Scheduling

Creating shifts in the schedule

In the schedule you create shifts directly by clicking an empty cell in the week or month view. Shiftdesk guides you through the dialog step by step.

Copying a schedule week

If your schedule is similar from week to week, you save a lot of time by copying a whole week and only adjusting the exceptions afterwards.

Exporting the schedule as a PDF

You can export any schedule as a PDF to print it out, post it in the break room or distribute it by email.

Using and managing shift templates

Shift templates are reusable patterns for typical shifts such as **early**, **late** or **night**. They speed up planning and ensure consistent times.

Recurring shifts (series)

When an employee regularly works the same shift, you create a series. Shiftdesk then generates the individual shifts automatically for the chosen period.

Publishing shifts (draft -> published)

Every new shift in Shiftdesk initially has the status **Draft**. Only when it is published does it become visible and binding for employees.

Minimum staffing per shift

With minimum staffing you set how many employees should cover a shift or a period at a minimum. Shiftdesk warns you when the requirement is not met.

Understanding ArbZG warnings in the schedule

Shiftdesk automatically checks every shift against the German Working Hours Act (ArbZG) as well as analogous rules in Austria and Switzerland. These checks are plausibility indications and do not replace the employer's own assessment. Potential violations appear directly in the schedule as a colored badge on the shift.

Posting and filling open shifts

If you don't assign a shift directly to an employee, you can post it as an **open shift**. Employees can apply for it, and you then decide on the assignment.

Shift swap between employees

Shiftdesk lets employees swap an assigned shift with a colleague. Managers retain control over the final approval.