Create a non-standard shift

If needed, you can create a non-standard shift Work period in WFM that has a definite length.. These shifts are based on a defined work rule, but then the attributes of the shift assignment are updated, so that they no longer match the selected work rule.

The system creates these shifts when you select a defined work rule from the Shift drop-down menu, but then update any of the remaining attributes for the shift, such as Activity, Duration, and Start time.

Once shifts become non-standard shifts, they are locked, and all of their shift events are locked. To unlock a shift that does not adhere to the work rule, change back the attributes to adhere again to the defined work rule.

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Before you begin

If you want to change the duration of a standard shift and want the option of selecting a standard shift that comes closest to matching the duration you want, from Tools, select Find best matched work rule. (By default, this option is disabled to optimize performance while using the Calendar.)

When this option is enabled, the system searches for the best matched standard shift and prompts you to select it. At that point, you can either select the best matched standard shift, or continue creating the non-standard shift.

When Find best matched work rule is enabled and you save the non-standard shift, it takes the system some time to find the best matched standard shift. This extra time provides you with the option to select a standard shift that comes closest to the non-standard shift you want to create. If possible, it is recommended to select standard shifts to optimize shift placement when generating the schedule.

Procedure

Select the employee for whom you want to create a non-standard shift assignment.
Select to create a non-standard shift by doing one of the following:
- Create a new shift assignment. From the Details pane, select Add, and then select Shift.
- Edit an existing shift assignment. From the schedule, double-click the shift assignment you want to edit.
From the Shift Assignment screen, from the Shift field, select the work rule you want.

By default, the Shift field is populated with the first shift work rule in the drop-down list.
Update the relevant fields to create your non-standard shift, including Activity, Start, End and Duration.

When you change the attributes of these specific fields, the work rule definition is changed (and it becomes a non-standard shift). You can still adhere to the work rule (and not create a non-standard shift) by editing the following fields only: Comment, Locked, Overtime, Extension before and Extension after.
Select Save.

One or more of the following occurs:
- If you changed the Activity field, the system saves the non-standard shift. When you generate the schedule, the system cannot move it for schedule optimization. It is locked and cannot be unlocked. The only way to unlock the shift is to change back the Activity to match the defined work rule.
- If you changed the Duration and did not manually select the option, Find best matched work rule from the Tools menu, the system saves the non-standard shift. When you generate the schedule, the system cannot move it for schedule optimization. It is locked and cannot be unlocked. The only way to unlock the shift is to change back the Duration to match the defined work rule.
- If you changed the Duration and you did manually select the option, Find best matched work rule from the Tools menu, the system searches for a standard shift that comes closest to matching the duration for your non-standard shift. After this process, it displays a message, indicating the work rule that best matches the duration of the shift you want to create.
Optional. If the system prompts you to select the best matched standard work rule, do one of the following:
- To select the best matched standard work rule instead of creating a non-standard shift, select Yes.
  
  The system saves the shift assignment according to the standard work rule definition. When you generate the schedule, the system can optimize the shift placement, as required. You can lock or unlock the shift.
- To not select the best matched standard work rule and to create the non-standard shift, select No.
  
  The system saves the shift assignment as a non-standard shift. When you generate the schedule, the system cannot move it for schedule optimization. It is locked and cannot be unlocked. The only way to unlock the shift is to change back the Duration to match the defined work rule.