🎯 Why Sling Unavailability Matters. How to Use It & What We Expect

Our business depends on having photographers available on key high-traffic time slots:

• Monday - Thursday evenings (6-10pm usually depends on the location) 

• Friday afternoon (12-5pm) / evening (5-11pm)

• Saturday (1-11pm)

• Sunday (1-8:30pm)

• Holidays (1-8:30pm)

These are the days when restaurants are busiest and when you can earn the most sales and tips 💰. We understand that exceptions happen (family events, exams, travel, etc.). To keep scheduling fair and organized, you must use Sling Unavailability to tell us clearly when you cannot work on those days.

If your unavailability is properly entered in Sling:
✅ We know you’re not available
✅ You won’t be scheduled for that time
✅ There is no misunderstanding later

⏱️ Deadline: When to Enter Your Unavailability

To help us build the schedule in time: Unavailability for next week must be entered in Sling no later than Wednesday of the previous week.

If you submit it after Wednesday, we might already have the schedule done, and:

• You may still appear on the schedule for that day

• We may not be able to remove you

• It may count as a missed shift if you don’t show up

📌 Important Rules About Unavailability

To keep things fair for everyone, please follow these rules:

• 🟢 Key days are still required

  • Our default expectation: you are available on Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays

  • Use unavailability only when you truly cannot work

• 🕓 Respect the deadline

  • Unavailability for next week must be in before Wednesday of the previous week

• 🚫 Do not block all key days regularly

  • Entering unavailability for every Friday evening, every Saturday, and every Sunday is not acceptable long-term

  • If your life situation changes and you can’t work weekends at all, talk to management – we may need to review whether this position still fits you

• ✅ Use unavailability for real conflicts
  Examples of good reasons:

  • Exam or school-related activity 🎓

  • Pre-booked travel ✈️

  • Important family event 👨‍👩‍👧

  • Medical appointment 🏥

• ❌ Do not use unavailability because:

  • You “just don’t feel like working” that day

  • You’d rather go to a party 🥳

  • You hope for a “light week” with fewer shifts

🧠 Good vs Not-Good Unavailability Examples

👍 Good example:

“Next Sunday I have a family event all day.”

• Enter unavailability for Sunday – All Day in Sling before Wednesday.
  
  

👍 Good example:

“I have a weekly class Friday 4–7 PM.”

• Enter recurring unavailability for Fridays 4–7 PM.

• You may still be scheduled after 7 PM if the restaurant needs late coverage.
  
  

👎 Not-good example:

Entering unavailability for every Friday evening + every Saturday + every Sunday with no explanation.

• This conflicts with the basic job requirement.
  
  

👎 Not-good example:

Adding unavailability Friday night on Thursday or after schedule is posted.

• This is late and may not be accepted.

⚠️ Last-Minute Changes & Emergencies

We understand real emergencies can happen:

• Sudden illness 🤒

• Accident 🚑

• Urgent family issue ⚠️
  
  

In those rare cases:
1️⃣ Inform the management in WhatsApp immediately
2️⃣ Explain the situation clearly
3️⃣ Find a photographer who will cover your shift OR provide a document confirming an emergency case that prevents you from working confirmed shift (e.g., a note from a doctor etc).

Repeated last-minute cancellations or “emergencies” might still affect your reliability and future scheduling.

📋 What We Expect From Every Photographer

By joining the team, you agree to:

• 🟢 Be available for Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays by default

• 🕓 Enter any needed unavailability before Wednesday of the previous week

• 📱 Keep your unavailability in Sling correct and up to date

• 🤝 Communicate early and honestly if something changes

📋 No Show Counts in Sling

If a photographer cancels confirmed shift and does not find coverage, that shift will be marked as No Show in Sling. The number of No Show shifts will be counted for the whole year for each photographer. We keep track of this because every shift is important for our team, our restaurants, and our guests 📸🍽️ When a shift is not covered, it affects restaurant relationships, team planning, and opportunities for everyone. Photographers who are reliable, always work their shifts, show up on time, show great performance and help protect our restaurant coverage will be considered first for more shifts and better opportunities ⭐ We won't be able to work with a photographer who has repeated No Show shifts! Please be responsible with your schedule, communicate early, and always find coverage if you cannot work your confirmed shift 🙏

✅ Quick Checklist – Sling Unavailability

Before each week:
☑️ Check your personal plans
☑️ Enter any unavailability into Sling before Wednesday
☑️ Confirm it shows correctly in the app
☑️ After schedule is published, review and confirm your shifts

Following these steps helps us make fair schedules, keep restaurants covered, and give you the best chance to work profitable, high-traffic shifts 📸💰