How to transfer your shift to another Pro
Sometimes you can't make it to a shift you've booked. Instead of canceling, you can transfer your change to another eligible Pro. This article explains how shift transfers work, their limitations, and troubleshooting tips.
What is a shift transfer?
A shift transfer lets you ask another Instawork Pro to cover your shift without counting as a cancellation for you. This helps you maintain your reliability score while ensuring the business still gets the help it needs.
Eligible Pros must meet certain criteria, such as having a verified account, being qualified for the specific position, and meeting any specific requirements, like certifications or experience levels, and other professionals have no conflicting schedules on the same day for the shift transfer.
To successfully transfer a shift:
The other pro must be:
- Active on Instawork
- They're available during that time slot
- They meet all requirements for the shift, including:
Approved for the position type
No overlapping shifts — each shift must be separated from any other by at least 90 minutes.
Make sure the other Pro is not blocked by the business or Partner.
Please ensure the shift:
- Is not restricted by the partner to "requested pros only."
- Is not limited to "top pros."
- Is not a long-term shift and cannot be transferred.
Note: Additionally, timing is critical, as shifts starting within the next 12 hours cannot be transferred. You're still responsible for the shift until you confirm that the transfer was successful.
How to transfer your shift
1. Open the Instawork app
2. Go to the "My Shifts" section
3. Find and tap on the shift you need covered
4. Tap "I can't make it"
5. Select "Get shift covered"
6. Enter your friend's name and phone number or select them from your contacts
7. Tap "Send request"
[Placeholder: screenshot of shift transfer screen — shows the transfer request form with contact selection]
Shift transfer limits
There are limits to how many shifts you can transfer:
- You can transfer up to 3 shifts every 30 days
- The app will show you how many transfers you've used and have remaining
- Once you reach your limit, you'll need to wait until 30 days after your last transfer
- After reaching the limit, you can only unlock one transfer at a time in a rolling 30-day period
Why a Pro might not be able to accept your shift, or why you cannot accept a transferred shift
If your transfer request is unsuccessful, it could be because of the following:
Position requirements:
The Pro isn't approved for this type of position
The shift requires a specific Pro level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum)
The shift is for requested Pros only
Timing and availability:
For same-day shifts, there must be at least 90 minutes before the shift starts
The Pro's schedule conflicts with the shift time
Account status:
The Pro's account isn't active
The Pro's reliability score or quality ratings don't qualify
The Pro is blocked by the business or Partner
Shift type:
The shift is a long-term shift, which can't be transferred
Unfortunately, Instawork cannot manually transfer shifts that don't meet the eligibility requirements. If possible, review the recipient's qualifications before sending a transfer request.
What to do if the transfer isn't possible
If you can't transfer your shift, review the recipient's qualifications, encourage profile updates to meet requirements, and confirm their account activity.
1. Consider if you can still work the shift
2. If not, you may need to cancel properly through the app
3. Remember that cancellations may affect your reliability score
Tips for successful transfers
- Send transfer requests as early as possible
- Make sure the Pro you're asking meets the job requirements
- Please have a backup Pro available in case the other Pro can't accept the shift
- Keep track of your transfer limit to avoid surprises
If you have any questions about shift transfers, please contact our support team through the app.