Platform Terms & Conditions | ShiftMate

ShiftMate Platform Terms & Conditions

Version 3.1 | Effective: 22 January 2026

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern the use of the ShiftMate platform, operated by ShiftMate (Pty) Ltd ("ShiftMate", "we", "us").

By accessing or using ShiftMate, you agree to these Terms.

If you do not agree, do not use the platform.

1. What ShiftMate Is (and Is Not)

ShiftMate is a digital platform that connects:

•Employers looking for workers for trial-to-hire placements

•Workers ("Shifters") looking for work opportunities

•Introducers who help connect people to the platform

ShiftMate:

•provides technology to facilitate introductions and matching

•processes payments between Employers and Shifters

•offers tools for shift management, attendance tracking, and performance monitoring

ShiftMate does not:

•employ Shifters or act as their employer

•supervise or manage work performed

•guarantee jobs, income, or permanent placement outcomes

•act as a labour broker, temporary employment service (TES), or employment agency as defined in the Labour Relations Act

All employment relationships, work arrangements, and employment contracts exist directly between Employers and Shifters. ShiftMate is a technology intermediary only.

2. Who These Terms Apply To

These Terms apply to everyone who uses ShiftMate, including:

•Employers who post shifts and hire workers

•Shifters who apply for and work shifts

•Introducers who refer users to the platform

•Visitors who browse or create an account

Role-specific terms are set out in Sections 15-17 below.

3. Accounts & Verification

To use ShiftMate, you must:

•be at least 18 years old

•provide accurate and truthful information

•complete required verification steps

•keep your login details secure

We may require:

•Identity verification (ID document, selfie, facial recognition)

•Business verification (company registration, tax numbers)

•Bank account verification for payments

You are responsible for all activity on your account. Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access.

3.1 Third-Party Login

If you register or log in using a third-party service (such as Google), you give us permission to access and use information from that service as permitted by their terms, and to store your login credentials for that service. You agree that we are not liable for any personal data made available to us through your use of third-party authentication services.

3.2 Communications and Notifications

By creating an account, you consent to receive communications from us via:

•Email (shift confirmations, platform updates, marketing)

•SMS and WhatsApp messages (shift reminders, urgent notifications)

•Push notifications (if you install our mobile app)

•In-app notifications

You can opt out of marketing communications in your account settings. However, transactional and service-related messages (such as shift confirmations and payment notifications) cannot be disabled while your account is active.

4. No Employment Relationship with ShiftMate

IMPORTANT: Using ShiftMate does not create:

•an employment relationship between you and ShiftMate

•an agency relationship

•a partnership or joint venture

When a Shifter works a trial or shift:

•The Employer is the employer of record for all legal purposes

•The Employer is responsible for compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), and all other applicable labour legislation

•ShiftMate facilitates payment but does not determine wages, working conditions, or employment terms

ShiftMate is not a labour broker or TES under Section 198 of the Labour Relations Act. We do not procure, provide, or place workers with clients. Employers engage Shifters directly through our platform.

5. Platform Rules & Acceptable Use

All users must:

•act honestly and in good faith

•treat other users with respect

•comply with all applicable South African laws

•honour confirmed shift commitments

You may not:

•create fake, duplicate, or misleading accounts

•commit fraud or manipulate referrals, ratings, or rewards

•impersonate others or misrepresent your identity

•harass, abuse, or discriminate against other users

•bypass platform systems, fees, or payment mechanisms

•attempt to take relationships off-platform to avoid fees

•share login credentials or allow others to use your account

•use any robot, bot, spider, crawler, scraper, or automated device to access, retrieve, index, or data mine the platform

•reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive the source code of any part of our platform

•interfere with, disrupt, or negatively affect our services, servers, or networks

•upload viruses, malware, or other malicious code

•forge headers or manipulate identifiers to disguise the origin of any information

•probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of our systems

•access or use our API without written authorisation

We may suspend or permanently close accounts that violate these rules without refund.

6. AI-Powered Features

ShiftMate uses artificial intelligence to:

•match Shifters with suitable job opportunities

•generate skill profiles and capability assessments

•analyse performance and reliability data

•provide recommendations to Employers

AI-assisted features:

•are tools to help, not replace, human decision-making

•do not make final employment or hiring decisions

•may be subject to human review upon request

•are explained further in our Privacy Policy

7. Fees & Payments

7.1 Employer Fees

Employers pay:

•A monthly trial fee (currently R500/month, 1 month) during the trial period

•No placement fee when converting a Shifter to permanent employment — hiring is FREE

•Any applicable platform service fees

Fees are non-refundable unless stated otherwise. All prices include VAT.

