How to Get Started with Shiffy: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to Shiffy! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your business up and running with our shift management platform.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Getting started is simple:

1. Visit Shiffy's sign-up page 2. Enter your business email and create a password 3. Provide basic information about your business 4. Choose your plan (you can start with the free trial)

Pro tip: No credit card is required for the 14-day free trial, so you can explore all features risk-free.

Step 2: Set Up Your Business Profile

Once you've created your account, take a few minutes to complete your business profile:

• **Business name**: How your business will appear in Shiffy
• **Industry**: Helps us customize features for your needs
• **Time zone**: Ensures schedules display correctly
• **Business hours**: Sets default operating hours

Step 3: Create Positions

Before adding employees, define the positions in your business:

1. Go to Settings → Positions 2. Click Add Position 3. Enter position details:

• Position name (e.g., "Server", "Cashier", "Manager")
• Description (optional)
• Default hourly rate (optional, for cost tracking)

Common positions might include:

• Server/Waiter
• Cook/Chef
• Cashier
• Manager
• Host/Hostess

Step 4: Add Your Team

Now it's time to add your employees:

1. Navigate to Team in the main menu 2. Click Invite Employee 3. Enter their email address 4. Select their position 5. Choose their role (Employee, Manager, or Admin)

What happens next:

• The employee receives an email invitation
• They create their account and set a password
• They can immediately access the mobile app
• They'll appear in your team list

Pro tip: You can add employees in bulk by importing a CSV file if you have many team members.

Step 5: Set Up Employee Availability

To create effective schedules, you'll want to know when employees are available:

1. Go to Team → Select an employee 2. Click Availability 3. Set their preferred working days and times 4. Add any recurring unavailability (e.g., "Every Tuesday morning")

Employees can also set their own availability preferences in the mobile app.

Step 6: Create Your First Schedule

Now for the fun part—creating your schedule:

Option A: Start from Scratch

1. Go to Schedule 2. Click Create Shift 3. Fill in the details:

• Date and time
• Position needed
• Employee (or leave unassigned)
• Location (if you have multiple)

4. Click Save

Option B: Use Templates

1. Go to Schedule → Templates 2. Create a template for common shift patterns 3. Use the template to quickly generate shifts

Option C: Recurring Shifts

1. Create a shift 2. Click Make Recurring 3. Choose the pattern (daily, weekly, etc.) 4. Set the date range 5. Shiffy automatically creates all the shifts

Step 7: Publish Your Schedule

Once your schedule is ready:

1. Review all shifts for accuracy 2. Click Publish Schedule 3. All employees receive notifications 4. The schedule is visible in the mobile app

Pro tip: You can publish schedules in advance. Many businesses publish schedules 2-3 weeks ahead.

Step 8: Download the Mobile App

Encourage your employees to download the Shiffy iOS app:

1. Search "Shiffy" in the App Store 2. Download and install 3. Log in with their email and password 4. They can now view schedules, request time off, and more

Step 9: Manage Shift Requests

As employees use the app, you'll receive requests:

• **Time off requests**: Review and approve/deny
• **Shift swaps**: Employees can request to swap shifts
• **Coverage requests**: When someone needs coverage

All requests appear in your dashboard for easy management.

Step 10: Explore Advanced Features

Once you're comfortable with the basics, explore:

• **Analytics**: Track labor costs and hours
• **Reports**: Export data for payroll
• **Notifications**: Customize when and how you're notified
• **Integrations**: Connect with other tools (coming soon)

Best Practices

Schedule in Advance

Publish schedules at least 2 weeks ahead when possible. This gives employees time to plan and reduces last-minute changes.

Use Templates

Create templates for common shift patterns (e.g., "Weekend Opening Shift") to save time.

Communicate Clearly

Use Shiffy's messaging features to communicate with your team about schedule changes or important updates.

Review Regularly

Check your analytics regularly to identify patterns and optimize your scheduling.

Getting Help

If you need assistance:

• **Help Center**: Visit our support page for articles and guides
• **Email Support**: Contact support@shiftsapp.com
• **In-App Help**: Click the help icon in your dashboard

Next Steps

Now that you're set up, consider:

1. Setting up recurring shifts for consistency 2. Creating shift templates for common patterns 3. Exploring the mobile app features 4. Setting up notifications preferences 5. Reviewing your analytics dashboard

Conclusion

You're all set! Shiffy is designed to make shift management simple and efficient. As you use the platform, you'll discover features that save you time and make scheduling easier.

Remember, you're in a free trial period, so explore all the features and see how Shiffy can transform your scheduling process.

Happy scheduling!