OpShifts on WhatsApp

Save the OpShifts number your manager gave you and send it a message. Send the word menu at any time and tap what you need. You can also type a command that starts with a slash, like /shifts.

These all work, whichever phone you have.

1. /shifts: see your upcoming shifts
2. /availability: tell us which days you can work
3. /cant_make_today and /cant_make_tomorrow: you can't make a shift (sick or another reason)
4. /late_15, /late_45, /late_60: running late, up to 15 minutes, 15 to 45 minutes, or an hour or more
5. /giveaway: put one of your shifts up for grabs
6. /directswap: swap a shift with a colleague you've agreed with
7. /pickup: take an open shift someone gave away
8. /withdraw: take your shift back off the list
9. /dayoff and /late_start: ask your manager for a day off or a later start
10. /menu: open the menu with buttons. /cancel: stop what you were doing
11. /optout and /optin: stop or restart WhatsApp messages from OpShifts

No. iPhone and Android show the list of commands differently, and we can't change that. If the list doesn't appear, just send the word menu and tap what you need. Everything works the same either way.

Send menu, tap Choose, then More help and Commands. Press and hold the list that comes back and tap Pin. It stays at the top of the chat so you never have to scroll for it.

Send /late_15, /late_45 or /late_60, or send menu and tap Running late. Pick how late and the reason. If you work more than one shift that day, you'll be asked which one. Your manager is told straight away.

Send /cant_make_today or /cant_make_tomorrow. Pick the shift if asked, then a reason such as sick or unwell, family, transport, childcare or a medical appointment. Your manager is told and decides what happens next. Do this as early as you can.

When your venue asks for availability you'll get a message. You can also send /availability at any time. Answer by the cutoff your manager set. If you don't answer, the roster may assume you are free, so it's worth replying.

Three ways, depending on what you want.

1. Give it away: send /giveaway and pick the shift. Anyone with the right role can take it, and your manager confirms.
2. Swap with someone you've agreed with: send /directswap, pick your shift, then the colleague and the shift you're trading. They accept or decline, then your manager confirms. Nothing changes on the roster until then.
3. Changed your mind: send /withdraw to take your shift back off the list.

Send /pickup and choose from the open shifts. Your manager gets your claim and confirms it. You'll be told when it's confirmed.

Send /dayoff or /late_start, pick the shift and give a short reason. Your manager approves or declines and you get a message either way. Requests close a set time before the shift, so ask early.

Each venue sets a cutoff before each shift. Inside it, day-off, later-start, leave and sick requests and swaps are closed and you're asked to contact the venue directly. Running-late messages still go through.

Send /optout. We'll stop sending you OpShifts messages. Send /optin whenever you want them back. Your manager can still reach you themselves.