What does 3/3/3/6 mean here?
In FIFO Tools this preset means 3 weeks ON, 3 weeks OFF, 3 weeks ON and 6 weeks OFF, in that order. In days, the sequence is 21 ON → 21 OFF → 21 ON → 42 OFF. Its complete cycle is 105 days, or 15 weeks. The preset is a schedule description; it does not certify that a roster meets any employment agreement or legal requirement.
A complete cycle starting 1 October 2026
For this example, 1 October is the first day of block 1, the first three-week ON swing.
| Block | Duration | Dates, inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · ON | 21 days | 1–21 October 2026 |
| 2 · OFF | 21 days | 22 October–11 November 2026 |
| 3 · ON | 21 days | 12 November–2 December 2026 |
| 4 · OFF | 42 days | 3 December 2026–13 January 2027 |
The next block 1 starts 14 January 2027. New Year does not restart the cycle.
Why the exact OFF block matters
Suppose your known date is 1 October 2026 and it starts a six-week break. Choose block 4: OFF for 42 days. Your break then runs through 11 November, and the next ON swing begins 12 November. Selecting block 2 would create a three-week break ending 21 October, followed by ON on 22 October.
The two ON blocks also occupy different positions. Even though each lasts 21 days, one is followed by a three-week break and the other by a six-week break. Match the position shown on your actual roster.
Enter an unequal or custom pattern
For a simple pattern such as 14 ON /7 OFF, choose custom on/off and enter durations in days. For a longer sequence, choose multi-block rota, enter each block in order and select which block begins on your anchor date. Convert weeks to days before entering a custom pattern: three weeks is 21 days, not 3 days.
Check one full cycle against the employer’s schedule before sharing or exporting. The tool repeats the entire sequence as entered; it does not choose a more convenient order or move breaks around public holidays.