# How to set shift-swap rules

**For:** Admin
**You'll need:** Owner or Admin role.

You'll turn shift swaps on and set the rules: which kinds of swap are allowed, who qualifies, how far ahead they have to be posted, and when a manager has to sign off.

## Open the settings

1. Open the account dropdown (top-right) and click **'Settings'**.
2. In the right column, find the **'Swaps'** section.

## Turn swaps on

Tick **'Enable shift swaps'**. The rest of the settings only matter once this is on.

## Choose which swaps are allowed

- **'Allow give-aways'** — workers can hand a shift to someone else with nothing in return.
- **'Allow 1:1 swaps'** — workers can trade shifts with each other.
- **'Allow cross-location swaps'** — when off, both shifts must be at the same location. Position and location qualification always applies either way.

## Decide who qualifies

Set **'Swap eligibility'**:

- **'Role only'** — anyone with the right position at the right location can take the shift.
- **'Role + skills/certifications'** — they must also hold the same skills the original shift requires.

## Set the timing rules

- **'Minimum hours before shift'** — how far ahead a swap has to be posted. Workers can't offer a shift starting sooner than this.
- **'Auto-reject minutes before shift start'** — open offers no one has taken are automatically rejected this many minutes before the shift begins, so nothing dangles unfilled.

## Set the approval rules

- **'Require manager approval'** — when on, a manager signs off before any swap takes effect.
- **'Approval cutoff (hours before shift)'** — optional. When set, only swaps starting within this many hours need approval; ones further out approve automatically. Leave blank to always require approval. This only applies when approval is on.

## Set the overtime rule

**'Overtime behavior'** decides what happens when a swap would push the receiving worker over their work-rule limits:

- **'Warn only — manager decides'** — flag it, but allow it.
- **'Block application'** — stop the worker from applying.
- **'Block approval'** — let them apply, but block the manager's approval.

## Save

Click **'Save'**.

## Verify it worked

Open a worker's upcoming shift — the **'Offer for swap'** button now appears (when the shift is far enough out), and **'Swap marketplace'** shows under the Planning menu.

## Related

- {doc}`/for-shift-workers/offer-a-shift-for-swap`
- {doc}`/plan-schedules/swaps/index`
- {doc}`/set-up-your-company/people/index`