When you need coverage, an open shift lets caregivers claim the work themselves. And when an assigned caregiver backs out — a callout — you can refill the shift quickly. Here's how both work.
Posting an open shift
Open the shift and choose Post open shift. You have two ways to target it:
By category — broadcast to caregivers who match filters like role, status, tags, or gender (include or exclude). The button reads Post.
Specific caregivers — hand-pick who can see it. Pick several and it's an open shift they compete for; pick one and it becomes a direct offer to that person. The button reads Offer shift.
Heads-up: if the shift already has a caregiver assigned, posting it will remove that caregiver — you'll see their name before you confirm.
How caregivers claim it
Eligible caregivers see the open shift in their mobile app and can claim it. The first to accept wins — the shift becomes Scheduled for them, the post is marked Filled, and the other candidates are released. If your workspace blocks overtime from the job board, a claim that would push a caregiver into overtime is declined automatically.
An open post can be Open, Filled, Cancelled (you closed it), or Expired (no one claimed it by the shift's start time).
Handling a caregiver callout
When a caregiver calls out of a shift, unassign them and then refill it. You have a few options:
Re-post as an open shift so other caregivers can claim it.
Offer it to a specific caregiver you have in mind.
Ask Looper to help — it can scan the caregiver's upcoming shifts over a date range and rank replacement candidates for each, so you can approve replacements quickly.
FAQ
I picked one caregiver but it didn't post as an open shift — why?
Choosing a single specific caregiver creates a direct offer (they accept or decline), not an open post. Pick two or more to make it an open shift.
Does posting an open shift notify caregivers?
Yes — caregivers who match your targeting are notified so they can claim it.
What happens if nobody claims an open shift?
The post expires at the shift's start time and the shift stays unfilled, so keep an eye on it and refill or reassign as needed.
Does a callout automatically re-post the shift?
No — refilling is a manual step, so you stay in control of who covers the shift.