The “Requires Staffing” setting controls whether a service can only be booked when you have an open spot in your business hours. It’s ON by default.
Turn it OFF for services that don’t need you there with the client, so you can take other appointments at the same time. For example:
- Processing time, like hair color processing, numbing cream before a brow service, or ceramic coating cure time
- Self-serve services, like a massage chair, infrared sauna, or weight room access
It’s most often used for add-on services.
Watch the video below for a quick walkthrough:
Some examples
By default, PocketSuite prevents you from being double-booked unless you enable “Double Booking” under Settings > Scheduling. “Requires Staffing” allows you to be double-booked only for specific services within your available hours.
-
Requires Staffing ON (default): When a client books this Service, your availability is blocked for the duration of the client’s booking. No other client can book you for that same time. Clients CANNOT book this Service if you have no availability on your calendar.
-
Example: In a hair salon, a haircut requires the stylist to be present and actively provide service to the client, so you can’t take another haircut at the same time.
-
Example: In a hair salon, a haircut requires the stylist to be present and actively provide service to the client, so you can’t take another haircut at the same time.
-
Requires Staffing OFF: When a client books this Service, your availability is not blocked, so other clients can still book you for that same time. The service still must be booked within your available hours, but other bookings, blocks, and calendar sync events are ignored. Turning Requires Staffing OFF is primarily done for add-on services.
- Example: In a hair salon, color services often include a wait time where the client is waiting for the dye to set. During this time, the stylist is free to take other services.
How to Check Your Services
- Open your Services. Go to Settings > Services
- Tap a Service to open it.
- Turn Requires Staffing on or off.
- Repeat for each Service.
Note: If you're not sure which setting to use, leave Requires Staffing on.
Need help? Reach out to support@pocketsuite.io and our Configurations Team will review your full Services list and turn on Requires Staffing for you.