Free Weekly Schedule Templates for 2024

Whether you’ve used a weekly schedule template or not, one thing’s for sure—creating a seamless schedule for your team is one of the most essential tasks for a small business owner. 

As your business expands, so does the complexity of managing everyone’s time and ensuring smooth operations. From deciding on your scheduling strategy to finding the right tools, it can seem like creating a weekly schedule for employees means more headaches. But it doesn’t have to be that way! 

With a free weekly schedule template, you can simplify the entire process. Whether you’re looking for a weekly employee schedule template, a staff scheduling template, or an easy-to-use work schedule template, we’ve got the resources you need.

These templates not only save you time but also help you avoid conflicts and ensure everyone is on the same page. 

Let’s explore the best free weekly schedule templates for 2024 and how they can help you keep your business running smoothly.

How to use a weekly schedule template.

Using a weekly schedule template is simple:

1. To get started, choose a template that fits your business needs—whether it’s an employee schedule template, a work availability template, or a daily schedule template.
2. Download the template, fill in your team’s shifts and availability, and share it with your employees. It’s a quick and efficient way to keep everyone informed and on the same page.
3. Enter each team member’s shifts, break times, and any important notes. 
4. Update the template regularly and distribute it to your team through email, printouts, or a scheduling app. This way, everyone knows their schedule, reducing confusion and ensuring your business operates smoothly.

How do I create an employee schedule template?

You can create an employee schedule in two main ways: using free weekly schedule templates or scheduling software like Homebase.

Free weekly schedule templates are a great starting point. We’ll share our free weekly schedule templates below. 

Or you can find a variety of templates online that you can download and customize to fit your business needs. These templates are typically easy to use and you can fill them in with your employees’ shifts, break times, and any additional notes. They help you organize and communicate your schedule effectively without any cost.

Scheduling software like Homebase takes it a step further by automating much of the process. With Homebase, you don’t need to use a printable weekly planner or a weekly schedule sheet—the Homebase app lets you create, update, and share schedules with your team effortlessly. You can easily manage availability, handle shift changes, and ensure compliance with labor laws. 

Plus, it integrates with other tools to streamline your payroll and time tracking, saving you time and reducing errors.

The best weekly schedule templates.

Homebase’s free weekly schedule template.

Homebase’s free weekly schedule template with times is designed to simplify the scheduling process for small businesses with hourly employees. It includes fields for the week, employee name, department, shift start and end times, break times, and notes and is easily editable.

To use this template:

1. Start by filling in the week and employee details at the top. 
2. Then, enter the shift start and end times for each day, noting any scheduled breaks.
3. Use the notes section to include any special instructions or reminders. 
4. Once completed, share the schedule with your team through email, text, or printouts to keep everyone informed and on track.

Homebase’s free employee schedule template.

Homebase’s free weekly work schedule template is designed to help small businesses manage their hourly employees with added detail and structure. This hourly schedule template includes fields for the week, employee name, role, manager, shift start and end times, breaks, tasks, and notes.

To use this template:

1. Start by filling in the team schedule template with the  week, employee, and manager details at the top. 
2. Add the shift start and end times for each day, along with any scheduled breaks. 
3. Use the tasks column to outline specific duties or responsibilities for each shift. 
4. You can use the  notes section for any special instructions or reminders. 
5. Share the weekly schedule sheet with your team through email or text so everyone’s on the same page about their shifts.

Homebase’s free built-in weekly scheduler.

Using a paper schedule template or sending new images each week can be disorganized. Level up your scheduling with Homebase using our free built-in weekly scheduler, which automates the employee scheduling process, making scheduling a breeze for you and your team. 

This powerful tool allows you to create and manage schedules from anywhere, using templates and suggested shifts to streamline the process. 

With Homebase, you can:

• Publish or update schedules and instantly notify your team via text, email, and the app.
• Automatically track employee availability and time off to avoid scheduling conflicts.
• Use sales forecasts and labor targets to optimize your schedule.
• Handle time-off requests and shift trades seamlessly within the app.

Using Homebase’s built-in scheduler, you can ensure your team always has the latest schedule at their fingertips, reducing no-shows and confusion, and keeping your business running smoothly.

Free weekly schedule templates online.

You can find numerous free weekly schedule templates online from sites like Canva and Microsoft 365. But a word of warning: you might be stuck sifting through hundreds of templates. Why? It can be hard to find one specifically designed for hourly teams—especially industries like restaurants, retail, or hotels.

 That’s why using a scheduling app like Homebase is the best option. Homebase’s templates are tailored for hourly teams and offer automation and convenience. Or, you can start with the two free templates provided earlier to create a customized schedule that fits your business needs perfectly.

Creating team schedules with free weekly schedule templates.

Managing employee schedules is crucial for the success of any small business. Here’s a quick recap of your options:

• Free weekly schedule templates: These templates are readily available online from sites like Canva and Microsoft 365. They may, however, require some customization to fit the needs of hourly teams in industries like restaurants, retail, or hotels.
• Homebase’s free templates: Specifically designed for small businesses with hourly employees, these templates offer a more structured and reliable approach to team scheduling.
• Homebase’s built-in scheduler: This is the ultimate solution for efficiency and accuracy. Homebase’s scheduling software automates the process, reducing errors and ensuring your team always has the latest schedule.

Using a scheduling app like Homebase is the best way to streamline your scheduling process. Because you can easily build, share, and optimize employee work schedules, you can avoid conflicts and keep your business running smoothly.

With features tailored for hourly employees, Homebase ensures your team stays informed and your operations are seamless.

By exploring these options and utilizing the best tools available, you can make scheduling a hassle-free part of your business management. Choose the solution that best fits your needs and watch your efficiency soar.