# How to accept or decline a shift

**For:** Shift worker
**You'll need:** A published, upcoming shift assigned to you, and a company that asks for shift acceptance (your manager will know).

Some companies ask you to **accept or decline** each shift they assign you — you're telling your manager whether you'll be there. If yours does, every published shift you're on shows a short response box until you answer.

## Respond to a shift

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:::{tab-item} Web
:sync: web

1. Open the shift — tap it on your {doc}`schedule <view-your-schedule>` or in your {doc}`shifts list <view-your-shifts-list>`.
2. Find the **'Your response'** box. It shows your current answer — **'Pending'** until you reply.
3. Click **'Accept'** if you'll work it, or **'Decline'** if you can't.

Your answer is saved straight away and the badge changes to **'Accepted'** or **'Declined'**.
:::

:::{tab-item} Mobile app
:sync: mobile

1. Tap **Shifts** in the bottom bar and tap the shift — the **'Next shift'** card, or a row under **'Upcoming'**.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the shift detail, past **'Team on this shift'**.
3. Tap **'Accept'** if you'll work it, or **'Decline'** if you can't.

A plain decline asks you to confirm first. Your answer is saved straight away and the shift's status badge changes from **'Pending'** to **'Accepted'** or **'Declined'**.
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## Give a reason when you decline

The **'Decline reason'** box is usually optional — a short note helps your manager fill the gap. If your company **requires** a reason, the **'Decline'** button stays greyed out until you type one. Reasons are limited to 300 characters.

```{note}
When you decline, your manager is notified so they can find cover. They see that you declined and your reason; the rest of the team doesn't.
```

## Recurring shifts: choose how far it applies

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:::{tab-item} Web
:sync: web

If the shift repeats, you'll also see an **'Apply to'** picker before the buttons:

- **'This occurrence only'** — just this one date.
- **'This and following'** — this date and every later repeat.
- **'All occurrences'** — every repeat in the series.

Your answer is written to the occurrences you pick (future ones only).
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:::{tab-item} Mobile app
:sync: mobile

If the shift is part of a repeating series, tapping **'Decline'** opens an **'Apply changes to'** sheet first:

- **'This occurrence only'** — just this one date.
- **'This and following'** — this date and every later repeat.
- **'Entire series'** — every repeat in the series.

Your answer is written to the occurrences you pick (future ones only). **'Accept'** always applies to the one occurrence you opened — there's no scope chooser on accepting.
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## Change your mind

You can switch between Accept and Decline any time **before the shift starts**. Once it has started — or once your manager has approved your hours — the response box disappears and the answer is locked. If something changes after that, message your manager.

## General events (Going / Maybe)

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:::{tab-item} Web
:sync: web

For a company event or meeting (not a normal shift), the same box appears as an RSVP. Click **'Going'** to confirm. If the event is marked optional, you'll also get a **'Maybe'** choice for when you're not sure yet.
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:::{tab-item} Mobile app
:sync: mobile

1. Tap **Shifts** in the bottom bar. Events you need to answer sit in the **'Upcoming'** list with an **'Event'** tag (and **'Required'** when attendance is mandatory).
2. Tap the event.
3. At the bottom, tap **'Going'**, **'Maybe'**, or **'Not going'**.

**'Maybe'** only appears when the event is marked optional. If your company requires a reason for declining, tapping **'Not going'** opens a **'Reason for declining'** sheet first.
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## Verify it worked

Reopen the shift. The **'Your response'** badge shows **'Accepted'**, **'Declined'**, or (for an optional event) **'Maybe'** — matching what you picked.

## Related

- {doc}`view-your-schedule`
- {doc}`view-your-shifts-list`
- {doc}`offer-a-shift`
- {doc}`/settings-and-admin/company-settings/shift-acceptance`