Blog

With the rise of remote and hybrid work environments, managing employee schedules and tracking time has become more complicated for many businesses and organizations. Sling is a web-based application that aims to provide a flexible and easy-to-use solution for employee scheduling and basic time tracking needs.

What is Sling?

Sling is a cloud-based employee scheduling and time tracking software designed for businesses of all sizes. It allows managers and employees to manage schedules, request time off, track time worked, communicate with team members, and more.

Some key features of Sling include:

- Drag-and-drop schedule builder: Easily create and edit employee schedules with the visual drag-and-drop calendar. Schedule employees based on role, location, or other criteria.

- Employee self-scheduling: Employees can sign up for open shifts or swap shifts with coworkers. Managers can set limits and require approval.

- Time tracking: Employees can clock in and out to track hours worked. The time clock app works on mobile and desktop.

- Time off requests: Employees can request time off, which managers can approve or deny. Sling automatically adjusts schedules.

- Shift reminders: Employees receive shift reminders and notifications via email, SMS text, or push notifications.

- Communication: Managers and employees can communicate directly within Sling via messaging.

- Integrations: Sling integrates with payroll systems like Gusto, accounting software, point of sale systems, and more.

- Analytics: Managers can access real-time analytics on schedules, time tracking, and labor costs to inform better decisions.

- Accessibility: The interface is designed to be user-friendly and accessible across devices. Mobile apps available.

Sling offers a free basic plan for up to 75 employees with core scheduling and communication features. Paid plans unlock additional features like time tracking, shift trading, and integrations. Pricing starts at $4 per active user per month when billed annually.

Why Use Sling for Employee Scheduling and Time Tracking?

Sling aims to provide an all-in-one solution to common workforce management challenges like scheduling complexities, overtime pay, compliance risks, and communication gaps. Here are some key reasons a business might choose Sling:

- Flexible self-scheduling: Employees can pick up or swap shifts when needed, reducing schedule-related stress and last minute requests.

- Accurate time tracking: Automated time tracking ensures hours worked are captured accurately to avoid payroll errors and noncompliance.

- Scheduling from anywhere: The web-based system allows employees and managers to manage schedules and time from any device.

- Real-time visibility: With instant access to schedules, hours worked, and communications, managers can make informed decisions.

- Reduced administration: Schedule automation, time tracking, and PTO management streamline demanding administrative tasks.

- Mobile experience: Intuitive mobile apps allow employees to manage their schedule, request time off, clock in/out, or communicate on-the-go.

- Affordability: The basic free plan accommodates up to 75 employees, ideal for small business budgets. Paid plans scale up affordably.

- Support: Sling offers onboarding, training, 24/7 support, and other resources to ensure users get ongoing value.

- Customization: Managers can customize aspects like user permissions, shift labels, payroll rules, notifications, and more.

Ideal Users of Sling

Sling is designed to serve a range of industries and organizations that need flexible, accessible scheduling and basic time tracking:

- Retail businesses: Chain and local retail stores with hourly floor staff. Useful for tracking hours, minimizing payroll costs, and communicating shifts.

- Restaurants: Full-service and quick-service restaurants with front and back-of-house hourly employees. Streamlines scheduling across locations.

- Healthcare: Clinics, dental offices, home health aides, and other healthcare providers with nurses, assistants, technicians, and other staff working varied shifts.

- Hospitality: Hotels, resorts, entertainment venues with significant hourly and seasonal staff. Self-scheduling empowers employees.

- Services: Salons, spas, cleaning services, landscapers, and similar businesses with hourly workers and fluctuating demand.

- Nonprofits: Food banks, shelters, trade associations, or other mission-driven groups that need to efficiently schedule volunteers and part-time staff.

- Public sector: Municipalities, schools, colleges, and other public entities with hourly workers like janitorial staff, crossing guards, librarians, and substitute teachers.

Sling Integrations and Add-Ons

One benefit of Sling is that it integrates with various third-party systems:

- Payroll: Sling seamlessly sends hours worked to integrated payroll providers like Gusto, Paychex Flex, and others to simplify payroll.

- Point-of-sale (POS): Employees can clock in for shifts directly from integrated POS systems like Square, Clover, and Toast.

- Accounting: Sling integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero to synchronize employee hours.

- Productivity: TSheets integration allows tracking time against specific projects and clients.

- Hardware: Users can opt to purchase a Kiosk time clock (starts at $299) to clock in/out via badge scan or fingerprint.

- Premium support: For $100/month, Premium Support offers accelerated onboarding, training, and support access.

While the free plan accommodates core needs for smaller teams, upgrading to paid plans unlocks features like:

- Advanced scheduling: Set schedules based on budgets, sales forecasts, or labor metrics. Automate schedule creation.

- Demand-based schedules: Match schedules to expected traffic, sales, or call volume patterns.

- Time off accruals: Let Sling track PTO balances based on tenure, hours worked, and other criteria. Enforce use-it-or-lose-it policies.

- Overtime alerts: Receive alerts about potential overtime to avoid unplanned costs.

- Time tracking app: Upgrade from basic web clock-in/out to the full mobile time clock app.

