(Updated) Assign open shifts in Microsoft Teams Shifts

Microsoft Teams Shifts introduces "Assign open shifts," enabling managers to auto-assign open shifts based on availability, time off, and scheduling rules. Rolling out worldwide from mid-June to end of August 2026, the feature is optional and allows review before publishing. No action required from users.

2026-08-05T18:21:22.957Z

<p>Updated August 5, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.&nbsp;</p><p><b>[What and Why:]</b></p><p><b>Assign open shifts</b> is a new Microsoft Teams Shifts capability that helps managers build schedules more efficiently. Managers can enter shifts that need coverage as open shifts, then use <b>Assign open shifts</b> to automatically assign those shifts within a schedule group based on employee availability, approved time off, historical scheduling patterns, and configured scheduling rules. Managers can review and adjust assignments before publishing the schedule.</p><p>This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&amp;searchterms=562535" target="_blank">562535</a>.</p> <p><b>[Rollout Schedule:]</b></p> <ul> <li>General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in&nbsp;<b>mid-June 2026</b> and is expected to complete by <b>end of August 2026 </b>(previously&nbsp;end of July).</li> </ul> <p><b>[Impact on Your Organization:]</b></p> <ul> <li><b>Who is affected:</b> Frontline managers who create or manage schedules using Microsoft Teams Shifts.</li> <li><b>Platforms/Services:</b> Microsoft Teams (Shifts) on web and desktop.</li> <li><b>What will happen:</b> <ul> <li>A new “<b>Assign open shifts</b>” button appears for users with scheduling permissions.</li> <li>Open shifts can be automatically assigned based on availability, time off, historical patterns, and scheduling rules.</li> <li>Managers can review and edit assignments before publishing.</li> <li>Using the feature is optional.</li><p>Screenshot 1: <i>Select a schedule group and review constraints from the <b>Assign Open Shifts</b> dialog:</i></p><p><img src="https://cxcs.microsoft.net/file/ccp/en-us/2a283bfd-a5d8-4d25-8c30-b50e773f8bca" style="width: 400px;" alt="user settings"></p><p>Screenshot 2: <i>A schedule has been successfully generated:</i></p><p><img src="https://cxcs.microsoft.net/file/ccp/en-us/339afc52-08b0-4774-8632-ee45444960aa" style="width: 400px;" alt="user settings"></p> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><b>[Action Required / Recommendations:]</b><br> </p><ul><li>No action is required. </li><li>Admins may choose to share documentation and update internal guidance for scheduling managers.</li></ul><p><b>Learn more:</b>&nbsp;<a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/frontline/shifts-auto-assign-open-shifts?view=o365-worldwide" target="_blank">Auto-assign open shifts - Microsoft 365 for frontline workers | Microsoft Learn</a></p> <p><b>[Compliance considerations:]</b></p><table class="table table-bordered"><tbody><tr><td><b>Area</b></td><td><b>Explanation</b></td></tr><tr><td>Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed?</td><td>The feature uses existing Shifts data (availability, time off, scheduling rules, historical patterns) to generate suggested assignments, without introducing new data types.</td></tr><tr><td>Does the change include an admin control and can it be controlled through Entra ID group membership?</td><td>Visibility of the feature is governed by existing Shifts scheduling permissions, which can be managed through role and group-based access.</td></tr><tr><td>Does the change allow a user to enable or disable the feature themselves?</td><td>Managers can choose whether or not to use Assign Open Shifts during scheduling.</td></tr></tbody></table>

(Updated) Assign open shifts in Microsoft Teams Shifts

Microsoft Teams Shifts introduces "Assign open shifts," enabling managers to auto-assign open shifts based on availability, time off, and scheduling rules. Rolling out worldwide from mid-June to end of July 2026, the feature is optional, reviewable before publishing, and controlled by existing scheduling permissions.

2026-07-14T16:48:51.003Z

Updated message,New feature,User impact

<p>Updated July 14, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.&nbsp;</p><p><b>[What and Why:]</b></p><p><b>Assign open shifts</b> is a new Microsoft Teams Shifts capability that helps managers build schedules more efficiently. Managers can enter shifts that need coverage as open shifts, then use <b>Assign open shifts</b> to automatically assign those shifts within a schedule group based on employee availability, approved time off, historical scheduling patterns, and configured scheduling rules. Managers can review and adjust assignments before publishing the schedule.</p><p>This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&amp;searchterms=562535" target="_blank">562535</a>.</p> <p><b>[Rollout Schedule:]</b></p> <ul> <li>General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins in&nbsp;<b>mid-June 2026</b> and is expected to complete by <b>end of July 2026</b> (previously&nbsp;late June).</li> </ul> <p><b>[Impact on Your Organization:]</b></p> <ul> <li><b>Who is affected:</b> Frontline managers who create or manage schedules using Microsoft Teams Shifts.</li> <li><b>Platforms/Services:</b> Microsoft Teams (Shifts) on web and desktop.</li> <li><b>What will happen:</b> <ul> <li>A new “<b>Assign open shifts</b>” button appears for users with scheduling permissions.</li> <li>Open shifts can be automatically assigned based on availability, time off, historical patterns, and scheduling rules.</li> <li>Managers can review and edit assignments before publishing.</li> <li>Using the feature is optional.</li><p>Screenshot 1: <i>Select a schedule group and review constraints from the <b>Assign Open Shifts</b> dialog:</i></p><p><img src="https://cxcs.microsoft.net/file/ccp/en-us/2a283bfd-a5d8-4d25-8c30-b50e773f8bca" style="width: 400px;" alt="user settings"></p><p>Screenshot 2: <i>A schedule has been successfully generated:</i></p><p><img src="https://cxcs.microsoft.net/file/ccp/en-us/339afc52-08b0-4774-8632-ee45444960aa" style="width: 400px;" alt="user settings"></p> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><b>[Action Required / Recommendations:]</b><br> </p><ul><li>No action is required. </li><li>Admins may choose to share documentation and update internal guidance for scheduling managers.</li></ul><p><b>Learn more:</b>&nbsp;<a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/frontline/shifts-auto-assign-open-shifts?view=o365-worldwide" target="_blank">Auto-assign open shifts - Microsoft 365 for frontline workers | Microsoft Learn</a></p> <p><b>[Compliance considerations:]</b></p><table class="table table-bordered"><tbody><tr><td><b>Area</b></td><td><b>Explanation</b></td></tr><tr><td>Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed?</td><td>The feature uses existing Shifts data (availability, time off, scheduling rules, historical patterns) to generate suggested assignments, without introducing new data types.</td></tr><tr><td>Does the change include an admin control and can it be controlled through Entra ID group membership?</td><td>Visibility of the feature is governed by existing Shifts scheduling permissions, which can be managed through role and group-based access.</td></tr><tr><td>Does the change allow a user to enable or disable the feature themselves?</td><td>Managers can choose whether or not to use Assign Open Shifts during scheduling.</td></tr></tbody></table>