Purpose Statement
The Holiday Builder feature enables administrators to configure automatic assignment of Work Types or Time Off Types during recognized holidays throughout the year. This tool streamlines scheduling management by eliminating the need for manual adjustments during holiday periods, ensuring consistent application of holiday policies across all personnel. By automating these assignments, departments can reduce administrative workload and maintain accurate scheduling records while accommodating both standard and alternate holiday observances.
Background Information
- The Holiday Builder feature automates scheduling changes for holidays throughout the year
- Eliminates need for manual Work Type or Time Off Type adjustments on each holiday
- Supports both standard observed dates and alternate holiday dates
- Allows customization of holiday rules based on different assignments or departments
- Particularly useful for agencies managing complex holiday rotation schedules
Required Permissions
- Access Scheduling
- Access Setup
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
Accessing Holiday Builder
- Navigate to Scheduling Setup from the main menu
- Select Time Off Settings from the setup options
- Click on Holidays to access the Holiday Builder interface
Managing Holiday Dates
- View all Common Holidays recognized by the system
- Switch between years using the blue arrow at the top of the screen
- Click the Pencil icon next to any holiday to modify its dates
- Set both the Date Observed and Alternate Date for flexible scheduling
- Confirm changes by clicking the Checkmark when complete
Enabling/Disabling Holidays
- Use the toggle switch next to each holiday to enable or disable it
- Disabled holidays appear greyed out and won't trigger automatic assignments
- Toggle can be switched at any time without losing date configurations
Configuring Holiday Rules
- Click on Rule in the Settings Area to define assignment behaviors
- Select the Assignment that will be affected by the holiday rule
- Choose between Work Type or Time Off Type for auto-assignment
- Specify which specific Work Type or Time Off Type should be auto-assigned
- Click the Save Icon after configuring each rule
Saving Configuration
- Click Save at the top of the page after completing all holiday and rule settings
- System will confirm successful save of all configurations
- Changes take effect immediately for future scheduling periods
Best Practices
- Review and update holiday dates at the beginning of each year
- Set alternate dates for holidays that may be observed on different days (e.g., when falling on weekends)
- Create separate rules for different assignments if holiday coverage varies by department
- Test rules with a small group before applying system-wide
- Document any custom holiday rules in department SOPs for reference
- Regularly audit auto-assigned holidays to ensure accuracy
- Consider creating rules for both regular staff and overtime assignments
- Disable unused holidays to prevent confusion or incorrect assignments
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: Why aren't my holiday rules being applied automatically?
- Verify the holiday is enabled (not greyed out)
- Check that the correct Assignment is selected in the rule configuration
- Ensure the specified Work Type or Time Off Type exists and is active
- Confirm you clicked Save at the top of the page after making changes
Q: Can I create custom holidays not in the Common Holidays list?
- Contact your system administrator for custom holiday additions
- Document any agency-specific holidays needed for your department
Q: How do alternate dates work?
- Alternate dates allow flexibility when holidays fall on weekends
- System can apply rules to either the observed date or alternate date
- Useful for agencies that observe holidays on different days
Q: Can different assignments have different holiday rules?
- Yes, create separate rules for each assignment type
- Each assignment can have unique Work Type or Time Off Type auto-assignments
- Allows customization for different departments or shifts
Q: What happens to existing schedule entries when I enable a holiday rule?
- Rules apply to future scheduling periods only
- Existing schedules remain unchanged unless manually updated
- Consider timing rule changes between scheduling periods