Employee Scheduling System - User Guide This guide will help you manage your work schedules, set your availability, apply for leave, and claim open shifts. Whether you're an employee or a manager, this guide has everything you need to get started. Table of Contents Getting Started Understanding Your Role Visual Process Flows For Employees For Managers Understanding Schedule Status Notifications & Alerts Frequently Asked Questions Getting Started What is the Employee Scheduling System? The Employee Scheduling System helps you and your team manage work schedules efficiently. You can: ✅ View your upcoming shifts ✅ Set your availability preferences ✅ Apply for time off ✅ Claim available shifts ✅ Get notified about schedule changes ✅ Track your work hours and wages Accessing the System Log in to your account using your company credentials Navigate to the Scheduling section from the main menu You'll see different options based on your role Visual Process Flows These flowcharts show you exactly how different processes work in the system. 🕐 Employee Availability Process How it works when you set your availability: flowchart LR A([👤 Employee Sets Availability]) --> B[📝 Save as Draft] B --> C[📤 Submit for Approval] C --> D[📧 Manager Notified] D --> E{👔 Manager Reviews} E -->|✅ Approve| F[🎉 Approved] E -->|❌ Reject| G[📧 Employee Notified] F --> H[📅 Shows in Scheduling] G --> I([Employee Can Resubmit]) style A fill:#e3f2fd style F fill:#c8e6c9 style G fill:#ffcdd2 style H fill:#c8e6c9 Steps: ✅ You set your available/unavailable times ✅ Save it as a draft (you can edit) ✅ Submit for manager approval ✅ Manager gets email notification ✅ Manager approves or rejects ✅ You get notified of the decision ✅ If approved, it's used for scheduling 🌴 Leave Application Process How your leave request is processed: flowchart TD A([👤 Employee Applies for Leave]) --> B{✅ Check Leave Balance} B -->|❌ Not Enough| C[❌ Request Denied] B -->|✅ Has Balance| D{Check for Shift Conflict} D -->|❌ Shift Exists| E[❌ Cannot Apply Cancel Shift First] D -->|✅ No Conflict| F{Check Blackout Days} F -->|❌ Is Blackout| G[❌ Leave Not Allowed] F -->|✅ Available| H[✉️ Request Submitted] H --> I[⏳ Status: Pending] I --> J{👔 Manager Reviews} J -->|✅ Approve| K[🎉 Leave Approved] J -->|❌ Reject| L[❌ Leave Rejected] K --> M[📧 Confirmation Email Sent] L --> N[📧 Rejection Email Sent] style A fill:#e3f2fd style K fill:#c8e6c9 style L fill:#ffcdd2 style C fill:#ffcdd2 style E fill:#ffcdd2 style G fill:#ffcdd2 Steps: ✅ Select dates and leave type ✅ System checks your balance ✅ System checks for shift conflicts ✅ System checks blackout days ✅ Request is submitted to manager ✅ Manager approves or rejects ✅ You receive email notification 🎯 Claiming an Open Shift How to claim and get approved for an open shift: flowchart LR A([👤 Employee Sees Open Shift]) --> B{Check Your Schedule} B -->|❌ Conflict| C[Cannot Claim Overlapping Shift] B -->|✅ Available| D[👆 Click Claim Shift] D --> E[📤 Claim Request Submitted] E --> F[📧 Manager Notified] F --> G{👔 Manager Reviews} G -->|✅ Approve| H[🎉 Shift Assigned to You] G -->|❌ Reject| I[❌ Claim Rejected] H --> J[📅 Shows on Your Schedule] I --> K([Shift Remains Open]) style A fill:#e3f2fd style H fill:#c8e6c9 style J fill:#c8e6c9 style I fill:#ffcdd2 Steps: ✅ Browse available open shifts ✅ Check if it conflicts with your schedule ✅ Click "Claim This Shift" ✅ Manager gets notification ✅ Manager approves or rejects ✅ If approved, shift appears on your schedule 📋 Manager: Creating & Publishing Schedules Complete workflow from creating shifts to final approval: flowchart TD A([👔 Manager Creates Shifts]) --> B{Check for Conflicts} B -->|❌ Employee on Leave| C[⚠️ Warning Shown Cannot Assign] B -->|❌ Shift Overlap| C B -->|✅ No Issues| D[💾 Save as Draft] D --> E[📝 Draft Status Not Visible to Employees] E --> F{Ready to Publish?} F -->|No| G[Keep Editing] F -->|Yes| H[📢 Publish Schedule] H --> I[📧 Employees Notified] I --> J[👀 Employees Can View Schedule] J --> K{Final Review OK?