Answers to the questions people ask most. Can't find what you need? Email hello@shuffledesk.io and we'll help.
Joining Shuffles
How do I join ShuffleDesk?
Your organisation's admin invites you by email. Click the link in the invitation, create your account, and you're in. There's nothing to install.
When are Shuffles?
Your admin picks a weekly slot. You'll see it on your ShuffleDesk home page, where you can add it to your calendar. We also email a reminder shortly before each session.
How do I join a session?
The waiting room opens a few minutes before the start time. Open ShuffleDesk and click Join the waiting room, or use the link in your reminder. You can check your camera and microphone there. When the session starts, you're paired with a colleague automatically. There's nothing to click.
How are people paired?
From whoever's in the waiting room. We favour colleagues who haven't met yet, and shared interests or languages.
How long is each chat?
Your admin chooses how many chats a session has and how long each one lasts. Between chats there's a short break, then you're paired with someone new.
Can I leave a chat early?
Yes, whenever you like. Click the end-call button. If your connection drops by accident, you can rejoin.
What should we talk about?
Anything. There's no agenda. The waiting room suggests a question if you'd like one to have ready, like "What's one small win you're proud of this week?"
Is the chat recorded?
No, never. Video and audio go directly between the two browsers and aren't recorded or stored by anyone. Please don't record chats yourself.
What does the rating after each chat do?
It's optional and helps us improve pairing. Admins only ever see a session's average rating, never yours.
Someone made me uncomfortable. What should I do?
Leave the chat straight away. You never need a reason. Then use Report a problem after the chat. Reports are private and reviewed by our team. See our Community Guidelines.
Your account
How do I change my name, photo or time zone?
Open the account menu and choose Your profile. Your headline and interests help us pair you well and give colleagues something to talk about.
What are check-ins?
If your organisation turns them on, you'll occasionally see three short statements, like "I feel connected to my colleagues at work", and say how much you agree. It takes about 30 seconds, and you can skip one. Your answers are never shown individually. Admins only see team averages, once at least three people have answered.
What can my admin see?
Who joined each session and who met whom, plus totals and averages. Never what was said, your own ratings, or your check-in answers. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
How do I leave, or delete my data?
Ask your workspace admin to remove you, or email hello@shuffledesk.io to have your account deleted.
For admins
How do I set up ShuffleDesk?
Two steps:
- Pick a weekly slot. Choose the day and time, and how many chats each session has.
- Invite your people. Invite whole teams at once, so everyone meets people outside their own.
You can change both any time from Schedule and People in the admin menu.
Can I run a Shuffle outside the weekly slot?
Yes. On the Admin overview, use Start an impromptu Shuffle. It's great for an all-hands, an offsite or a Friday afternoon. You can notify the whole team when you start it.
What do session reports show?
Who joined, how many conversations happened, who met whom and for how long, the session's average rating, and whether any safety reports were made. From there you can send a reminder to anyone who missed it.
How do I turn on check-ins?
Go to Wellbeing in the admin menu. Check-ins are off until you turn them on. Choose how often they're sent, and see trends as team averages over time.
Do people have to take part?
No. Everyone gets the invite and joins when they can. We'd recommend keeping it that way. Shuffles work best when people choose to come.
Plans and billing
How does the free trial work?
Every new workspace gets 30 days free for up to 500 people. You don't need a card. When the trial ends, Shuffles pause until you choose a plan, and nothing is deleted.
Which plan do I need?
Plans are priced by the number of people in your workspace: Team (up to 25), Company (up to 100) and Scale (up to 500, in blocks of 10). Pending invitations count towards your seats. See pricing. For more than 500 people, get in touch.
How do I change plan, update my card or get invoices?
Go to Billing in the admin menu. Plan changes take effect straight away and are charged or credited pro rata. Invoices and payment details are managed through Stripe's secure billing portal.
How do I cancel?
From Billing, any time. Your plan stays active until the end of the period you've paid for.
Troubleshooting
Which browsers work?
Recent versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on a laptop or desktop with a camera and microphone.
My camera or microphone isn't working
- When your browser asks for permission to use your camera and microphone, click Allow. If you blocked it, click the camera icon or padlock in the address bar to change it.
- Close other apps that might be using your camera, such as Zoom or Teams.
- On a Mac, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera (and Microphone) and make sure your browser is allowed.
- Reload the page and try again.
I was paired but the video never connected
Some company networks and VPNs block direct browser-to-browser video. Try switching off your VPN, or joining from a different network. If it keeps happening for your whole organisation, tell us at hello@shuffledesk.io and we'll help your IT team.
I didn't get the invitation or reminder emails
Check your spam or junk folder. If they're being filtered, ask your IT team to allow emails from ShuffleDesk.