Overview
Shiftlab uses shift coloring to help managers quickly identify the busiest and slowest shifts of the week. These visual indicators make it easier to assign the right employees to the right times — whether you need your top performers during peak hours or want to schedule operational tasks during slower periods.
When to Use This
Use shift colors to:
Quickly identify high-traffic (busy) or low-traffic (slow) shifts
Reward strong performers with high-opportunity shifts
Assign administrative or operational tasks during slow times
Adjust staffing levels based on forecasted activity
Improve schedule quality and labor efficiency
Step-by-Step Instructions
Video Instructions
1. View Shift Colors on the Schedule
When reviewing your weekly schedule, each shift will display a color that reflects expected forecasted workload relative to staffing.
2. Interpret the Shift Colors
Shift colors correspond to workload intensity:
Dark Green (Top 20% busiest shifts):
These are the highest-traffic periods of the week.
Example:Saturday is forecasted for 10 sales with 3 people scheduled → ~3–4 customers each.
Sunday is forecasted for 6 sales with only 1 person scheduled → that employee handles all 6.
The Sunday shift is dark green because workload per person is higher.
Light Green (Middle 60% of shifts):
These are average workload shifts with moderate traffic.Yellow (Bottom 20% slowest shifts):
These are low-traffic shifts, ideal for catching up on tasks or reducing labor hours.
3. Adjust the Schedule as Needed
Use color insights to:
Rebalance staffing
Add or remove labor
Assign duties appropriately
Ensure coverage during peak demand
Key Definitions
Shift Coloring: A visual indicator that ranks shifts based on forecasted customer activity relative to staffing.
Shift Color Definitions
Dark Green (Busiest Shifts)
Represents the highest-demand periods of the week.
Example: If Saturday is forecasted for 10 items sold with 3 people scheduled, each person handles about 3 items. If Sunday is forecasted for 6 items with only 1 person scheduled, that shift is marked dark green because the workload per person is significantly higher.
Light Green (Moderate Shifts)
Represents average-demand periods.
These shifts are neither the busiest nor the slowest.
Yellow (Slowest Shifts)
Represents the lowest-demand periods of the week.
Suitable for training, operational activities, or reducing scheduled hours.
Tips for Success
Use dark green shifts to place your most efficient or high-performing employees.
Reserve yellow shifts for training, operations, or labor-saving adjustments.
Monitor how shift colors change week to week as forecasts update.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why does a shift look busy when overall forecasted demand seems low?
Shift colors are based on workload per employee, not total demand. A shift with fewer customers but only one employee assigned may still be considered busy.
Can I change the shift colors?
No. Colors are generated automatically based on forecasted workload.
Why do some shifts have no color?
A shift may have no color if insufficient forecast data is available.
Related Articles
Forecasting and Labor Demand
Assigning Shifts to Employees
Schedule Optimization Tools