- Pay rules: Configure premium pay, rounding rules, grace periods, and more.

- Job costing: Connect employee time to specific projects or cost centers.

Sling Pricing

One of Sling’s biggest advantages is that it offers a robust free plan with basic scheduling and communication features for up to 75 active users.

Their paid plans unlock additional capabilities and support larger teams:

- Free Plan: Up to 75 active employees with web-based shift scheduling and messaging.

- Basic Plan: Starts at $2/user/month billed annually for web-based clock-in/out, time-off requests, and other features. Minimum 5 users.

- Pro Plan: Starts at $4/user/month billed annually. Adds mobile apps, shift trading, demand-based scheduling, integrations, etc. Minimum 5 users.

- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for 500+ users and industry-specific features. Contact Sling for quote.

The free plan is ideal for startups, small businesses, and organizations that want to try Sling at no cost. For more advanced needs, the Pro plan adds the most robust set of features starting at a reasonable $4 per active user monthly. Bulk discounts available for annual contracts or larger teams.

Sling does not charge extra for add-ons like text messaging, email alerts, or integrations. However, purchasing a Kiosk timeclock hardware incurs a one-time cost starting at $299. Sling is competitively priced relative to other top scheduling apps.

Getting Started With Sling

Ready to get started bringing Sling’s flexible scheduling and time tracking to your workforce? Here is a brief overview of steps for getting onboard:

1. Sign up for the desired free or paid account at Sling’s website. No credit card required for the free plan.

2. Add your location(s) and configure basic company information.

3. Invite managers and employees via email or create accounts manually.

4. Set up schedules, communication preferences, time tracking options, and rules.

5. Employees download mobile apps on their device (optional). Managers customize and assign access permissions.

6. Follow onboarding guides and training resources like videos, support articles, and webinars.

7. Managers and employees start using Sling for scheduling, time tracking, requesting time off, messaging, and more.

8. Integrate other platforms like payroll, POS, accounting software, etc.

9. Continuously monitor analytics reports and user feedback to improve operations. Reach out to Sling’s support resources if needed.

10. Consider upgrading to a paid plan to unlock additional capabilities as needs evolve.

Sling focuses on providing an intuitive platform and quality support throughout the onboarding process and beyond. The app prioritizes flexibility, ease of use, and accessibility across devices. Interested businesses can easily get started with the free plan or a risk-free 14-day Pro trial.

Sling Support and Resources

Sling prides itself on providing stellar support and resources so clients can get the most value from the platform. Resources include:

- Onboarding: Dedicated launch manager for onboarding new clients. Access interactive getting started guides.

- Training: Sign up for weekly live training webinars or view prerecorded demo videos. Access user guides and help docs.

- Support: Get answers from Sling's customer support team 24/7 via live chat, email, or phone.

- Community: Join Sling's online community to interact with fellow users and share best practices.

- Developer platform: Developers can integrate other apps with Sling using their open API.

- Blog: Read articles on the Sling blog for tips, product updates, company news, and more.

- Partners: Sling partners with resellers, referral partners, and integration partners for expanded capabilities.

- Events: Sling hosts free educational and networking events for users online and at their Denver HQ.

For an affordable monthly fee, Sling also offers Premium Support starting at $100/month. This adds benefits like accelerated onboarding, guaranteed response times, and access to product specialists.

The emphasis on learning resources helps users capitalize on Sling's features through onboarding and beyond. Between the online knowledge base, responsive support team, and extensive training content, clients have a suite of materials to master the software.

Sling Alternatives

While Sling is uniquely positioned with its free plan and blend of usability and advanced features, it does face competition from other employee scheduling tools like:

- Deputy: Best for shift-based workforces. More advanced scheduling optimization based on sales data.

- Homebase: Good for restaurants. Built-in messaging, payroll, and other features.

- When I Work: Simple interface. Popular free plan with basic scheduling.

- HotSchedules: Robust for large, complex workforces like hospitality and healthcare.

- Paycor: Integrates scheduling with payroll, HR, and other systems.

- Dayforce: Full-suite HCM system including scheduling, time tracking, and more.

Each platform has unique strengths and weaknesses. For small-to-medium sized businesses seeking an intuitive tool with flexibility, Sling likely offers the best blend of ease of use, features, support, and affordability. The free plan enables trying it risk-free as well.

Is Sling the Right Choice for Your Business?

For any organization struggling with the complexities of managing employees across locations and roles, Sling aims to simplify scheduling and time tracking. The software removes significant administrative burdens through automation, organization-wide transparency, and seamless integrations.

With robust free and paid plans, Sling can cost-effectively scale from a 5 person startup to a 500+ person enterprise. Ease of use and accessibility empower employees to take control of their schedules. Customization and integrations provide managers with greater insights and efficiency.

Before choosing Sling, interested businesses should consider their specific requirements, workflows, and budget. However, the availability of an unlimited free plan makes it easy for small organizations to try it out at no cost. The potential benefits of reduced payroll costs, compliance risks, and administrative headaches make Sling worth evaluating.

Visit Sling.com to learn more and get started with a free account. The intuitive platform, quality support, and focus on user needs makes Sling a scheduling and time tracking solution worth considering.