Coverage Requirements
Define minimum staffing levels for each time period to ensure you always have adequate coverage.
What Are Coverage Requirements?
Coverage requirements define the minimum number of employees you need working during each time slot. SimpleStaff uses these to:
- Show coverage status visually on the schedule (green/yellow/red)
- Alert you when coverage is below minimum
- Guide AI scheduling to meet staffing targets
- Validate shift swaps don't leave gaps
Understanding the Coverage Display
The coverage panel shows staffing levels across your schedule:
Setting Up Coverage Requirements
- 1
Navigate to Coverage Settings
Go to Schedule Settings → Coverage
- 2
Choose Your Setup Method
Simple Mode
Set one requirement for the whole day, same every day
Time-Based Mode
Different requirements for different times (morning, lunch, evening)
Advanced Mode
Full control: different requirements by day, time, and position
- 3
Define Time Slots
Click "+ Add Time Slot" and set start/end times. Common patterns:
Restaurant: 11am-2pm (lunch rush), 5pm-9pm (dinner rush)Retail: 10am-12pm, 12pm-5pm, 5pm-9pm24/7 Operation: Morning, Day, Evening, Night shifts - 4
Set Staffing Levels
For each time slot, specify:
Field Description Minimum Required staff (red if below) Ideal Preferred staffing level (optional) Maximum Cap to prevent overstaffing (optional) - 5
Save and Apply
Click Save. Coverage indicators will appear on your schedule.
Position-Based Coverage
Need different staffing levels for different positions? Set up position-based coverage:
Example: Restaurant Coverage
| Position | Lunch (11-2) | Dinner (5-9) |
|---|---|---|
| Server | 3 min | 5 min |
| Cook | 2 min | 3 min |
| Host | 1 min | 2 min |
| Busser | 1 min | 2 min |
To enable: Go to Schedule Settings → Coverage → Enable Position-Based Coverage
Day-Specific Coverage
Different days often have different needs. Set varying requirements by day of week:
| Time Slot | Mon-Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Afternoon | 4 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Evening | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Coverage Alerts
Get notified when coverage falls below minimum:
Email Alerts
Daily summary of coverage gaps
Push Notifications
Instant alerts for critical gaps
Block Understaffed Publishing
Warn before publishing with gaps
Pro Tips
Review Historical Data
Use past sales or foot traffic data to inform your coverage requirements.
Buffer Time
Add overlap time between shifts to ensure smooth handoffs.
Seasonal Adjustments
Create separate coverage profiles for busy and slow seasons.
Related Articles
Need help setting up coverage?
Contact Support