Security guard schedule template: 24/7 posts covered with 12-hour shifts
A post that is staffed around the clock needs 168 hours of cover every week. With 40-hour guards that is 4.2 people for one post, before vacations and sick days. Here is a 24/7 post scheduled with 12-hour shifts and checked for gaps.
What matters for security guard companies
Do the post math first
168 hours a week ÷ 40 hours per guard = 4.2 full-time guards per 24/7 post. With 12-hour shifts, 14 shifts a week have to be filled; anything short leaves a gap or pushes someone into overtime.
No gaps at handover
Coverage by hour shows any hour with nobody on post. A one-person post should show exactly 1 for every hour of the week.
Night to day turnarounds
A guard finishing at 7 am should not be back at 7 pm the same day after a day shift elsewhere. Set your minimum rest and let the schedule flag short turnarounds.
Worked example
One gate post staffed 24/7 with 12-hour day and night shifts, meals taken on post (no unpaid break), minimum rest 11 hours, overtime after 40 hours at 1.5×. Week of 5 - 11 Oct 2026.
| Staff | Mon 5 Oct | Tue 6 Oct | Wed 7 Oct | Thu 8 Oct | Fri 9 Oct | Sat 10 Oct | Sun 11 Oct | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guard A | 7:00-19:00 Gate post | 7:00-19:00 Gate post | 7:00-19:00 Gate post | 7:00-19:00 Gate post | 48 h | $1,008.00 | |||
| Guard B | 7:00-19:00 Gate post | 7:00-19:00 Gate post | 7:00-19:00 Gate post | 36 h | $756.00 | ||||
| Guard C | 19:00-7:00 Gate post | 19:00-7:00 Gate post | 19:00-7:00 Gate post | 19:00-7:00 Gate post | 48 h | $1,008.00 | |||
| Guard D | 19:00-7:00 Gate post | 19:00-7:00 Gate post | 19:00-7:00 Gate post | 36 h | $756.00 | ||||
| Total | 24 h | 24 h | 24 h | 24 h | 24 h | 24 h | 24 h | 168 h | $3,528.00 |
No warnings: no overlaps, no rest under the minimum, nobody over their weekly maximum.
Coverage by hour
Every hour of the week has at least one person scheduled. Hours with only one person on: Mon all day, Tue all day, Wed all day, Thu all day, Fri all day, Sat all day, Sun all day.
How to set it up in Rotasprig
- Add each guard with rate and weekly maximum.
- Create two templates: Day 7:00–19:00 and Night 19:00–7:00 (overnight shifts are supported).
- Use the station field for the post or site.
- Check coverage by hour and the warnings before you publish.
Limits
- Rotasprig does not track guard licences or site certifications.
- Coverage counts people per hour; it does not know how many guards a post requires, so read it against your contract.
FAQ
How many guards do I need for a 24/7 post?
168 hours ÷ 40 = 4.2 full-time guards, plus cover for time off. Four guards on 12-hour shifts means some weeks of 48 hours and overtime.
Can I schedule a 7 pm to 7 am shift?
Yes. Overnight shifts are supported and count their hours on the start day.
Can I print the post schedule?
Yes: landscape Letter or A4, or a PNG for the team chat.