How-to guide

How to make a weekly staff rota

A good rota covers every shift, doesn't double-book anyone and keeps hours fair. Building one from scratch each week is slow - starting from last week's is quicker.

Published 8 Nov 20264 min readBy metre2

Quick answer

Lay out staff against days, add the shifts, check for clashes and hours, then copy the week forward. Open the Metre2 Shift Rota Planner in your browser - it's free for 15 days, then a one-off price, and nothing you type is uploaded.

Set up your shifts

Define your usual shifts - early, late, night - with start and end times, so adding them is one click.

Staff against days

A grid with staff down the side and days across the top shows the whole week at once, and gaps stand out.

Check for clashes

Watch for anyone booked twice, and for overnight shifts that run into the next day's early start.

Hours against target

Compare each person's weekly hours with their contract or target, so nobody is over- or under-scheduled.

Copy the week forward

Start next week from this week, then change what's different.

Do it in the Metre2 Shift Rota Planner - 15 days free in your browser, or as a Windows app.

Use it in your browser - free, no sign-up Get the Windows app More about Shift Rota Planner

Common mistakes

Forgetting overnight shifts that overlap the next morning.
Not tracking weekly hours per person.
Rebuilding the rota from nothing every week.

Frequently asked questions

Can I print the rota?

Yes - print it or export it as a CSV.

Where is it saved?

In your browser on that device. Nothing is uploaded.