How to build a staff rota in one afternoon
A staff rota that people trust starts with demand, not names. Plan the week in five steps, from busy hours to the final check.
The Fernhour Blog
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New in Fernhour, staff availability set by the team
Staff availability is now in the Fernhour app. Each person marks the hours they cannot work, so you plan the rota from facts, not texts.
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New in Fernhour, open shifts the team can claim
Post gaps on the rota as open shifts. Everyone who can work one sees it, the first person to claim it gets it, and you approve with one tap.
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Plan rest breaks into the rota from the start
Rest breaks planned on the day get skipped. Put them on the rota when you build it, and check the rest between shifts too.
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Write a shift swap policy your team will follow
A shift swap policy fits on one page. It says who can swap, how to ask and who approves, so swaps stay fair and the rota stays right.
More posts
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How to cover a sick call before opening time
A sick call at six in the morning is stressful. A short cover list and a fair order of asking turn it into a two-minute job.
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Fixed shifts or rotating shifts for a small team
Fixed shifts give people a steady life. Rotating shifts share the hard hours. Compare the two and pick the pattern that suits your team.
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Spreadsheet rota or scheduling app for a small team
A spreadsheet rota costs nothing and suits a tiny team. A scheduling app saves time once people swap shifts. Here is how to tell which you need.
Set up your first rota in one sitting.