Call-in shift (in shift work): A shift where employees must call in to confirm if they are needed.
Call-in shift
A call-in shift (also known as an on-call shift) is a flexible scheduling practice where employees must check with their employer shortly before their potential work time to confirm if they’re needed. This scheduling method has become increasingly common in retail stores, restaurants, and service industries where customer demand can vary significantly throughout the day.
When an employee is assigned a call-in shift, they aren’t guaranteed to work during that time period. Instead, they enter a state of “on-call” availability, where they must contact their supervisor at a designated time—usually 2-4 hours before the potential shift starts—to learn whether they need to report for work.
How call-in shifts work
Call-in shift scheduling revolves around three main elements:
- Availability Window: The period during which an employee might be called to work. Managers identify potential busy periods and designate them as call-in shift windows. They then assign employees to be on call during these times.
- Contact Time: The specific deadline by which employees must check in with their supervisor. When this designated check-in time arrives (commonly 2-4 hours before the shift), employees must contact their supervisor to confirm whether their presence is required.
- Confirmation Process: The method used to determine whether the employee needs to work. Management confirms whether the employee needs to work based on business demands. If needed, the employee reports to work at the specified time; if not, they’re released from the on-call obligation.
Management can base their decision on various factors, such as:
- Current customer traffic
- Sales volume
- Weather conditions
- Special events
- Staff availability
Advantages for Employers
Call in shift scheduling offers businesses several key benefits. It’s an affordable way to match staffing levels to actual business demand, allowing businesses to respond quickly to unexpected rush periods while avoiding overstaffing during slower times. Additionally, maintaining a larger pool of on-call workers helps ensure coverage for last-minute schedule changes.
Impact on Employees
Many jurisdictions have implemented specific regulations governing call-in shifts. These often include requirements for:
- Minimum notification periods
- Reporting time pay
- Schedule predictability pay
- Record-keeping requirements
Today’s workforce management systems offer sophisticated tools for handling call-in shifts. Digital platforms can streamline the notification process, track availability, and ensure compliance with local regulations. These solutions help both employers and employees better manage the complexities of flexible scheduling.
How we can help
There are countless options out there for managing shifts, and not every software will cater to your unique needs. Give our self-scheduling tool, Zelos Team Management, a shot! We’re committed to assisting you with finding the most efficient methods for managing your flexible shifts. Sign up for a free account on our website and see how we can support your shift management journey.
Shift work glossary
- Schedule adherence
- Schedule lock
- Schedule optimization
- Schedule request period
- Schedule template
- Schedule transparency
- Scheduling conflicts
- Scheduling constraints
- Scheduling fairness
- Scheduling horizon
- Seasonal roster
- Self-scheduling
- Self-scheduling rules
- Shift bidding
- Shift differential
- Shift eligibility
- Shift Fatigue
- Shift marketplace
- Shift pattern
- Shift release
- Shift rotation
- Shift swapping
- Shift trade
- Split roster
- Split shift
- Staggered shift roster
- Swing shift