Adding steps to a flow

Flow steps define how an automation flow fills open shifts. Each step specifies a filling strategy, when to run it, and the group of employees to target. By combining multiple steps, you can create a sequence of strategies that continues until the shift is filled or all steps have been completed.

Note: The fields available for a flow step depend on the selected Step type.
  1. In the Flow steps section, click the + Add step.
  2. Specify this information:
    Step Type
    Select the type of automation step to add.
    Step name
    Specify a unique name for the flow step.
    Grouping option
    Specify how Open Shift Automation groups shifts when offering them to employees. You can select from this options:
    • Single shift: Offers each open shift individually. Employees claim one shift at a time.
    • Relief block: Groups related shifts into a relief block and offers the entire block to employees.

    • Custom blocking: Groups shifts according to a custom extension script. Selecting this option displays the Extension script and Custom Parameter fields.

      Selecting this option requires you to specify an Extension script, which defines the custom logic used to group shifts. You can also provide a value in the Custom parameter field to pass optional configuration information to the script. Use this field to supply any parameters required by the extension script.

  3. In Shift selection, click + Add to specify the shifts that the flow step processes.
  4. Specify this information:
    Mode
    Specify whether the criterion includes or excludes matching shifts.
    Note: You must define at least one Include criterion.
    Condition
    Select the condition used to identify matching shifts.
    Value

    Specify the value associated with the selected condition. You can use the Clock icon to select time value.

  5. If you select Billboard as the step type, specify this additional information:
    Claim type
    Specify how employees claim the offered shifts. Select either Immediate or Bidding.

    Immediate: Assigns eligible shifts as soon as the step begins. You can configure how long the assignment window remains open, whether the step must complete before the flow advances, and whether validation warnings are automatically acknowledged.

    Bidding: Opens a bidding period which allows employees to submit bids for available shifts. You can configure the bidding window, assignment method (Auto or Manual), review options, sorting or script-based assignment logic, compliance warning handling, and whether the step must complete before the flow advances.

    Duration in hours
    Specify the number of hours to wait before moving to the next flow step.
    Duration in minutes
    Specify the additional number of minutes to wait before moving to the next flow step.
    Complete window before advancing
    Select this check box to wait until the configured duration expires before proceeding to the next flow step, even if all shifts have already been assigned.
    Auto acknowledge validation warnings
    Select this check box to automatically acknowledge validation warnings when assigning shifts.
    Billboard group(s)
    Specify the billboard group or groups where the open shifts are posted.
    Repost on no assignment
    Select this check box to repost the shifts if no employee claims them during the configured duration.
    Allow for partial block claim
    Select this check box to allow employees to claim individual shifts within a grouped block instead of claiming the entire block.
    Comment visible to employees
    Specify an optional message displayed to employees with the shift offer.
  6. If you select Broadcast as the step type, specify this additional information:
    Offer window hours
    Specify the number of hours employees have to respond to the broadcast before Open Shift Automation proceeds to the next step.
    Offer window minutes
    Specify the additional number of minutes for the offer window.
    Complete window before advancing
    Select this check box to wait until the offer window expires before proceeding to the next step, even if all shifts have already been assigned.
    Offer type
    Specify how employees can claim available shifts. Select either First come first served or Bidding.
    Auto approve compliance warnings
    Select this check box to automatically approve compliance warnings when assigning shifts during the broadcast.
    Reoffer on no assignment
    Select this check box to send the shift offer again if no employee accepts the shift during the offer window.
    Employee job must match
    Select this check box to limit the broadcast to employees whose job matches the job of the open shift.
    Employee skill must match
    Select this check box to limit the broadcast to employees who have the required skills for the open shift.
    Message
    Specify an optional message included with the broadcast notification.
    Post to available Billboard upon broadcasting
    Select this to post the shift to an available billboard when the broadcast begins.
    Mark shifts as Relief Not Found at end of flow
    Select this check box to mark an open shift with the Relief Not Found (RNF) status if the automation flow completes without filling the shift.
  7. In the Employee selection, click + Add to define employee eligibility for the broadcast.
  8. Specify the Mode, Condition, and Value used to include or exclude employees.
  9. If you select Hold as the step type, specify the Duration (Hours) and Duration (Minutes) to define the wait time before the flow proceeds to the next step.
  10. If you select RNN as the step type, no additional configuration is required.
  11. If you select Custom as the step type, specify this additional information:
    Extension script
    Specify the extension script that defines the custom processing logic.
    Custom parameters
    Click + Add to define one or more parameters passed to the extension script. Each row includes:
    • Name - The parameter name recognized by the script.
    • Value - The value passed to the script at runtime.
    • Description - An optional description of the parameter's purpose.
  12. Click Save step.