Shift Trade Rules

Learn about the rules governing shift trades, how to list and claim shifts in the marketplace, and what eligibility requirements apply when trading shifts with colleagues.

Overview

The Shift Marketplace in the Shifts platform allows you to trade assigned shifts with eligible colleagues, providing flexibility for when you can’t work a scheduled shift. This article explains the rules that govern shift trading, eligibility requirements, how the marketplace works, and best practices for successful shift trading.

Understanding Shift Trading Basics

Shift trading follows a simple listing and claiming process:

1. An employee lists a shift they can’t work in the marketplace
2. Other eligible employees browse available shifts
3. Interested employees apply to claim the shift
4. The listing employee selects which application to accept
5. The system transfers the shift assignment to the new employee

All shift trades must follow specific rules to ensure proper coverage and compliance with business policies.

Accessing the Shift Marketplace

To access the shift marketplace:

1. Log in to your Shifts account
2. Click on Marketplace in the main navigation menu
3. The marketplace displays:
   • Shifts available for you to claim
   • Your own listed shifts
   • Your submitted applications

Listing a Shift for Trade

To offer one of your shifts for trade:

1. Navigate to Marketplace > List a Shift
2. Select the shift you want to trade from your assigned shifts
3. Add optional details:
   • Notes about the shift
   • Reason for trading
   • Any additional information
4. Click Create Listing to publish in the marketplace

Your shift will now be visible to eligible colleagues.

Eligibility Rules for Listing Shifts

For a shift to be eligible for listing:

• The shift must be assigned to you
• The shift must be in the future (not current or past)
• You can only list a shift once (no duplicate listings)
• The shift must not have been previously claimed and then returned
• Your organization must allow shift trading for your role/location

Browsing Available Shifts

To find shifts you can claim:

1. Go to the Marketplace > Available Shifts tab
2. Use filters to narrow your search:
   • Date range
   • Location
   • Shift type
   • Department
3. Click on any shift to view complete details
4. Only shifts you’re eligible to claim will appear in your view

Applying for a Shift

When you find a shift you want to claim:

1. Click on the shift to view details
2. Review all information about the shift:
   • Date and time
   • Location
   • Role requirements
   • Any notes from the person listing it
3. Click Apply to express interest
4. Add an optional note to the person listing the shift
5. Submit your application

Application Status Tracking

After applying, your application will have one of these statuses:

• Pending: Awaiting decision from the person who listed the shift
• Accepted: Your application was approved and the shift is now yours
• Rejected: Another application was chosen or the listing was cancelled
• Withdrawn: You cancelled your application before it was accepted

You can view the status of all your applications in the My Applications tab.

Eligibility Rules for Claiming Shifts

For you to be eligible to claim a shift:

• You must be assigned to the same location as the shift
• You must have the necessary qualifications for the shift (role, skills)
• You must not already be scheduled for another shift at the same time
• You cannot claim your own listed shifts
• You must meet any specific requirements set by your organization
• The shift must still be open (not filled, closed, or cancelled)

Managing Your Listed Shifts

To manage shifts you’ve listed:

1. Go to Marketplace > My Listings
2. View all your active listings and their current status
3. For each listing, you can:
   • View received applications
   • Accept an application
   • Close the listing (remove it from the marketplace)
   • Cancel the listing if it’s already been claimed

Accepting Applications

When you receive applications for your listed shift:

1. Go to My Listings and select the shift
2. Review all applications received
3. Click Accept on the application you want to approve
4. Confirm your decision

When you accept an application:

• The shift is reassigned to the applicant automatically
• All other applications are automatically rejected
• The listing is marked as filled
• Both you and the applicant receive notifications

Cancelling a Listing

If you change your mind about trading a shift:

1. Navigate to My Listings
2. Find the shift listing you want to cancel
3. Click Cancel Listing
4. Confirm your decision

Note: You can only cancel listings that haven’t been claimed yet.

Shift Status After Trading

When a shift is successfully traded:

• Your schedule is updated to remove the shift
• The claim recipient’s schedule is updated to include the shift
• All shift requirements and details remain the same
• The system maintains proper coverage tracking
• Attendance tracking transfers to the new assignee

Manager Oversight

Managers maintain visibility and control over shift trading:

• Managers can view all marketplace activity in their locations
• Trading activity is tracked for compliance and audit purposes
• Managers may need to approve trades in some organizations
• The system prevents trades that would violate staffing requirements

Rules for Specific Situations

Trading During Time Off

• You cannot claim shifts during approved time off periods
• The system automatically prevents these conflicts

Skill Requirements

• You can only claim shifts for which you have the required skills
• The system filters available shifts based on your qualifications

Last-Minute Trades

• Organizations may set deadlines for how close to a shift it can be traded
• Last-minute trades may require manager approval

Best Practices

For optimal results when trading shifts:

1. Plan Ahead: List shifts as early as possible to maximize chances of finding a replacement
2. Provide Context: Add helpful notes when listing a shift
3. Be Responsive: Check and respond to applications promptly
4. Communicate: Follow up with the person who took your shift if needed
5. Check Eligibility: Make sure you meet requirements before applying for shifts
6. Verify Details: Double-check shift information before claiming
7. Honor Commitments: Once you claim a shift, it’s your responsibility

Related Resources

• Marketplace Overview
• Attendance Records
• Your Schedule
• Shift Requirements

This article should be updated when:

1. New eligibility rules are added
2. Changes to the application and approval workflow
3. New marketplace filtering or search features
4. Updates to how shift trades affect scheduling
5. Changes to the manager approval process
6. New UI elements in the marketplace interface