PUBLIC HOLIDAYS / FAIRNESS / COVERAGE
Allocate public holiday shifts with the exception in view.
A public holiday can change opening hours, demand and what people can work. Make the exception explicit, then use a consistent rule for coverage and rotation.
A four-step holiday allocation method
Confirm opening hours, demand and required roles for the holiday.
Do not copy an ordinary weekday before checking what the holiday actually requires.
Collect who is available, unavailable or willing to work the exception.
Keep a firm unavailability separate from a preference or willingness request.
Review recent holiday assignments and the coverage trade-offs.
A short history helps avoid repeatedly assigning the same people the exception.
Publish the holiday rota early, with the next change or review point clear.
Early notice gives the team time to ask questions and request an approved change.
Check the holiday period before publishing
Use the coverage calculator for each affected period and the fair scheduling guide when the available options compete.
Read the public holiday planning guide → · Publishing guide →
Useful for local calendars
Teams working across Japan, the UK, the US or multiple sites may have different public holidays and opening rules. Keep the local date, location and owner decision visible rather than assuming one calendar applies to everyone.
Keep exceptions connected to the rota
Shift Helper is being designed to keep availability, holiday exceptions, coverage review and the published schedule connected for small teams.