} K -->|Need Changes| L[Make Edits] K -->|All Good| M[✅ Approve Schedule] M --> N[🔒 Schedule Locked] N --> O[📧 Approval Confirmation Sent] L --> H style A fill:#e3f2fd style D fill:#fff9c4 style H fill:#bbdefb style M fill:#c8e6c9 style N fill:#c8e6c9 Steps: ✅ Create shifts and assign employees ✅ System checks for conflicts automatically ✅ Save as draft (only you can see) ✅ Publish when ready (employees notified) ✅ Employees can view published schedules ✅ Make final edits if needed ✅ Approve to lock the schedule ✅ Everyone gets confirmation 👥 Complete Team Scheduling Flow The big picture - how everything works together: flowchart TD subgraph "📅 Week 1: Planning" A[👔 Manager Reviews Team Availability] B[👔 Checks Leave Requests] C[👔 Creates Draft Schedule] end subgraph "📅 Week 2: Publishing" D[📢 Manager Publishes Schedule] E[📧 Team Gets Notifications] F[👀 Team Views Schedule] end subgraph "📅 Week 3: Adjustments" G[👤 Employees May Claim Open Shifts] H[👔 Manager Reviews Claims] I[✅ Manager Approves Schedule] end subgraph "📅 Week 4: Execution" J[👥 Team Works Approved Shifts] K[📊 System Tracks Hours & Wages] end A --> B --> C --> D --> E --> F --> G --> H --> I --> J --> K style D fill:#bbdefb style I fill:#c8e6c9 style K fill:#c8e6c9 Understanding Your Role The system has different features depending on your role: 👤 Employee As an employee, you can: View your assigned shifts Set your weekly availability Apply for leave Claim open shifts View your work hours and forecasted wages 👔 Manager As a manager, you can do everything an employee can, plus: Create and assign shifts to your team Publish and approve schedules Review availability requests Approve or reject leave applications Create open shifts for team members to claim View team forecasts (hours, wages, staffing) 🔑 Administrator Administrators have full access to: All employees across all branches System-wide settings Shift templates Employee groups and leave policies For Employees 📅 Viewing Your Schedule Step 1: Access Your Schedule Click on My Schedule from the main menu You'll see your shifts displayed in a calendar or list view Step 2: Understanding Your Shift Details Each shift shows: Date and Day Start Time (when your shift begins) End Time (when your shift ends) Shift Name (e.g., Morning Shift, Evening Shift) Role (your position for this shift) Status (Draft, Published, or Approved) Different Views Weekly View : See all your shifts for the week with total hours Monthly View : See shifts across the entire month Hourly View : See detailed breakdown by hour 🕐 Setting Your Availability Your availability tells managers when you prefer to work or when you're unavailable. 📊 See the Availability Process Flowchart above for a visual guide! Step 1: Go to Availability Settings Navigate to My Availability Click Set Availability Step 2: Choose Your Days Select the day(s) of the week (Monday through Sunday) You can set different availability for each day Step 3: Set Your Time Preferences If you're available: Choose "Available" Select your start and end times Example: Available Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM If you're unavailable: Choose "Unavailable" Select the time range you cannot work Example: Unavailable Wednesday 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Step 4: Save and Submit Click Save to save your availability as a draft Click Submit for Approval to send it to your manager 💡 Tip : You can set your availability for the whole day by selecting "Whole Day Available" or "Whole Day Unavailable" Step 5: Wait for Approval Your manager will receive your availability request You'll get a notification when it's approved or rejected Approved availability is shown in green Rejected availability is shown in red 🌴 Applying for Leave 📊 See the Leave Application Flowchart above for a visual guide! Step 1: Go to Leave Application Navigate to Apply Leave Click New Leave Request Step 2: Check Your Leave Balance Before applying, check your available balance: Paid Leave : Time off with pay Sick Leave : For illness or medical appointments Unpaid Leave : Time off without pay The system shows how many days you have remaining for each type. Step 3: Fill Out Leave Details Select Leave Type (Paid, Sick, or Unpaid) Choose Date(s) : Click on the calendar to select one or multiple days Enter Reason : Briefly explain why you need leave Review Balance : Make sure you have enough leave balance Step 4: Submit Application Click Submit Leave Application The system will check for any conflicts: ❌ If you have a shift assigned on that day, you cannot apply for leave ❌ If it's a blackout day (busy period), leave may not be allowed ❌ If you've exceeded monthly limits Step 5: Track Your Request Pending : Waiting for manager approval (Yellow) Approved : Your leave is approved (Green) Rejected : Your leave was not approved (Red) You'll receive email and in-app notifications about your leave status. ⚠️ Important : You cannot apply for leave if you already have an approved shift on that day. Cancel your shift first. 