Overview
Shift coverage provides flexible scheduling options to increase employee accountability for their schedule and help ensure all of the shifts you need covered are filled. The shift coverage options include:
- Overlapping OpenShift pick-up – users can pick-up available OpenShifts that overlap their assigned shifts
- Shift release – reassigns a user’s shift to an OpenShift
- Shift drop – gives the user’s shift to an eligible coworker
- Shift swap – trades the user’s shift with an eligible coworker
Users can release, swap and drop shifts from a computer, an iOS device or Android device.
Considerations
- When a swap or drop request is initiated, the shift is still the responsibility of the assigned user until it is picked up by a coworker.
- You have the option to offer swaps and drops to all eligible users or select specific eligible users. This may cause discrepancies between the swaps and drops offered to different users.
Configuration
Each method of shift coverage can be enabled or disabled to help you create the best scheduling experience for your workplace. Shift coverage is enabled and configured in Scheduling Settings.
- Hover over , then select Scheduling Settings.
- Switch on the toggle for Shift Coverage.
- Check the boxes to enable coverage options.
a Allow overlapping OpenShift pick-up Lets users see available OpenShifts that overlap their assigned shifts if they can cover enough of the shift. Overlapping hours in the taken shift are removed from the schedule.
You can enter the % of the OpenShift a user must be able to work. By default this is set to 75%. Whole number increments are accepted.
b Allow releasing Lets users reassign their shift to an OpenShift.
You can enter a number for the amount of time to allow users to release their shift before the shift start time. Whole number increments are accepted.
c Allow dropping Lets users drop their shift for other eligible coworkers to pick up.
You can enter a number for the amount of time to allow users to drop their shift before the shift start time. Whole number increments are accepted.
d Allow swapping Lets users swap their shift with other eligible coworkers.
You can enter a number for the amount of time to allow users to swap their shift before the shift start time. Whole number increments are accepted.
e Require manager review for swaps and drops Require approval from managers before a swap or drop can be initiated by a user. f Minimum shift length to split Determines whether users can split shifts. - To prevent users from splitting shifts, select Splitting Disabled.
- To allow users to split shifts, select the minimum duration for shifts created by a split.
Callout Name Description a Allow overlapping OpenShift pick-up Lets users see available OpenShifts that overlap their assigned shifts if they can cover enough of the shift. Overlapping hours in the taken shift are removed from the schedule.
You can enter the % of the OpenShift a user must be able to work. By default this is set to 75%. Whole number increments are accepted.
b Allow releasing Lets users reassign their shift to an OpenShift.
You can enter a number for the amount of time to allow users to release their shift before the shift start time. Whole number increments are accepted.
c Allow dropping Lets users drop their shift for other eligible coworkers to pick up.
You can enter a number for the amount of time to allow users to drop their shift before the shift start time. Whole number increments are accepted.
d Allow swapping Lets users swap their shift with other eligible coworkers.
You can enter a number for the amount of time to allow users to swap their shift before the shift start time. Whole number increments are accepted.
e Require manager review for swaps and drops Require approval from managers before a swap or drop can be initiated by a user. f Minimum shift length to split Determines whether users can split shifts. - To prevent users from splitting shifts, select Splitting Disabled.
- To allow users to split shifts, select the minimum duration for shifts created by a split.
- Click Save in the top-right corner when finished.
Time restrictions for shift coverage
Empower employees to release, swap, or drop shifts, but place time restrictions on when the shifts can be changed to give you the confidence you’ll have the coverage you need each day.
Each shift coverage action can be enhanced with time restrictions. Use time restrictions to help eliminate last minute shift releases or shift drops.
Coverage Option | Allow Releasing |
Default Setting (hours) | 0 |
Minimum Setting (hours) | 0 |
Maximum Setting (hours) | 168 |
Coverage Option | Allow Dropping |
Default Setting (hours) | 0 |
Minimum Setting (hours) | 0 |
Maximum Setting (hours) | 48 |
Coverage Option | Allow Swapping |
Default Setting (hours) | 0 |
Minimum Setting (hours) | 0 |
Maximum Setting (hours) | 48 |
Coverage Option | Default Setting (hours) | Minimum Setting (hours) | Maximum Setting (hours) |
Allow Releasing | 0 | 0 | 168 |
Allow Dropping | 0 | 0 | 48 |
Allow Swapping | 0 | 0 | 48 |