What does the term "swing shift" refer to?

The term "swing shift" specifically refers to a work schedule that involves transitioning between day and night shifts, creating a rotation that can affect employees' circadian rhythms and work-life balance. This type of shift is designed to cover periods of time that may not fall strictly within the traditional boundaries of either daytime work or nighttime work. Workers on a swing shift may work during the afternoon and into the evening or night hours, often moving between these shifts, thus requiring adaptability from the employee.

In contrast, the other options describe scenarios that do not accurately capture the essence of what a swing shift entails. For instance, a schedule requiring extra training does not inherently relate to the specific hours or transitions of a swing shift. Additionally, not all shifts classified as swing shifts are necessarily longer than regular hours, nor do they consist solely of morning hours. Thus, the definition of a swing shift is best encapsulated by its nature of including alternating day and night work hours.