When you enter an absence, you can also select a substitute. You cannot select multiple substitutes here; you can only choose one substitute.
The reasons are that, first, very few companies need to select multiple substitutes. Second, allowing multiple substitutes would make Timebutler much more complex: there are many settings related to substitutes, for example confirmation by the substitute, supervisor approval only after the substitute has confirmed, and others. With multiple substitutes, approval workflows would become more complicated. Individual substitutes could also intentionally or unintentionally delay or prevent approval, thereby indirectly gaining decision-making authority.
Another issue would be the display across various views. For example, the list view also shows the substitute and the status of the substitute’s confirmation. With multiple selections, the list views would become cluttered and fragmented.
However, you have the following option:
When you enter an absence, select the primary substitute in the designated field. Then simply add the second and any additional substitutes as a note in the “Notes” field. When colleagues check the absence, they can see who the additional substitutes are.
In addition, the Limits feature often helps:
You can configure that in certain departments or user groups (or company-wide) a specific number of employees must always be present. Timebutler then ensures that not too many employees take vacation at the same time. For example, you can define that at least two employees from the “Sales” department must always be present.
You can set up limits by signing in to Timebutler as an admin and then clicking “Settings > Limits” at the bottom left.