7.2 Shifter Payments

Shifters receive:

•Daily pay for completed shifts, processed via the platform

•Payment within the timeframes specified for each shift type

•Payment is subject to successful shift completion and attendance verification

7.3 Employer Wallet

Employers must maintain sufficient wallet balance to cover Shifter wages. If wallet funds are insufficient:

•Shifters may not be paid on time

•ShiftMate may pause or cancel scheduled shifts

•Employer accounts may be suspended

7.4 Introducer Commissions

Introducers may earn referral commissions as specified in the Introducer Programme terms. Commissions are subject to eligibility requirements and may be clawed back if referred users violate platform rules.

8. Shift Commitments & Cancellations

8.1 Shifter Obligations

Once you accept a shift, you must:

•arrive on time at the designated location

•complete the shift as agreed

•allow location tracking during the shift for attendance verification

•follow reasonable workplace instructions from the Employer

8.2 No-Shows & Cancellations

•Cancelling within 24 hours of a shift start may affect your reliability score

•No-shows (failing to arrive without notice) will negatively impact your reliability score and may result in account restrictions

•Repeated no-shows may lead to account suspension

8.3 Employer Cancellations

Employers who cancel shifts at short notice may still be liable for cancellation fees as specified at booking.

9. Ratings & Performance

9.1 Performance Monitoring

ShiftMate tracks:

•Shift attendance and punctuality

•Employer feedback and ratings

•Cancellation and no-show patterns

•Overall reliability metrics

9.2 Consequences

Poor performance may result in:

•reduced visibility in matching

•lower priority for premium shifts

•temporary or permanent account restrictions

9.3 Disputes

If you believe a rating or performance mark is unfair, contact support within 7 days to request a review.

10. Suspension & Termination

We may suspend or close your account if you:

•breach these Terms

•abuse the platform or other users

•engage in fraud, misrepresentation, or unlawful behaviour

•pose a risk to users, Employers, or ShiftMate

You may stop using ShiftMate at any time. Any outstanding fees, commissions owed, or payment obligations remain payable.

11. Intellectual Property

All platform technology, software, branding, content, and materials belong to ShiftMate or our licensors.

You may not copy, resell, reverse engineer, or commercially exploit any part of the platform without written permission.

11.1 User-Generated Content

When you create content on ShiftMate (including profile information, photos, documents, messages, and reviews), you grant ShiftMate a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide licence to use, display, reproduce, and distribute this content in connection with operating and promoting our services. You represent that you have all necessary rights to grant this licence.

You retain ownership of your original content, but we may use it to:

•display your profile to Employers and other users

•showcase platform features and success stories (with identifying information removed unless you consent)

•improve our matching algorithms and AI systems

•fulfil our contractual obligations to you and other users

12. Privacy & Data Protection

Your use of ShiftMate is subject to our Privacy Policy, which explains:

•what personal information we collect (including biometric and location data)

•how we use AI for matching and profiling

•your rights under POPIA

•how to exercise your data rights

By using the platform, you consent to the processing described in the Privacy Policy.

13. Limitation of Liability

ShiftMate provides the platform "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind.

To the fullest extent permitted by South African law, ShiftMate is not liable for:

•loss of income, profits, or business opportunities

•failed placements or unsuccessful trials

•user conduct, performance, or workplace disputes

•actions or omissions of Employers, Shifters, or Introducers

•indirect, consequential, or punitive damages

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded under South African consumer protection or other applicable law.

14. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless ShiftMate, its directors, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, damages, costs, or expenses arising from:

•your use of the platform

•your dealings with other users

•your breach of these Terms

•your violation of any applicable law

•any employment-related claims arising from work arranged through the platform

Employers specifically indemnify ShiftMate against any claims that ShiftMate acted as their labour broker or TES.

