Learn/Follow-the-Sun
ON-CALL MANAGEMENT

Follow-the-Sun Rotation

A global on-call scheduling model where shifts are assigned to teams in active time zones to avoid night shifts.

Follow-the-Sun

A global on-call scheduling model where shifts are assigned to teams in active time zones to avoid night shifts.

## No More Night Shifts By having teams in, for example, London, New York, and Sydney, you can ensure someone is always working during the day. * **London**: Handles 09:00 - 17:00 UTC. * **New York**: Handles 17:00 - 01:00 UTC. * **Sydney**: Handles 01:00 - 09:00 UTC.

ExGlobal Platform Implementation

"Series C company with teams in SF, London, and Singapore. Implemented follow-the-sun model. Required 3 engineers per shift (9 total). Result: 0% night shifts, 40% improvement in responder satisfaction, faster resolution due to awake responders."

Impact
Eliminated night shift work entirely, 24-hour coverage
Resolution
Invested in overlap time for cross-region knowledge sharing

Why Follow-the-Sun Matters

Eliminates the "3 AM wake-up call," drastically reducing burnout.

Responders are awake, alert, and working during their normal day.

Common Pitfalls

Insufficient overlap between shifts
Schedule overlap time for handoffs and knowledge transfer. Without overlap, follow-the-sun creates silos and dropped incidents.
Assuming all time zones are equal
Some regions have harder hiring, different holidays, different costs. Factor these in when planning follow-the-sun coverage.

Related Terms

On-Call ScheduleOn-Call Burnout

Frequently Asked Questions

What team size is needed for follow-the-sun on-call?
Minimum 3 teams in different time zones (8-hour separation). Each team needs 3-5 engineers to sustain rotation. Total: 9-15 engineers minimum.
Does follow-the-sun work for small teams?
Not really. Follow-the-sun requires significant team size (15+ engineers). Small teams are better off with fair rotations and good compensation.
How do you handle knowledge transfer in follow-the-sun?
Schedule 1-2 hours of overlap between shifts. Use comprehensive documentation, runbooks, and regular cross-region training. Shared Slack channels for context.

Learn More

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