What happens when a worker cancels a shift with short notice?

What Happens When a Shift is Cancelled by a Healthcare Professional

At Relief Buddy, we know how critical it is to have coverage you can count on. When you're depending on someone to fill a shift and ensure smooth operations, a last-minute cancellation can cause serious disruption—and we understand the stress that comes with that.

While most of the professionals on our platform are reliable and committed, there are rare occasions when a Healthcare Professional must cancel due to unforeseen or legitimate reasons.

When this happens, our team acts quickly to help minimize the impact:

🛠 What We Do When a Cancellation Occurs

• We immediately begin sourcing a replacement from our pool of available and qualified professionals.

🔒 How We Help Prevent Repeat Issues

We take every cancellation seriously—especially when patterns emerge. Here's how we maintain accountability:

• Block Options
  You can block any Healthcare Professional from being matched with your practice again. This helps tailor your experience and ensures you work only with individuals who meet your expectations.

• Internal Reviews for Repeat Cancellations

  Professionals who cancel frequently, particularly on short notice, are flagged for internal review. They may face restrictions or removal from the platform if reliability becomes a concern.

• Commitment Reminders
  We routinely remind all professionals of their commitment to the healthcare practices they serve. Professionalism and accountability are emphasized throughout our platform communications.

📌 A Note on Relief Work & Expectations

Relief and temporary work carries an inherent level of unpredictability. While we do everything we can to maintain a smooth experience, occasional short-notice cancellations may happen. When they do, and especially when there's a pattern, we take action.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership and your dedication to patient care. Your feedback and engagement help us strengthen the network for everyone involved.

⚖️ Important Disclaimer

Healthcare Professionals who accept shifts through the Relief Buddy platform do so under a Non-Employee Relationship. They are not employees, contractors, or agents of Relief Buddy, nor are they considered employees of your business through our platform.

These professionals:

• Choose shifts voluntarily based on their availability and preferences.

• Are not scheduled, managed, or directed by Relief Buddy or your practice.

• Maintain full control over when, where, and how they work.

Relief Buddy does not employ, contract, or assign professionals, and therefore cannot offer guarantees regarding attendance, performance, or availability. While we take cancellations seriously and review repeated behavior, we are not in a position to enforce employment-like obligations.

That said, we maintain an active and growing network of qualified Healthcare Professionals—and make every effort to ensure your shifts are filled promptly and reliably.

Note: Relief Buddy may offer optional administrative services—such as issuing Records of Employment (ROEs) or assisting with tax reporting—for workers who prefer consolidated documentation. These services are provided for convenience only and do not create an employment relationship with Relief Buddy or your practice.