15. Terms for Shifters (Job Seekers)

As a Shifter, you agree:

15.1 Eligibility

•You are legally authorised to work in South Africa

•You are at least 18 years old

•All information in your profile is accurate and current

15.2 Verification

•You will complete identity verification including facial recognition

•You consent to location tracking during active shifts

•You will provide accurate bank details for payment

15.3 Shift Conduct

•You will arrive on time and complete accepted shifts

•You will follow reasonable instructions from Employers

•You will maintain professional conduct at all times

•You will not consume alcohol or drugs before or during shifts

15.4 Payment

•Payment for completed shifts is processed via the platform

•You must have a verified South African bank account

•Payment timing depends on shift type and Employer wallet balance

•Disputes about payment must be raised within 7 days

15.5 Trial-to-Hire

•Trial periods (working interviews) are paid opportunities to demonstrate your abilities

•Successful trials may lead to permanent employment offers from Employers

•There is no guarantee of permanent placement

•If hired permanently, you become an employee of the Employer, not ShiftMate

16. Terms for Employers

As an Employer, you agree:

16.1 Eligibility

•You are a registered South African business or authorised representative

•You will provide accurate company and contact information

•You are responsible for compliance with all employment legislation

16.2 Your Responsibilities

•You are the employer of record for all Shifters working at your premises

•You must comply with BCEA, COIDA, OHSA, Employment Equity Act, and all other applicable laws

•You must provide a safe working environment

•You must not discriminate in hiring or treatment of Shifters

•You must treat Shifters fairly and professionally

16.3 Payments & Fees

•You must maintain sufficient wallet balance to pay Shifters

•Trial package fees are due at booking and are non-refundable

•Hiring a Shifter permanently is FREE — no placement fee is charged

•Late payment may result in account suspension

16.4 Trial-to-Hire Process

•Trials are paid working interviews lasting up to 1 month

•You must pay Shifters for all hours worked during trials

•You decide whether to offer permanent employment after the trial

•You must notify ShiftMate when hiring a Shifter permanently

16.5 Cancellations

•Cancelling confirmed shifts may incur cancellation fees

•Cancelling within 24 hours of shift start may result in full shift payment obligation

16.6 Indemnity

•You indemnify ShiftMate against any claims from Shifters related to employment, wages, injuries, or workplace conditions

•You acknowledge ShiftMate is not your labour broker or TES

17. Terms for Introducers

As an Introducer, you agree:

17.1 Eligibility

•You are at least 18 years old

•You have completed verification requirements

•You will refer genuine candidates only

17.2 Referral Conduct

•You will not make false promises about income or placement

•You will not spam or harass potential referrals

•You will accurately represent ShiftMate and its services

•You will comply with POPIA when handling personal information

17.3 Commissions

•Commission rates and eligibility are as specified in the Introducer Programme

•Commissions are earned when referred users meet specified milestones

•Commissions may be clawed back if referred users:

- violate platform rules

- are found to be fraudulent or fake accounts

- fail to complete required verification

17.4 Payouts

•Commissions are paid to your verified bank account

•Minimum payout thresholds may apply

•ShiftMate may delay payouts for verification or fraud prevention

17.5 Termination

•We may terminate your Introducer status for rule violations

•Unpaid earned commissions remain payable upon termination

•Unearned or clawed-back commissions are forfeited

18. Dispute Resolution

18.1 Between Users

Disputes between Employers and Shifters should first be resolved directly. ShiftMate may facilitate communication but is not a party to employment disputes.

18.2 With ShiftMate

If you have a dispute with ShiftMate:

•Contact support@shiftmate.co.za first

•We will attempt to resolve the matter informally within 14 days

•Unresolved disputes may be escalated to mediation before litigation

18.3 Jurisdiction

Any legal proceedings must be brought in South African courts with jurisdiction in KwaZulu-Natal.

19. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect:

•changes in our services

•legal or regulatory requirements

•user feedback

We will notify you of material changes via email or platform notification. Updated Terms apply from the date published. Continued use of ShiftMate after changes means you accept the updated Terms.

20. General Provisions

20.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any role-specific programme terms, constitute the entire agreement between you and ShiftMate.

20.2 Severability

If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in effect.

20.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not waive that right.

20.4 Assignment

You may not assign your rights under these Terms. ShiftMate may assign its rights to a successor or affiliate.

21. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Any disputes will be resolved in South African courts, with jurisdiction in KwaZulu-Natal.

22. Contact Details

General Support: support@shiftmate.co.za

Legal Enquiries: legal@shiftmate.co.za

Privacy Requests: privacy@shiftmate.co.za

ShiftMate (Pty) Ltd

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa