Taking into account the numerous theoretically possible shift systems, we chose sensible shift systems with the aid of objective work-physiological criteria, e.g. the duration of the daily working time, the positioning and duration of sleep and recreation time. With an agreed 40-hour-week shift systems with a weekly working time of 42 hours are more advantageous. If the shifts are equally attended over 24 hours the following shift systems are recommended: when you have 8-hour-shifts the relation between the number of working days and the number of free days should be “3 n/n”, whereby n must be larger than 1, within one shift rota. In the exceptional case of a twelve-hour-shift the corresponding relation should be “2n/2n”. Furthermore unsuitable and recommendable shift plan examples are demonstrated for these shift systems.