A split shift is a shift that’s made up of two or more separate periods during the same working day, usually with a gap of at least two hours between them.
When working a split shift, an employee might start work at 10am, work until 2pm, then start work again at 6pm and work until 10pm.
Split shifts are most commonly used in businesses and industries where there are distinct busy periods during the day punctuated by quieter periods where fewer staff are needed, for example restaurants with lunch and evening slots.