Every job has two time limits
Every job you pick up from the market has a timer and a schedule. You need to meet both for your job to be submitted successfully.
Timer: a countdown that starts as soon as you accept the job. It varies from job to job, from a few hours up to a week or more.
Schedule: the times of day when the job can be done, for example 09:00–19:00. This is shown on the job listing.
You must start and submit the job within the scheduled times and before the timer runs out, whichever comes first.
Example
A job has a 3-hour timer and is scheduled 09:00–19:00.
You accept it at 10:00: you have until 13:00 to submit.
You accept it at 17:30: you have until 19:00, not 20:30, because the schedule ends first.
The scheduled end time comes first
This is the most common reason jobs abandon. Even if your timer still has time left, the job will abandon if the scheduled end time passes.
If you start a job after that day's end time, or you're still working on it when the end time passes, it will abandon.
For jobs with longer timers, the schedule applies every day. For example, a job with a 3-day timer scheduled 09:00–17:00 can be completed between 09:00 and 17:00 on any of those three days, but not in the evening.
Reading the timer
The timer on your job shows how much time you have left, not how long the job takes. For example, "1 day" means you have about one day remaining before the job expires.
Before you set off, check both the time remaining and the scheduled times on the job, and make sure you can finish and upload inside both.
What happens if time runs out?
If the timer or the schedule isn't met, the job abandons and goes back to the market. Abandoned jobs lose all their answers and photos, so the job fee is usually not paid. If the job is still available, you can pick it up again from the market.
Leave time to upload
Your job only counts once it has fully uploaded. If it's still uploading when the timer or schedule ends, it can abandon. Leave yourself plenty of time, keep the app open and make sure you have a stable internet connection while submitting.
Can I get more time or move my job to another day?
In rare cases, you can request extra time or for your job to moved to another day. Typically, this is only fulfilled if your job relies on a delivery, like a Waitrose Online Mystery Shop job.
If you can't finish in time, message Live Support before the timer runs out with your Job ID and what you need (for example, more time or a different day). We'll check whether it's possible for that job. This depends on the job and the client, so we can't always help.
If you can't do the job at all, please cancel it so another Shepherd can pick it up. Where possible, cancel at least 4 hours before the start time. See Cancelling a job.
Quick checklist
Check the time remaining and the scheduled times before you accept.
Start and finish inside the scheduled times, not just before the timer ends.
Leave time to upload, with the app open and a stable connection.
Need more time? Contact Live Support with your Job ID before the timer runs out.
Related: Abandoned jobs