What constitutes an 'actual availability' for an employee?

'Actual availability' for an employee refers to the specific times when they are able and willing to work, which is fundamentally shaped by their scheduled work shifts. Scheduled shifts indicate the planned hours during which an employee is expected to be present for work, thus forming a clear framework for their availability. This understanding is critical for both workforce management and operational planning because it helps employers coordinate staffing needs effectively in alignment with employee commitments.

While elements such as employee preferences and potential future shifts may play a role in overall workforce flexibility, they do not serve as the primary measure of an individual employee's current availability. Instead, the actual schedule determines when an employee is actively available for work, making it the most relevant factor in assessing their immediate work readiness.