Note: From October 1st, 2025, we introduced new plans that better reflect how our customers use Deputy: Lite, Core, and Pro. If you're an existing customer, look out for an email with all the details you’ll need. Learn more about the new plans and what this change means for you .

Note: Some features or functions mentioned in this article may not yet be visible in your account. These updates are being gradually rolled out and will be available on relevant plans soon.

What are custom shift fields?

Custom shift fields are additional fields you can add to shifts for internal business purposes.

Note:

This is an advanced feature and must be enabled for your Deputy account before System Administrators can configure it. Please contact your main Deputy contact or Deputy Support to enable this feature.
Custom shift fields are only supported on the Deputy website. They are not available on the Deputy mobile apps, Deputy Kiosk for iPad, Deputy Time Clock for Android, or Deputy Web Time Clocks.

How can custom shift fields be used?

Custom shift fields can be tailored to suit your business needs. Common examples include:

Mapping between other systems

If you integrate Deputy shift data with other systems, custom shift fields can provide additional context or act as a shared mapping field.

Saving additional information against a shift

If scheduling managers need to record additional details, a custom shift field can be used to capture that information.

How to set up custom shift fields

Note: This feature must be enabled before setup. Contact your Deputy representative or Deputy Support if required.

1. Log in to the Deputy website. Select Business Settings from the menu under your name.

Business Settings menu

2. On the Scheduling tab, click Shift custom fields.

3. Click New Custom Field.

New Custom Field

4. Set the Custom field type to Schedule and toggle Active to ON.

Custom Field Setup

5. Complete the remaining fields according to your business needs and select Save This Custom Field.

Custom Field Configuration

Field	Guidance
Custom field type	Select Schedule.
Active	Set to ON to activate the field.
Field name	Enter a name for the custom shift field.
Type of field	Options include: Text Multi-select List Boolean
Validation	Choose whether the field is mandatory.
Default value	Separate multiple values with commas.
Visible	Choose whether managers can see this field.
Visible to team member	Choose whether team members can see this field in shift details. Note: If enabled, employees will see this field when viewing or selecting shifts on any supported device.
Areas	Select the Locations or Areas where this field applies. If no location is selected, the field does not apply. Selecting a location applies it to all areas within that location. Select individual areas to limit application.
Sort order	Controls display order (lowest number first).
API name	Required for third-party integrations. Automatically generated after entering the field name.

6. Once created, the custom shift field will appear in the Add Shift popup for applicable areas.

Shift Popup

7. If "Visible to team member" is enabled, a people icon appears when scheduling to indicate visibility. and the team member will be able to view this on the schedule and when starting or ending their shift.

FAQs

How do custom shift fields differ from custom timesheet fields?

Custom shift fields are completed by the scheduling manager.

Custom timesheet fields create shift questions displayed when an employee clocks in, clocks out, or during a shift. These can be used to capture information such as:

An employee’s health status
Reasons for differences between scheduled and worked hours
Kilometres or miles travelled
Tips earned during a shift

Custom timesheet fields can also prevent employees from clocking in or notify managers based on responses.

Shift questions appear when clocking in via the Deputy website, mobile apps, Deputy Kiosk for iPad, and Deputy Time Clock for Android.