples show how to model typical variants.

Example assumptions used in all scenarios: base hourly rate = $20/hour; shift = 12 hours; on-shift days per 8-day cycle = 4; average month ≈ 30 days (about 3.75 cycles).

Example A — No daily overtime, weekly overtime after 40 hours

Rules: daily threshold = none; weekly overtime = time-and-a-half (1.5x) after 40 hours per week; no night or weekend allowance.

Calculation outline (manual example): one 'on' block = 4 days × 12 hours = 48 hours per 8-day cycle. Over a typical 7-day week that overlaps cycles, you’ll often exceed 40 hours in a calendar week. If a given calendar week contains 40 regular hours then remaining hours are overtime at 1.5x: e.g., 44 worked hours → 4 hours at 1.5x.

How to model in PayCheck AI: set weekly overtime threshold = 40 and multiplier = 1.5. PayCheck AI will estimate gross pay for the selected month, showing regular vs overtime hours.

Example B — Daily overtime after 8 hours and weekend allowance

Rules: daily overtime after 8 hours at 1.25x for hours 9–12; weekend allowance = $10 per hour extra for any hours on Saturday or Sunday.

Calculation outline: each 12-hour day has 8 regular hours + 4 daily overtime hours at 1.25x. If an 'on' day falls on a weekend, add $10 per hour on top of the base or overtime rate for those hours. The exact total depends on how many 'on' days fall on weekend dates in the month.

How to model in PayCheck AI: enable daily overtime threshold = 8 with multiplier 1.25, then set weekend allowance as per-hour +$10. PayCheck AI will include these rules when estimating gross pay for the month.

Practical checklist

• Decide your shift start/end times and which days in the 8-day block are on vs off.
• Create a custom day-based rotation in PayCheck AI with the 8-day template.
• If using Pro features, set daily/weekly overtime thresholds, night-window, weekend and public-holiday allowances before estimating pay.
• Apply the rotation to the target month(s) and review the calendar for date alignment.
• Export CSV or ICS if you need a local copy, or create a private read-only calendar subscription (Google/Apple/Outlook) to sync shifts into your main calendar.
• If running a team, publish the rota from a team owner account so members receive read-only team-managed copies and can request/accept shifts.

Frequently asked questions

Can PayCheck AI automatically assign workers to open shifts in a 4 on 4 off rota?

No. PayCheck AI supports publishing and assigning team shifts, and team members can request open shifts or request takeover of assigned shifts, but it does not automatically assign workers.

Will PayCheck AI calculate taxes or guarantee payroll accuracy for my estimated gross pay?

No. PayCheck AI estimates gross pay based on the shifts and pay rules you enter, but it does not calculate taxes or guarantee legal or payroll accuracy. Always verify with your payroll department or accountant.

How can I handle night pay for a 4 on 4 off schedule?

If your workplace uses a night-window allowance, configure the night-window allowance in PayCheck AI during an active free Pro trial or paid Pro subscription. You can set it as a flat amount, per-hour amount or percentage; the estimate will include it when you run gross pay calculations.

Can team members see planners’ private pay settings or medical notes?

No. Personal pay settings, private shift notes and medical details are not shared through the team calendar. Team views show published shifts and visible profile names only.

How do public holidays affect the 4 on 4 off rota pay?

PayCheck AI lets you add a public-holiday allowance as a flat amount, per-hour amount or percentage (available on a Pro trial or paid Pro subscription). Rules and entitlement for public holidays vary by country and agreements, so enter the correct allowance your workplace uses before estimating pay.