An open shift is one you've created without a carer assigned. It sits in the amber Open shifts lane at the top of the week grid until someone fills it — useful when you know cover is needed but haven't settled who's working.
Creating an open shift
Open shifts are made just like any other shift — simply leave Assigned to as Open shift (unassigned) in the Add shift window. The card appears amber in the Open shifts lane rather than on a carer's row.
How staff claim it
Once the week is published, eligible staff see the open shift on their own rota with a Claim button. The first eligible carer to claim it takes it, and it moves onto their row. Carers who aren't qualified for that person — or who'd clash with another shift — can't claim it.
Turning an open shift into an assigned one
You don't have to wait for someone to claim it. As a manager you can assign an open shift yourself in two ways:
Drag the amber card from the Open shifts lane onto the carer's row.
Click the card, choose a carer under Assigned to, and save.
Either way the usual checks apply — the carer must be eligible and free of clashes, or the assignment is blocked.
- 1Open the area's **Rota** tab in **Week** view.
- 2Hover over a day in the **Open shifts** lane at the top of the grid and click the **+**.
- 3Leave **Assigned to** set to **Open shift (unassigned)**.
- 4Set the **Date**, **Start**, **End** and any **Break (m)** or **Note**, then click **Add shift**.
- 5**Publish** the week so eligible staff can see and claim the open shift.
- Open shifts are a quick way to advertise cover to a whole team rather than chasing individuals.
- Only eligible carers can claim an open shift, so required competencies and the excluded list are respected automatically.