How do I submit an unavailability request?

While your Weekly Availability covers your standard working pattern, there are times when personal commitments—such as a dental appointment, family event, or study—require you to block out specific dates. In Platform for Care, submitting "Unavailability" ensures rostering managers do not assign you shifts during these times, helping you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

1. Navigating to the Unavailability Tool

You can manage specific "busy" periods directly from the mobile app or the web portal.

1. Log in to the Platform for Care app.
2. Tap on the Profile icon or navigate to the Availability section.
3. Switch the view to the Calendar or Unavailability tab.

2. Adding a Specific Block of Unavailability

Use this method for "one-off" events that fall outside your usual recurring schedule.

1. Select the Date: Tap the specific day on the calendar where you have a commitment.
2. Create Entry: Click the "+" button or select Add Unavailability.
3. Define the Timeframe:
   • All Day: Check this box if you are unavailable for the entire 24-hour period.
   • Partial Day: Enter a Start Time and End Time (e.g., 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for a dental appointment).
4. Add a Reason (Optional): If required by your organisation, briefly describe the reason (e.g., "Medical appointment" or "Personal commitment").
5. Submit: Click Save. Your profile will now show as "Busy" or "Unavailable" for that specific window.

3. Recurring Unavailability (Non-Work Commitments)

If you have a regular commitment that isn't part of your "standard" hours—such as a weekly sports practice or a recurring class—you can set this to repeat.

1. Follow the steps above to set the time and date.
2. Select the Repeat or Recurring toggle.
3. Choose the frequency (e.g., Every Tuesday) and the End Date for this commitment.
4. Save the entry.

Important Rules for Unavailability

• Existing Shifts: Marking yourself as unavailable will not automatically cancel a shift that has already been assigned to you. If you are already rostered, you must follow your organisation’s standard procedure to swap or drop the shift.
• Manager Visibility: Once submitted, your unavailability is instantly visible to the rostering team. If they try to drag your name onto a shift during that time, the system will trigger a "Staff Unavailable" warning.
• Minimum Notice: Be sure to check your organisation's policy on the minimum notice required to block out time.

Troubleshooting

• Can't Edit: If an unavailability block is "greyed out," it may have been locked by an administrator because a roster has already been published for that period.
• Overlap: If you have overlapping availability and unavailability entries, the Unavailability entry will always take priority to ensure you aren't accidentally rostered.