This article was created on November 12, 2025.
How to make your shift available
If you get scheduled on a day when you can't work, you may be able to get a coworker to pick it up for you so you're no longer responsible for working that shift.
From the web:
To make your shift available for others to pick up, click on the shift to open the details. Then, click on the options menu (3 dots) at the bottom and select Make shift available.
From the mobile app:
Go to the Shifts tab and locate the shift in the list. Tap it to open the details.
From the shift details screen, tap the options button (3 dots) at the top right and choose Make shift available.
You'll get a confirmation message showing that the shift is now available for pickup.
Once your shift is made available, Sling will send out a notification to anyone else assigned to the same location and position as the shift so they have a chance to apply for it and take it over for you.
Whether you make your shift available from the web or the app, please keep in mind that you are still responsible for the shift until someone else takes it and/or a manager approves the swap.
How to apply for an available shift
If your company allows shift exchanges, you may have a chance to pick up extra hours. Available shifts can be posted by your management or a coworker may make a shift available if they can't or don't want to work it.
From the web:
There are a few places where you can apply for an available shift.
When you first log into your account, you should land on the Dashboard. Any available shift notifications that are still active will be listed there along with the option to apply.
If more than one available shift was published at the same time, you might also see a notification like this:
In that case, you would click the notification, which will open a window where you can switch between the shifts and apply for any you'd like.
To review available shifts from the calendar, go to the Schedule tab. Employees should land on the My Schedule tab, which shows any assigned shifts as well as available shifts.
You can also click the Available Shifts tab to see a list.
To apply for an Available shift, click on one to open the details, then click the Apply for shift button at the top right.
You'll get confirmation of your application, and depending on your company's settings, you may or may not need to wait for approval from a manager.
If you want to review the shifts you've applied for, you can check by looking for those that show your initials at the right of a shift block (visible from any tab where available shifts are displayed).
From the mobile app:
Go to the Shifts tab and tap the Available tab at the top right to see a list of available shifts. Tap the shift you'd like to apply for to open the details.
Next, click on the options menu (3 dots) in the top right corner. You’ll see an option to apply for the shift there.
You'll get confirmation that you have successfully applied and are waiting for a manager's approval. If your company has automatic approval enabled, the shift will be assigned to you immediately.
How you will be notified that there are available shifts
Any time there is an available shift posted for your position and location, you will automatically get a notification in your Dashboard.
If you're not receiving notifications of available shifts, check with your admin or manager to make sure all applicable positions and locations are assigned to you.
Also, to be sure you are getting these alerts, make sure you have enabled Dashboard notifications via email or push.
How to cancel a shift application
If you have applied for an available shift that you are not able to work, then you can cancel your application if a manager has not yet approved it.
From the web:
Click on the available shift you applied for in the schedule, and you'll see the option to retract your application:
If you've already been approved for the shift, then you may either have the option to make the shift available, in which case you'll still be responsible for it until someone else takes it over.
If you do not have the option to make the shift available once it's been assigned to you, then you will need to contact your manager directly to let them know you cannot work the shift.
From the mobile app:
Go to Shifts, then navigate to the Available tab. Tap on the shift for which you'd like to retract your application.
Tap the 3-dot option near the upper right corner, then tap "Retract application."
How to swap a shift
If you find that you can't work a shift, but don't want to lose hours for the week, you might consider swapping shifts with one of your coworkers.
It's important to note that a shift swap is limited to swapping your shift with that of a coworker whose shift is within 2 weeks of the date you are offering. Manager approval of shift swaps can occur at any time.
From the web:
Click the shift you want to give up to open its details, then click the options button (3 dots) and choose Swap shift.
Next, choose the employee you'd like to exchange shifts with. The list will show employees who have an assigned shift for the same position first. You can also choose another employee who has a shift for a different position if you are eligible to work multiple positions.
Once you select an employee, you will see a list of their assigned shifts. Choose the shift you'd like to pick up in exchange for yours and click Initiate swap.
You'll get confirmation that a notification was sent to the employee for consideration.
On the other employee's end, they will get a notification of the shift swap offer. To review the details of the swap, click the notification.
This will show the details of the shift being offered and the shift being taken so you can decide whether to accept or reject the swap.
If you accept it, the swap will then be sent to a manager for approval (if required by your account admin). If you reject it, the employee who initiated the swap is notified, and both your schedules remain unchanged.
Once the swap is completed and/or approved, both employees will be notified, and the shifts will be reassigned.
From the mobile app:
Go to the Shifts tab, look at your own schedule, and tap the shift you would like to swap.
Once you're looking at the shift details, tap the options button (3 dots) at the top right corner of your screen, then tap Swap shift.
Next, tap the name of the employee you would like to offer your shift to.
This will bring up a list of any shifts assigned to that employee that are eligible for swap with the one you've offered. Tap one to select it, then tap Send at the top right corner.
You'll get confirmation that a swap has been started and a reminder that you are still responsible for the shift until the other employee accepts the swap.
How to offer your shift to a coworker
If you have made arrangements for someone else to take your shift, you can offer it to them in Sling and avoid another employee grabbing it before they have a chance to.
From the web:
Click the shift you want to offer, then click the options menu (3 dots) and choose Offer shift.
You'll get a prompt to choose the employee who will receive the offer.
Click Offer, and the employee you choose will receive a notification to accept or reject the shift.
From the mobile app:
Go to the shifts tab, then find the shift you want to offer in the list and tap it to open the details.
Next, tap the options button at the top right corner and choose Offer shift.
The next screen will bring up the employee list. You can choose one from the list or type someone's name in the search box at the top.
Once you've chosen someone, you'll get confirmation that they have been sent a notification of the offer.
They will have the option to accept it or reject the shift. Your manager may also require approval for the swap, so keep in mind that the shift is still your responsibility until the exchange is approved.