How do I decline a shift request?

In Platform for Care, you have full control over your schedule. If you receive a notification for a shift vacancy or a direct shift invitation that you cannot fulfill due to personal commitments, fatigue, or other work, you should formally decline the request. Declining promptly allows the rostering team to offer the shift to another qualified staff member, ensuring the client’s care is not interrupted.

1. Locating the Shift Request

When a coordinator invites you to a shift, you will receive an alert. You can access these requests in two ways:

• Push Notification: Tap the alert on your mobile device to open the shift details immediately.
• The Vacancy List: Open the Platform for Care app, navigate to the main menu, and select Vacancies or Shift Invitations.

2. Reviewing Before Declining

Before you "say no," it is a good practice to review the shift details to ensure you aren't missing an opportunity that might actually fit your schedule.

1. Check the Start and End Times.
2. Review the Service Location.
3. View the Client Initials/Service Type to see the nature of the work.

If the shift overlaps with a doctor's appointment, another job, or your designated rest period, proceed to decline.

3. The Decline Process

Declining a shift is a simple, one-step process that immediately updates the system.

1. Open the specific Shift Invitation.
2. Locate the Decline or Not Interested button (usually highlighted in red).
3. Confirm the Action: Some versions of the app may ask for a reason for declining (e.g., "Already working," "Personal commitment," or "Too far to travel"). Select the most relevant reason if prompted.
4. Submit: Once you tap decline, the request will disappear from your vacancy list.

4. What happens after I decline?

• No Penalty: Declining a shift vacancy does not negatively impact your employment; it simply informs the system that you are unavailable for that specific window.
• Coordinator Notification: The rostering manager is notified that you have declined, allowing them to instantly see who else is available to fill the gap.
• Roster Accuracy: Because you declined, the system will not "pencil you in" or accidentally include you in communication regarding that specific shift.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• Accidental Decline: If you accidentally decline a shift you actually wanted to work, you cannot "undo" this in the app. You must contact your coordinator immediately to see if the shift is still available so they can manually re-assign it to you.
• Stop Future Requests: If you are consistently receiving requests for times you can never work (e.g., every Tuesday morning), remember to update your Weekly Availability so the system stops sending you those specific invitations.
• Vanishing Requests: If a shift request disappears before you can decline it, it likely means another staff member accepted it or the manager filled the position.