🎯 Claiming Open Shifts Open shifts are available shifts that haven't been assigned to anyone yet. You can claim them if you're available! 📊 See the Open Shift Claiming Flowchart above for a visual guide! Step 1: View Open Shifts Go to Team Schedule or Available Shifts Look for shifts labeled "Open Shift" Step 2: Review Shift Details Check the: Date and time Role required Shift length Your current schedule (make sure it doesn't conflict) Step 3: Claim the Shift Click on the open shift Click Claim This Shift Confirm your claim request Step 4: Wait for Approval Your manager receives your claim request They'll review and either approve or reject it You'll get notified of the decision 💡 Tip : Only claim shifts you can definitely work. Claiming and then canceling creates scheduling issues. 📊 Viewing Your Work Hours Navigate to My Schedule Select the date range (week or month) You'll see: Total Hours Worked Forecasted Wages (based on your hourly rate) Number of Shifts This helps you track your expected earnings for the pay period. For Managers 👥 Creating and Assigning Shifts 📊 See the Schedule Creation Flowchart above for a visual guide! Step 1: Access Schedule Management Go to Team Schedule or Manage Schedules Select the date range you want to schedule Step 2: Create a New Shift Click Add Shift or click on a date in the calendar Fill in shift details: Employee : Select who to assign (or leave as "Open Shift") Date : When the shift occurs Start Time : When the shift begins End Time : When the shift ends Shift Template : Choose from predefined shifts (Morning, Evening, Night) Role : What position they'll work Notes : Any special instructions Step 3: Check for Conflicts The system automatically checks: ✅ No overlapping shifts : Employee doesn't have another shift at the same time ✅ No leave conflicts : Employee hasn't applied for leave on this day ✅ Availability warning : You'll see if the employee marked themselves unavailable ⚠️ Force Add Option : If an employee is marked unavailable but you still need to assign them, you can force add the shift. They'll be notified. Step 4: Save as Draft Click Save The shift is saved but NOT visible to employees yet You can make changes before publishing 📢 Publishing Schedules Employees can only see shifts after you publish them. Step 1: Review Draft Shifts Go to Manage Schedules View all draft shifts for the selected period Make any final changes Step 2: Publish Shifts Select the date range Click Publish Schedule Confirm publication What happens: All draft shifts change to "Published" status Employees receive email notifications Shifts appear on employee schedules Shifts are still editable ✅ Approving Schedules Published shifts need final approval before they're locked in. Step 1: Review Published Shifts Go to Manage Schedules Filter by "Published" status Review all shifts in the date range Step 2: Approve Schedules Select the date range Click Approve Schedule Confirm approval What happens: Shifts change to "Approved" status Employees receive approval confirmation Shifts are now finalized (harder to change) System marks them as confirmed 💡 Tip : Only approve schedules when you're certain. Approved shifts should rarely change. 🔄 Unpublishing Schedules If you need to make significant changes to a published schedule: Select the published date range Click Unpublish Schedule Confirm unpublishing What happens: Shifts return to "Draft" status Employees lose visibility You can make changes freely 👍 Reviewing Employee Availability Step 1: Access Availability Requests Go to Team Availability You'll see all submitted availability requests Step 2: Review Each Request For each employee's availability: See which days/times they prefer to work See which days/times they're unavailable Check if it fits your scheduling needs Step 3: Approve or Reject Click on the availability request Choose: Approve : Accept their availability preferences Reject : Decline (they'll need to discuss with you) Add notes if needed Notification: Employee receives email notification They see the status update in the app 💡 Best Practice : Communicate with employees about rejected availability to find a solution. 