The short answer: With EZTime, an employee who cannot work a shift requests a swap in the mobile app, a coworker covers it, and a manager approves the change. The published schedule updates for everyone, and the hours worked are compared with the approved schedule when you review time before payroll.
In many hourly teams, swaps happen in a group chat or by a quick word at the end of a shift. It works until it does not: two people think the other one is coming, a less experienced employee covers a shift that needs a key holder, or a swap quietly pushes someone into overtime.
Managers find out when the shift starts short, and payroll finds out when the hours do not match the schedule.
A clear request and approval path keeps the flexibility employees value while protecting coverage and your labor budget.
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Ask employees for availability before you publish the schedule, so fewer swaps are needed.
Swaps should stay within the same role or skill level, for example key holders or certified staff.
For example, swap requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before the shift.
Review whether the swap pushes anyone over weekly hours or into back-to-back shifts.
The schedule in the app is the only schedule. Agreements in chats do not count until approved.
Look at how many swaps were requested and approved, and adjust the policy if needed.
Yes. Employees request shift swaps in the EZTime mobile app, and managers approve them.
We recommend manager approval so coverage, skills and overtime are checked before the change takes effect.
Yes. The approved change appears in the published schedule that employees and managers see.
If you set up labor rule alerts, EZTime flags swaps that push an employee over the weekly limit or into a short rest period.
In cities and states with predictive scheduling laws, employee-requested swaps may be treated differently from employer changes. Check the rules that apply to you; this is general information, not legal advice.
Yes. EZTime offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Build and publish the weekly schedule in minutes.
See if a swap creates overtime or short rest.
Requests, approvals and the schedule in one app.