Which one do I use?
Several things change who works when. They're easy to mix up:
| You want to… | Use | Who starts it | Needs approval? | What the roster shows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Say you're never free on Tuesdays, or away a few days, before you're rostered | When you can't work (My shifts) | You, or a manager for you | No; it's information for the roster | Unavailable tag, and a warning if you're given a shift then |
| Take time off (holiday, sick day, appointment) | Ask for leave (My shifts → Leave) | You, or Record leave by a manager | Yes, like timesheets (the Owner's own is automatic) | Leave? then On leave; no reminders or no-show reports while away |
| Get someone else to work a shift you've already been given | Can't make it? → Ask for cover | You | The colleague says yes, then a manager approves (if your workplace requires it) | The shift moves to them once approved |
| Trade one of your shifts for one of a colleague's | Can't make it? → Swap | You | Same as cover | Both shifts change hands once approved |
| Offer a shift to whoever wants it | Open shift (managers, when adding a shift) | A manager | The manager chooses who gets it | Open shifts row until someone is given it |
| Pick up an extra shift | I'll take it on an open shift (My shifts) | You | The manager gives it to someone | Your row, once given |
Example: Maya can never work Tuesday mornings because of uni, so she adds When you can't work, every Tuesday. Separately, she wants 3–7 March off for a wedding, so she asks for annual leave. And when she's sick on a rostered Saturday, she asks Leo to cover.