What Is Clopening?
“Clopening” is a term used in the retail and hospitality industries to describe a labor scheduling practice where an employee closes the business at night and then opens it the next morning. This practice often results in short rest periods between shifts and can be challenging for employees due to the quick turnaround.
Key Features of Clopening
- Quick Turnaround: Employees have limited time off between their shifts.
- Scheduling Challenge: Can be difficult to manage effectively without impacting employee well-being.
- Potential for Fatigue: Increases the risk of fatigue and decreased performance among employees.
- Legal Restrictions: Some regions have regulations in place to prevent clopening practices due to concerns about worker health and safety.
How Does Clopening Work?
- Scheduling: An employee is scheduled to work a late shift and then return to start an early shift the following day.
- Work Completion: The employee completes the closing duties and leaves, returning a few hours later to prepare for opening.
- Impact Assessment: The effect on employee health and performance is monitored, though often not adequately.
Best Practices for Managing Clopening
- Avoid Regular Use: Use clopening only when absolutely necessary and avoid making it a regular part of the schedule.
- Employee Consultation: Discuss schedules with employees and consider their feedback and health when planning.
- Provide Rest: Ensure employees have adequate rest periods between shifts to recover.
- Compliance with Laws: Adhere to any local labor laws that regulate rest periods between shifts.