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Facility Shift Cancellation & Being Sent Home Early

Shiftmed Care Team Leadership avatar
Written by Shiftmed Care Team Leadership
Updated over 2 weeks ago

We understand cancelled shifts can be frustrating. While we work to reduce them, they can still occur. Here’s why cancellations happen, what you can do, and how pay works if you’re cancelled or sent home early.


Why Shifts Get Cancelled

  • Facility Staff Picks Up: The facility’s own employees take the shift.

  • Census Changes: Patient numbers change, reducing staffing needs.

  • Another Agency Fills First: Another agency books the shift before you do.


What Happens if You’re Cancelled

  • You can claim another shift right away.

  • Look for facilities with a Low Cancel Rate badge in the shift feed or shift details.

  • Rebook Feature: If your shift is cancelled 45+ minutes before start, we’ll text you a link to up to 3 similar shifts you can claim instantly.

Please note: If you arrive more than 16 minutes late for a shift, unless otherwise required by state law, you may forfeit the requirement for the facility to have to provide cancellation pay if they decide to send you home from a shift and be marked as a no call no show.


Being Sent Home Early

If you arrive at the facility and are sent home - either at the start or partway through your shift - you must notify us through the Being Sent Home feature in the app.

How to Notify Us:

  1. Go to your Shift Information screen.

  2. Tap More Options.

  3. Select I’m Being Sent Home (available 1 hour before shift start).

  4. Get the nursing supervisor’s signature if required.

  5. You must be physically at the facility when you submit this.

IF YOU FORGET to Clock in/out or to select I'm Being Sent Home, contact us via chat ASAP so we can verify and avoid payment process delays.


Shift Payout When Cancelled or Sent Home Early

To determine if your shift is eligible for payout, you must check the Facility Cancellation Policy in the app. This is located under the Shift Details section. If the app states the following:

  • No late cancel payment for cancelled shifts: You will NOT get paid if sent home early or cancelled.

  • If the facility cancels your shift with X hours of the scheduled start time, you will receive compensation equivalent to X hours of work: You will get paid based on facility cancellation policy.

  • Guaranteed Shift: If on time and sent home, you’re paid for the full shift. Late arrival forfeits this guarantee.

If cancellation pay applies, it will be included in your paycheck for that pay period. Next Day Pay® and ShiftMed Instant Pay™ are NOT available in these situations.

Special Considerations for Payouts:

  • If you are in the state of Massachusetts, you will be paid for 3 hours at the shift rate.

  • If you are in the state of California, you will be paid for half of the shift, up to a max of 4 hours. For example, if it was a 12 hour shift, you will be paid for 4 hours.


Questions?

If you have any questions, reach out to us in chat by going into the ShiftMed App > Menu > Help Center > Chat & Help Articles > Ask a Question!

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