Picking Up Available Shifts

Learn how to browse, claim, and pick up available shifts in the Shifts Marketplace to earn extra hours, help your colleagues, and support your team’s coverage needs.

Overview

The Shift Marketplace allows you to pick up additional shifts that colleagues have posted or that managers have made available. This feature helps you find opportunities for extra hours while supporting your team’s coverage needs. This article explains how to find available shifts, check your eligibility, and claim shifts that match your availability.

Benefits of Picking Up Shifts

Claiming shifts from the marketplace offers several advantages:

• Earn additional hours and income
• Help colleagues who need coverage
• Demonstrate flexibility and team support
• Gain experience in different roles or locations (when eligible)
• Build goodwill with team members and managers
• Potentially earn priority for future scheduling

Accessing the Shift Marketplace

To browse available shifts:

1. Log in to your Shifts account
2. Click on Marketplace in the main navigation menu
3. The marketplace opens to the default Available Shifts tab
4. Browse the list of shifts available for you to claim

Understanding Shift Listings

Each shift listing includes important information:

• Date & Time: When the shift is scheduled
• Location: Where the shift will take place
• Duration: How long the shift will last
• Role: The role requirements for the shift
• Posted By: The colleague who posted the shift (or “Manager” for open shifts)
• Notes: Any additional information provided by the person posting the shift

This information helps you determine if the shift is right for you before claiming it.

Checking Your Eligibility

The marketplace only shows shifts that you are potentially eligible to claim, but you should still verify:

1. Schedule Conflicts: Ensure the shift doesn’t overlap with your existing schedule
2. Availability: Confirm the shift falls within your stated availability
3. Rest Requirements: Check that claiming this shift won’t violate your required rest periods
4. Role Match: Verify you have the necessary qualifications for the role
5. Location: Ensure you can work at the specified location

If any of these conditions aren’t met, you may be prevented from claiming the shift.

Claiming a Shift

To claim an available shift:

1. Find a shift you’d like to claim in the Available Shifts tab
2. Click the View Details button to see complete information
3. Review all shift details including any notes or special requirements
4. If you want to claim it, click the Claim Shift button
5. Confirm your decision when prompted

Once claimed, the shift will be immediately assigned to you and will appear in your schedule.

Applying for a Shift

Some shifts may require an application rather than direct claiming:

1. Find a shift marked “Apply” rather than “Claim”
2. Click the Apply button
3. Add any notes about why you’re a good fit for this shift
4. Submit your application
5. Wait for the response from the shift poster or manager

The shift poster or manager will review all applications and select the preferred candidate.

After Claiming a Shift

Once you’ve successfully claimed a shift:

1. The shift will immediately appear in your schedule
2. You’ll receive a notification confirming the successful claim
3. The colleague who posted the shift will be notified that you’ve claimed it
4. The shift listing will be removed from the marketplace
5. Your total scheduled hours will be updated to reflect the additional shift

Viewing Your Claimed Shifts

To see shifts you’ve claimed from the marketplace:

1. Navigate to the Marketplace section
2. Click on the Claimed Shifts tab
3. This tab shows all shifts you’ve claimed, including:
   • Shift details (date, time, location)
   • Original poster
   • Date claimed
   • Upcoming or completed status

This helps you keep track of extra shifts you’ve picked up.

Cancellation Policy

Be aware of these important policies regarding cancellations:

1. You cannot return a claimed shift through the marketplace
2. If you can no longer work a claimed shift, you must either:
   • Post it back to the marketplace for someone else to claim
   • Contact your manager for assistance
3. Repeatedly claiming and then posting shifts may affect your ability to claim future shifts
4. Some businesses may implement additional policies regarding marketplace reliability

Rules and Limitations

When picking up shifts, be aware of these limitations:

1. Eligibility Requirements:
   • You must have the same role as the shift requires
   • You must be assigned to the location where the shift takes place
   • You cannot claim shifts that overlap with your existing schedule
   • You must meet any specific skill requirements for the shift
2. System Limitations:
   • Once you claim a shift, the transaction cannot be reversed through the system
   • You cannot claim your own posted shifts
   • You may be limited in how many extra shifts you can claim per week
   • Some shifts may have application deadlines

Manager-Posted Shifts

In addition to colleague-posted shifts, managers may post open shifts directly to the marketplace:

1. These shifts appear with “Manager” as the poster
2. They typically represent unfilled schedule gaps
3. They may have specific requirements or notes
4. The claiming process is the same as for colleague-posted shifts
5. Manager approval may be required for these shifts

Best Practices

For optimal results when picking up available shifts:

1. Check Regularly: Browse the marketplace frequently as shifts are claimed quickly
2. Consider Fit: Only claim shifts you’re confident you can work
3. Note Details: Read all shift notes before claiming
4. Be Reliable: Honor all shifts you claim to maintain a good reputation
5. Plan Ahead: Consider rest periods and your energy levels when claiming additional shifts
6. Balance Hours: Be mindful of overtime thresholds and your overall workload
7. Communicate: If circumstances change after claiming a shift, notify your manager immediately

Related Resources

• Shift Trade Rules
• Posting Shifts
• Availability Conflicts

This article should be updated when:

1. The marketplace interface changes
2. The process for claiming shifts is modified
3. New eligibility rules or restrictions are implemented
4. Shift application features are enhanced
5. The system’s handling of conflicts or cancellations changes