Deputy, the global people platform for shift-based businesses, has launched Deputy Messaging, a fully integrated, real-time communication tool designed specifically for the fast-paced, highly mobile world of hourly work.

Built directly into the Deputy platform and mobile app, Deputy Messaging allows teams to connect to one another the moment a shift is scheduled without switching between apps, relying on personal phone numbers, or losing visibility in fragmented WhatsApp threads. Whether notifying someone of a change, coordinating coverage, or sending an urgent update, Deputy Messaging ensures shift-based teams can communicate where work is already happening.

“Communication inside shift-based workplaces is fundamentally different from office-based organisations,” said Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy. “The workforces we serve are on their feet and operate on the move across multiple locations. They need fast, clear, actionable, mobile communication to do their jobs well, and with Deputy Messaging, we’ve built a solution that reflects that reality. It’s not a chat feature, it’s an operational tool designed to keep teams connected and businesses running smoothly.”

Because Deputy Messaging is fully embedded in the Deputy platform, businesses can manage team communication with the same structure and control they apply to scheduling. Leaders can set permissions, create visibility by role, and ensure critical updates reach the right people, all without relying on third-party tools or informal side channels.

Deputy will release a premium version of the new communication tool for organisations seeking a smarter and richer messaging experience with advanced controls and deeper Deputy integration in October. Deputy Messaging+ will show who is on shift, on a break, or off for the day, giving teams real-time visibility into availability before starting a conversation. It also includes voice notes, read receipts, polls, GIFs, emoji reactions, video messages, and access to Deputy's in-platform employee recognition feature, Kudos. Kudos enables managers and teammates to celebrate great work directly in chat. With a Deputy HR subscription, those moments can also be captured and transformed with generative AI into digestible insights. These AI-generated summaries highlight key performance themes like teamwork, high performance, and initiative, and are showcased in the Team Engagement dashboard to give managers a real-time view of what’s driving morale on the frontline.

“Shift-based businesses have been stuck using communication tools that were never designed for them,” said Deepesh Banerji, Chief Product Officer at Deputy. “Work messages get buried in social chats. Updates get missed. Teams rely on screenshots and word-of-mouth. It’s not just inefficient, it’s a risk, especially in high-compliance industries like healthcare. With Deputy Messaging, we’ve created a system that brings communication into the same place where work gets done. With AI-powered recognition integrated directly into chat, acknowledging great work becomes both measurable and meaningful.”

Deputy Messaging is available now.