Shift Calendars

If your team’s schedule is scribbled on the back of a napkin or lost in a sea of spreadsheets, it’s time for an upgrade. A well-organised Shift Calendar isn’t just about knowing who’s working when - it’s the secret weapon for smoother operations, happier staff, and fewer rota-related headaches.

Whether you’re managing a team in hospitality, retail, healthcare, or beyond, a smart Shift Planner can help you stay on top of everything from peak periods to time-off requests - without breaking a sweat.

What is a Shift Calendar?

A Shift Calendar is your master schedule. It shows who’s working on which days, what shifts they’re covering, and where they’re needed. Think of it as your team’s scheduling hub - keeping everyone aligned, in the loop, and showing up at the right place, at the right time.

When built properly (and ideally with a digital Shift Planner), it becomes a game-changer for managing staff availability, ensuring coverage, and avoiding common scheduling snafus like double-bookings or missed shifts.

Why use a Shift Calendar?

Still relying on paper schedules or endless group chats? Here’s why switching to a digital Shift Calendar is a major upgrade:

Clear visibility – Everyone sees their shifts, time off, and updates in one place

Better planning – Forecast staffing needs and cover gaps before they become a problem

Improved communication – Changes are instant, and no one gets left out of the loop

More flexibility – Swap shifts, request changes, and approve time-off—all without the back-and-forth

Enter: the Shift Planner

A modern Shift Planner takes the old-school calendar and supercharges it. With features designed for busy teams, you can build, edit, and share schedules in minutes - not hours. Plus, when life inevitably throws a curveball (looking at you, last-minute sick days), adjustments are quick and painless.

Here’s what a great Shift Planner should let you do:

• Drag and drop shifts with ease
• Notify staff of changes instantly
• Copy and repeat shift patterns
• Track coverage, overtime, and gaps in real time
• Integrate with payroll and timesheet systems

Who benefits from a Shift Calendar?

Basically: everyone.

Whether you're managing a bustling bar, a clinic with rotating nurses, or a retail team across multiple sites, a Shift Calendar helps you stay organised and agile. Your team will love the clarity, and you’ll love not getting a dozen “When am I working again?” texts every week.

Get your shift together with Planday

With Planday’s Shift Planner, scheduling becomes faster, smarter, and a whole lot less stressful. Build your Shift Calendar in just a few clicks, make real-time updates, and keep your team synced wherever they are.

No more missed shifts, awkward overlaps, or scheduling spreadsheets from 2007.

Ready to simplify your scheduling?

Try Planday’s smart Shift Planner today - free for 30 days. Your future self (and your whole team) will thank you.