General FAQ
Common questions about Shyfts and how the platform works.
Getting Started
What is Shyfts?
Shyfts is a multi-industry workforce management platform designed for internal staff and HR management. It helps organisations manage:
- Staff schedules and rotas
- Time tracking and timesheets
- Leave requests and approvals
- Internal communications
- Company settings and configurations
Who is Shyfts for?
Shyfts is designed for businesses across multiple industries:
- GP Practices - Medical staff scheduling
- Dental Practices - Dental team management
- Restaurants - Hospitality staff rotas
- Offices - General business workforce
Is there a mobile app?
Shyfts is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that works on mobile browsers. You can:
- Access all features on your mobile device
- Add Shyfts to your home screen for quick access
- Use touch gestures for navigation
- Receive notifications on supported devices
There is no separate app store download - simply visit Shyfts in your mobile browser.
What browsers are supported?
Shyfts supports the latest versions of:
- Chrome (recommended)
- Firefox
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
For the best experience, ensure your browser is up to date.
UK Standards
What date format does Shyfts use?
Shyfts uses UK date formats throughout:
- Dates: DD/MM/YYYY (e.g., 14/01/2025)
- Times: 24-hour format (e.g., 14:30)
- Weeks: Start on Monday
- Timezone: Europe/London (handles BST automatically)
Why do weeks start on Monday?
This follows the UK standard (ISO 8601) where Monday is the first day of the working week. All calendars, reports, and schedules are organised with Monday as day one.
Account & Access
How do I get access to Shyfts?
Shyfts accounts are created by:
- Staff accounts: Created by your company manager
- Company Manager accounts: Created by system administrators
- System Admin accounts: Created by Shyfts support
You cannot register yourself - an authorised person must create your account.
Can I access Shyfts from multiple devices?
Yes, you can log in from any device with a web browser. Your session is shared, so logging in on a new device will log you out of others.
How long does my session last?
Sessions remain active while you're using Shyfts. After a period of inactivity (typically 30 minutes), you may be logged out for security.
Roles & Permissions
What are the different user roles?
Shyfts has three main roles:
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Staff | Regular employees who view schedules, track time, request leave |
| Company Manager | Managers who create schedules, approve requests, manage staff |
| System Admin | Platform administrators who manage companies and system settings |
How are permissions determined?
Permissions are based on your assigned role. Each role has specific capabilities:
- Staff can view their own information and make requests
- Managers can manage their company's staff and schedules
- Admins can access all platform settings
Can I have multiple roles?
No, each account has one role. If you need different access levels, speak to your manager about your requirements.
Data & Privacy
How is my data protected?
Shyfts protects your data through:
- Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS)
- Row Level Security: Database access is restricted by role
- Secure authentication: Powered by industry-standard Supabase Auth
- UK data residency: Data is stored in UK/EU data centres
Who can see my information?
Access to your information is role-based:
- You can see your own information
- Your manager can see information relevant to managing you
- System admins can access company-level data
Can I delete my account?
Account deletion must be requested through your company manager or system administrator. Your data may be retained for compliance purposes as required by law.
Technical Issues
The page won't load - what should I do?
Try these steps:
- Refresh the page (Ctrl+R / Cmd+R)
- Clear your browser cache
- Try a different browser
- Check your internet connection
- Wait a few minutes and try again
If problems persist, contact your manager or system administrator.
Why is Shyfts running slowly?
Slow performance can be caused by:
- Poor internet connection
- Outdated browser
- Too many browser tabs open
- System maintenance (rare)
Try closing other tabs and refreshing the page.
I can't see a feature I need
If you can't access a feature:
- Check your role has permission for that feature
- Ask your manager if you should have access
- The feature may be planned but not yet available
Notifications
How do notifications work?
Shyfts sends notifications for:
- New messages
- Leave request updates
- Schedule changes
- Broadcast announcements
Notifications appear in-app. Email notifications may also be sent depending on settings.
Why am I not receiving notifications?
Check the following:
- Browser notifications are enabled
- Your notification settings in Shyfts
- You're logged into the correct account
- Your browser is up to date
Industry Templates
What are industry templates?
Industry templates customise Shyfts for your type of business:
- Terminology: Uses industry-appropriate terms
- Default roles: Provides relevant staff roles
- Room types: Sets up appropriate facility types
Can templates be customised?
Company managers can:
- Add custom staff roles
- Create additional room types
- Modify settings within their company
System-wide templates are managed by administrators.
Getting Help
Where can I find more help?
- This documentation: Browse user guides for step-by-step instructions
- Your manager: For company-specific questions
- System administrator: For technical issues
- Shyfts support: For platform-wide problems
How do I report a bug?
If you find a bug:
- Note what you were doing when it happened
- Take a screenshot if possible
- Report to your manager or system administrator
- They will escalate to Shyfts support if needed
How do I request a new feature?
Feature requests should go through your company manager, who can submit them to system administrators. Popular requests are considered for future development.