First shift is a work shift that usually takes place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. . It is also known as the day, morning, or early shift. First shift positions typically work during regular business hours, and employees who work first shift hours start work at or after 7:00 a.m. and leave at or before 5:00 p.m. . The exact hours may vary depending on the employer and the industry, but the first shift most closely resembles a traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work schedule.

In general, shift work is typically divided into three sections, and the first shift is one of them. The other two are the second shift and the third shift, also known as the swing shift and the night shift, respectively. The second shift usually starts where the first shift leaves off, or there might be some overlap, and it typically ranges from around 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. . The third shift runs from evening to early morning, and it is also called the night shift.

Shift work is common in industries that require around-the-clock production, and some jobs have only one standard work shift while others have shifts that cover up to 24 hours of operation.