📝 Managing Leave Requests Step 1: View Leave Requests Navigate to Leave Management Filter by: Pending : Awaiting your decision Approved : Already approved Rejected : Previously declined Step 2: Review Each Request For each leave application, check: Employee name and leave dates Leave type and reason Their remaining leave balance Current schedule conflicts The system shows warnings if: ❌ Employee has a shift on that day ❌ Too many people already on leave ❌ Insufficient leave balance Step 3: Make Your Decision To Approve: Click Approve Confirm approval Employee receives confirmation email To Reject: Click Reject Add a reason (helps employee understand) Employee receives rejection email ⚠️ Important : Once approved, leave should rarely be revoked. Employees plan around approved leave. 📊 Viewing Team Forecasts Track your team's hours and costs. Step 1: Access Forecasts Go to Team Schedule Select the date range Enable forecast view Step 2: View Overall Forecast You'll see totals for the selected period: Total Employee Hours : Sum of all shift hours Total Wage Cost : Based on hourly wages Number of Employees Scheduled Step 3: View Daily/Hourly Breakdown Daily Forecast : Hours and costs per day Hourly Forecast : Hour-by-hour staffing levels (helps identify understaffed periods) 💡 Use This For : Budget planning, identifying gaps in coverage, optimizing labor costs 🎯 Managing Open Shift Claims When employees claim open shifts, you need to approve them. Step 1: View Claim Requests Go to Open Shifts or Claim Requests See all pending claims Step 2: Review Each Claim For each request: Employee name Their current schedule Shift details Request date Step 3: Approve or Reject Approve : Employee is assigned the shift, receives confirmation Reject : Shift remains open for others to claim 📋 Using Shift Templates Save time by creating reusable shift templates. Step 1: Create Templates Go to Shift Master or Shift Templates Click Add New Shift Template Define: Shift name (e.g., "Morning Shift") Standard start time (e.g., 9:00 AM) Standard end time (e.g., 5:00 PM) Step 2: Use Templates When creating shifts: Instead of entering times manually Select from your templates Times auto-fill (you can still adjust) 💡 Common Templates : Morning Shift, Afternoon Shift, Night Shift, Weekend Shift Understanding Schedule Status 📊 Shift Status Indicators Status What It Means For Employees For Managers Draft 📝 Shift is being planned Not visible to you Can edit freely Published 📢 Schedule is released You can see it Can still edit Approved ✅ Schedule is final Confirmed shift Locked in Unpublished 🔙 Schedule was retracted No longer visible Back to draft 🎨 Color Coding Different shift types may have different colors: Morning shifts : Often shown in light blue Evening shifts : Often shown in orange Night shifts : Often shown in dark blue Open shifts : Often shown in gray or outlined (Colors are customizable by your administrator) Notifications & Alerts 📧 Email Notifications You'll receive emails for: ✉️ New shifts assigned to you ✉️ Schedule published/approved ✉️ Availability request status ✉️ Leave approval/rejection ✉️ Open shift claim status 🔔 In-App Notifications Real-time alerts appear in the app for: 🔔 Schedule changes 🔔 New open shifts available 🔔 Urgent manager messages 🔔 Reminder about upcoming shifts ⚙️ Notification Settings Customize your preferences: Go to Settings or Preferences Select Notifications Choose what you want to be notified about Select delivery method (Email, App, SMS if available) Frequently Asked Questions General Questions Q: How far in advance will I see my schedule? A: This depends on your manager's scheduling practices. Typically, schedules are published 1-2 weeks in advance. Q: Can I trade shifts with coworkers? A: This depends on your company's policy. Check with your manager about the shift swap process. Q: What if I can't work a scheduled shift? A: Contact your manager as soon as possible. You may need to find coverage or request leave. For Employees Q: Why can't I apply for leave on a specific date? A: Common reasons: You have an approved shift on that day (cancel shift first) It's a blackout day (busy period) You don't have enough leave balance Monthly leave limit reached Q: My availability request was rejected. What now? A: Talk to your manager to understand why and work out a solution that works for both. Q: Can I claim multiple open shifts? A: Yes, as long as