Rostering: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in British English, this term often refers to assigning employees to shifts or duties on a recurring basis.

• The manager is responsible for rostering the staff for the holiday season.
• Rostering can be quite complex in large organizations.

This is a more general term that can refer to planning and arranging any type of activities, not just work shifts. It is widely understood in both British and American English.

• Scheduling meetings across different time zones can be challenging.
• They are currently scheduling the deliveries for next week.

This term is specifically used when organizing work shifts for employees, ensuring that there is adequate coverage. It is practical for contexts like healthcare, customer service, or manufacturing.

• Shift planning is crucial in hospitals to maintain patient care.
• Effective shift planning helps to avoid burnout among employees.

This refers to the broader process of assigning tasks or responsibilities to individuals or teams. It is not limited to shift work and applies to various types of job assignments.

• The project manager handled the work allocation for the new project.
• Clear work allocation can improve team efficiency and performance.