Shifts
Shifts define work schedules for your employees. This guide covers creating shift types, configuring timing, and assigning shifts to employees.
Shift Overview
Navigate to Attendance Management > Shifts from the sidebar to manage work schedules.
Default Shift
Most organizations have a default shift (often called "General" or "Day Shift") that applies to regular working hours. One shift can be marked as the system default.
Shift Types
The system supports two shift types:
| Shift Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Regular | Standard daytime shifts |
| Night | Overnight shifts that cross midnight |
Creating Shifts
Add a New Shift
- Navigate to Attendance Management > Shifts and click Add New
- Configure shift details
- Set timing parameters
- Click Save
Shift Configuration Fields
Basic Information
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Shift Name | Descriptive name (e.g., "Day Shift") | Yes |
| Shift Code | Short identifier (e.g., "DAY", "NIGHT") | Yes |
| Shift Type | Regular or Night | Yes |
| Notes | Additional notes about the shift | No |
Timing Configuration
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Start Time | Shift begins at this time | Yes |
| End Time | Shift ends at this time | Yes |
Working Days
Select which days of the week are working days for this shift:
- Monday through Sunday (each is a toggle)
- Working days appear as green badges in the shift list
Break Configuration
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Break | Toggle break tracking on/off |
| Break Time | Duration of break in minutes |
Overtime Configuration
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Overtime | Toggle overtime tracking on/off |
| Overtime Threshold | Hours after which overtime begins |
Example Shift Configuration
Day Shift Example:
Shift Name: Day Shift
Shift Code: DAY
Shift Type: Regular
Start Time: 09:00 AM
End Time: 06:00 PM
Working Days: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Break Enabled: Yes
Break Time: 60 minutes
Assigning Shifts to Employees
Individual Assignment
- Navigate to the employee creation or edit form
- Select the shift from the Shift dropdown (this is a required field)
- Save
Shift Assignment Notes
- Every employee must have a shift assigned
- The shift determines the employee's expected working hours
- Attendance records are evaluated against the assigned shift's timing
Managing Shifts
Toggle Status
Toggle a shift between Active and Inactive:
- Open the shift list
- Click Toggle Status from the actions menu
- Inactive shifts will not appear in dropdowns for new assignments
Deleting Shifts
Shifts can only be deleted if they are not currently assigned to any employees. If a shift is in use:
- Reassign employees to a different shift first
- Then delete the shift
Best Practices
Shift Design
- Name shifts clearly (avoid generic names like "Shift 1")
- Use meaningful codes (e.g., "DAY", "NIGHT", "EVE")
- Document shift rules and expectations in the notes field
Timing Configuration
- Set realistic working hours
- Include appropriate break times when breaks are enabled
- Align with labor law requirements
Assignment Management
- Maintain shift assignment records
- Notify employees of shift changes in advance
Next: Learn about Holidays to configure your organization's holiday calendar.