they don't overlap with your existing schedule. Q: How do I know if my claim was approved? A: You'll receive a notification and email. The shift will appear on your schedule if approved. Q: What's the difference between "unavailable" and "requesting leave"? A: Unavailable : Standing preference (e.g., "I prefer not to work Sundays") Leave : Specific time off request for a particular date Q: Can I see how much I'll earn this pay period? A: Yes! View your schedule and it will show forecasted wages based on your hourly rate. For Managers Q: What happens if I delete an approved shift? A: The employee will be notified. Use this carefully as it affects their expected income. Q: Can I assign an employee who has leave approved? A: No, the system prevents this to avoid conflicts. Q: What's the difference between publishing and approving? A: Publishing : Makes schedule visible to employees (still editable) Approving : Finalizes and confirms the schedule (locked) Q: How do I handle overstaffing/understaffing? A: Use the hourly forecast view to see staffing levels throughout the day. Adjust shifts accordingly. Q: Can I copy last week's schedule? A: Yes! Use the "Copy From Past Week" feature to duplicate a previous schedule. Q: What if an employee isn't showing up in my list? A: They may be: In a different branch Not in your management hierarchy Marked as inactive Not assigned a schedulable role Q: How do I create an open shift? A: When creating a shift, select "Open Shift" as the employee instead of a specific person. Leave Management Q: What's a blackout day? A: Dates when leave requests aren't allowed due to business needs (e.g., holiday rush, major events). Q: How is leave balance calculated? A: Based on your employee group's annual allocation minus leaves already taken this year. Q: What's the monthly leave limit? A: Prevents all leave being used at once. Limits how many days per month you can take per leave type. Q: Can I cancel approved leave? A: Contact your manager. They can update the status in the system. Tips for Success For Employees ✨ Set your availability early : Helps managers plan better and gives you shifts you prefer Check your schedule regularly : Respond quickly to any changes Plan leave in advance : Better chance of approval Keep the app notifications on : Stay informed about schedule updates Communicate with your manager : If you have scheduling conflicts or concerns For Managers 🎯 Publish schedules consistently : Employees appreciate predictability Respect approved availability : It builds trust with your team Use forecasts : Avoid overstaffing (high costs) or understaffing (poor service) Respond to requests promptly : Don't leave employees waiting Communicate changes : If you must change an approved schedule, explain why Use shift templates : Saves time on repetitive scheduling Plan for busy periods : Schedule extra staff during known rush times Getting Help Need Assistance? Contact Your Manager : For scheduling questions or conflicts HR Department : For leave policies or system access issues IT Support : For technical problems or login issues User Guide : Refer back to this guide for step-by-step instructions Reporting Issues If you encounter a problem: Note the date, time, and what you were trying to do Take a screenshot if possible Report to your manager or IT support Include any error messages you saw Quick Reference Guide Common Actions I Want To... Employee Manager See my schedule My Schedule Team Schedule Set when I can work My Availability Team Availability Request time off Apply Leave Leave Management Claim an open shift Available Shifts Open Shifts See my hours/pay My Schedule (View Hours) Team Forecast Get notifications Settings → Notifications Settings → Notifications Status Meanings Icon/Status Meaning 📝 Draft Not visible to employees yet 📢 Published Visible but not final ✅ Approved Confirmed and locked ⏳ Pending Waiting for approval ✅ Approved Request was accepted ❌ Rejected Request was declined Conclusion The Employee Scheduling System makes managing work schedules simple and transparent. By following this guide, you can: ✅ Stay on top of your work schedule ✅ Communicate your availability ✅ Plan your time off effectively ✅ Find additional work opportunities ✅ Track your hours and earnings Remember : Communication is key! If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to your manager. Happy scheduling! 🎉