New Feature: Shift Marketplace — Let Guards Claim Open Shifts
TacDesk’s Shift Marketplace lets managers post open shifts for guards to browse and claim, with an approval workflow and push notifications.
By Michael Bryce · 11 March 2026 · 2 min read
Filling Shifts Without the Phone Calls
A guard calls in sick at 5pm. You need someone for the 10pm night shift. What follows is the familiar scramble — phone call after phone call, WhatsApp messages, favours called in. It’s stressful, time-consuming, and unreliable.
TacDesk’s new Shift Marketplace turns this process on its head. Instead of chasing guards, you post the shift and let them come to you.
How It Works
For Managers
- Mark an unassigned shift as “Open” on the rota calendar
- Optionally add details — site, special requirements, urgency
- All eligible guards receive a push notification
- Guards who want the shift submit a claim
- Manager reviews claims and approves the best candidate
- The approved guard is assigned and notified
For Guards
- Receive a notification that open shifts are available
- Browse available shifts — see site, date, time, and any requirements
- Claim shifts they’re available for
- Receive confirmation when approved
Why Guards Like It
Guards who want extra hours can actively seek them instead of waiting to be called. They can browse available shifts at their convenience, choose ones that fit their schedule, and build their income on their terms. This autonomy is consistently rated as one of the top factors in guard job satisfaction.
Why Managers Like It
The marketplace typically fills shifts faster than phone calls because it reaches all eligible guards simultaneously. Multiple guards may claim a shift, giving the manager choice rather than desperation. And the entire process is documented — no verbal agreements that get disputed later.
Approval Workflow
The marketplace isn’t a free-for-all. Managers maintain full control through the approval step. A guard claiming a shift is a request, not an assignment. Managers can consider factors like site experience, travel distance, and recent hours before approving.
Reducing No-Shows
Guards who voluntarily claim shifts are significantly less likely to no-show than guards who are assigned shifts they didn’t want. Self-selection means better attendance and better attitudes.
The Shift Marketplace is available on TacDesk Professional and Enterprise plans. Try the demo to see the marketplace from both manager and guard perspectives.
Related Articles
- → Night Shift Security: Managing Guards Who Work When You Sleep
- → Night Shift Management: Keeping Security Guards Safe and Alert
- → New Feature: Recurring Shifts — Set It and Forget It Scheduling
- → Security Guard Scheduling: How to Build Rotas That Actually Work
See how guard scheduling works · Book a free demo · View pricing
Michael Bryce
Founder of TacDesk. Writes about SIA compliance, operations, and running a UK security company — from someone who actually works the shifts.
Connect on LinkedIn →See TacDesk in action
Win tenders, pass SIA audits, and run your whole operation from one place. Book a free 30-minute demo.
Book a Free DemoRelated reading
SIA Licence Expiry: How to Manage Renewals Across a Security Workforce
A single expired SIA licence on a live deployment is a criminal offence. Here is how to track and manage licence renewals across your entire security workforce — without relying on spreadsheets.
Event Security Management: Planning, Staffing, and Compliance in the UK
Event security is one of the most operationally demanding specialisms in UK security. This guide covers the planning, staffing, compliance, and operational management requirements for event security work.
The Hidden Costs of Manual Guard Scheduling — and How to Eliminate Them
If you’re managing a team of security guards on spreadsheets and WhatsApp, you’re likely paying a steep price for it. Here’s what manual scheduling really costs — and how modern guard management software changes the equation.