Crossword Genius

Diary without even moves to work periods (3-6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

day-shifts

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'periods' is the definition.
(day shift is a kind of period)

'diary without even moves to work' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'moves' could be 'shifts' (shift is a kind of move) and 'shifts' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'day' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app