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Requesting a shift swap or offering a shift

How can I exchange a shift. How do I trade a shift

Rota & Time Clock allows employees to either:

  • Swap a shift with a colleague

  • Offer a shift for another colleague to take

All requests must be accepted by the colleague involved and approved by a manager before any changes are made to the rota.

It is possible to ask your colleagues for a shift trade with the mobile app and on our website.


Before you submit a request

1. Shift swaps and offers must be enabled

Your organisation must have this feature switched on before you can submit a request. If you don't see the option to swap or offer shifts, contact your manager.

2. You can only swap or offer shifts to eligible colleagues

Shift swaps and offers are only available between employees who share the same position and location. For example, a waiter cannot swap shifts with a chef.

This means shifts are only covered by appropriately qualified employees.

3. Some shifts may not be available

Occasionally, a shift may appear as an option but still be unavailable for a swap or offer due to scheduling restrictions.

If you receive a message that a shift is unavailable, simply select a different shift or colleague.

4. Colleagues can decline your request

Submitting a request does not automatically change the rota. The colleague you're requesting must first accept the swap or offer.

5. Manager approval is still required

Even if a colleague accepts the request, the change will not take effect until it has been approved by a manager.


If nobody accepts your shift offer

If no one volunteers to take your shift:

  1. Cancel your existing shift offer request

  2. Submit a leave request if you're unable to work

  3. Your manager can then decide whether to convert the shift into an open shift that other employees can claim

This helps managers keep shifts covered while giving other employees the opportunity to pick up additional hours.


How to submit a request

You can submit shift swaps and shift offers using either:

  • The Rota & Time Clock mobile app

  • Timetastic's Rota & Time Clock website

Please see our help guides for step-by-step instructions:

  • Request a shift swap or offer a shift in the mobile app

  • Request a shift swap or offer a shift on the web platform

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