Shift Swapping Made Simple
Let employees trade shifts with each other while you maintain control. Reduce no-shows, increase flexibility, and save hours of phone tag every week.
How Shift Swapping Works
From request to approval in minutes, not hours
Employee requests a swap
An employee who can't work their shift opens the app and requests to swap. They can add a reason or just submit the request.
System finds eligible coworkers
NextShifts automatically shows coworkers who are available, qualified, and won't go into overtime if they take the shift.
Coworker accepts the swap
Eligible employees receive a notification and can accept the swap with one tap. First to accept gets the shift.
Manager approves (optional)
If configured, the manager reviews and approves the swap. Or set up auto-approval for qualifying swaps.
Schedule updates automatically
Once approved, the schedule updates instantly. Both employees get confirmation, and everyone sees the change.
Why Enable Shift Swapping?
Flexibility benefits everyone—employees, managers, and your bottom line
Reduce No-Shows
When employees can easily find coverage, they're less likely to call out last-minute. Shift swaps give them a legitimate way to handle conflicts.
Happier Employees
Flexibility is the #1 thing hourly workers want. Letting them swap shifts shows you respect their time and builds loyalty.
Save Manager Time
Stop playing phone tag to find coverage. Employees handle swaps themselves, and you just approve. Takes seconds, not hours.
Stay Compliant
Automatic checks prevent swaps that would violate overtime rules, rest period requirements, or skill qualifications.
Shift Swap Features
Everything you need for seamless shift trading
Mobile-First Experience
Employees can request and accept swaps from their phone. No need to be at a computer or call the manager.
Smart Eligibility Matching
Only show swap opportunities to employees who are qualified, available, and won't trigger overtime.
Configurable Approval Rules
Require manager approval for all swaps, or auto-approve when both employees have the same role and skills.
Real-Time Notifications
Push notifications, email, and in-app alerts keep everyone informed of swap requests and decisions.
Swap History & Audit Trail
Full record of who swapped what and when. Useful for payroll questions and pattern analysis.
Reason Tracking
Employees can optionally provide reasons for swap requests. Helps managers understand patterns.
Manual vs. NextShifts
See how much time you'll save
| Task | Manual Process | With NextShifts |
|---|---|---|
| Employee needs coverage | Calls/texts manager, who then calls around | Opens app, requests swap in 30 seconds |
| Finding eligible coworkers | Manager checks schedule, calls multiple people | System instantly shows qualified, available staff |
| Getting confirmation | Phone tag, missed calls, confusion | One-tap accept with instant notification |
| Updating the schedule | Manual edit, hope everyone sees it | Auto-updates, both employees notified |
| Time to complete | 30 minutes to several hours | Under 5 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about shift swapping
Related Features
More ways NextShifts helps you manage scheduling
12-Hour Shift Patterns
Explore rotating shift patterns like 2-2-3, Pitman, and DuPont for 24/7 operations.
Schedule Templates
Download free shift schedule templates for Excel and Google Sheets.
Restaurant Scheduling
See how restaurants use shift swapping to handle high turnover and last-minute changes.
Ready to enable shift swapping?
Give your employees the flexibility they want while keeping full control over your schedule. Start your free trial today.