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How to Broadcast an Open Shift (Manager Workflow)

Broadcasting an Open Shift (Manager)

An Open Shift is a vacancy you broadcast to eligible staff so they can claim it. Use it for last-minute gaps, optional overtime / pickup, and pre-planned cover (e.g. public holiday).

When to use it

  • Last-minute gaps that IRIS / manual fill couldn't cover (typical: short-notice sick call)
  • Optional overtime / pickup — when you have budget for extra hours and want willing volunteers
  • Public holiday cover — broadcast a few weeks in advance

Step-by-step — broadcast from the Living Roster

The recommended flow:

  1. Open the Living Roster on the empty cell.
  2. Right-clickBroadcast as Open Shift.
  3. The Open Shift Request Modal opens:
    • Eligible audience — auto-filtered to staff with the right Craft Group and scopes; tick / untick individuals
    • Expiry — when the broadcast closes (default: 24 h)
    • Auto-approve first eligible claim — yes/no (default: no, so you confirm)
    • Optional message — context for the staff (e.g. "Last minute — sick cover")
  4. Click Broadcast.

Eligible staff see it in their Shift Deck → Requests and get an in-app notification (+ email if they have it enabled).

Cancelling a broadcast

  • Open the Roster cell that has the 📣 broadcast icon.
  • Click Cancel broadcast.
  • All pending claims are notified that the broadcast was withdrawn.

Tips & common mistakes

  • Don't auto-approve unless you trust the eligibility filter. Some scope-sensitive shifts need a human eye.
  • Set short expiries for last-minute shifts so the broadcast doesn't drift past the shift start.
  • Untick anyone you don't want to offer it to, even if they're technically eligible (e.g. someone who's already at max hours).
  • Add a message. "Last minute — sick cover, $50 incentive" gets more uptake than a silent broadcast.

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