Before you read

• Target audience: This article is for users with System Administrator access.
• Plan restrictions: To check whether your plan includes custom access levels and permissions, see the Customization & Security section of our Pricing Plans.
• Feature update: Custom access levels has a new look in Business settings. This change is being gradually rolled out and will soon be available in all eligible Deputy accounts. If you're not on the new access level experience, go to Classic custom access levels and permissions (Discontinuing).
   

This article covers:

• Messaging permissions
  • Access messaging
  • Start conversation with team members outside of their location
  • Create messaging groups
  • Manage group conversation settings
• News Feed permissions
  • Add comments on posts
  • Create posts
     

Messaging permissions

These permissions control how team members communicate in direct messages and in groups within Deputy Messaging. You can define which access levels are allowed to create group chats and which team members can message others across different locations.

Tip: The Manage group settings permission helps prevent “orphaned” group chats if the original group creator leaves or changes roles. If continuity is important for your organization, we recommend allowing managers or supervisors to manage group settings.
 

 Access messaging

• If turned ON: Users can access Deputy Messaging to send and receive messages.

• If turned OFF: Users cannot send or receive new messages in Deputy Messaging. The Messaging tab will still be visible, and if they’ve used Messaging before, they can view their past conversation history, but they won’t be able to start new messages or reply to existing ones.

   

 Start conversation with team members outside of their location

Dependencies: The following permission must be manually enabled for this permission to function properly: Access messaging.

• If turned ON: Users can start a new chat with anyone in the organization, even if they work at a different location or site.

• If turned OFF: Users can only message people assigned to the same location as them.

   

 Start conversation with team members outside of their location

Dependencies: The following permission must be manually enabled for this permission to function properly: Access messaging.

• If turned ON: Users can start a new chat with anyone in the organization, even if they work at a different location or site.

• If turned OFF: Users can only message people assigned to the same location as them.

   

 Create messaging groups

Dependencies: The following permission must be manually enabled for this permission to function properly: Access messaging.

• If turned ON: Users can create group chats with multiple team members. On standard Messaging, there's a limit of 10 users per group. To create messaging groups with more than 10 team members, you'll need to subscribe to Messaging+.

• If turned OFF:  Users cannot create new group chats, only 1:1 direct messages. 

   

 Manage group conversation settings

Dependencies: The following permission must be manually enabled for this permission to function properly: Access messaging. 

• If turned ON: Users can modify group messaging settings for group chats they're part of, even if they aren't the creator of the group. 

• If turned OFF: Users are standard participants in group chats they haven't created. They cannot change modify group message settings (including adding or removing group members). 

   

News Feed permissions

These permissions control how different access levels interact with company-wide announcements in the News Feed. You can decide whether it functions as a one-way broadcast or if team member comments are allowed.

Tip: If you want to encourage staff engagement while keeping the posts focused, consider allowing all access levels to comment, but limiting post creation to manager roles.
 

 Add comments on posts

• If turned ON: Users can comment on and reply to posts made by others on the News Feed.

• If turned OFF: Users can read posts but cannot comment or leave feedback.
   

 Create posts

• If turned ON: Users can create new posts on the News Feed for the locations where they are assigned.

• If turned OFF: Users cannot start new posts, they can only view or comment on existing ones.