> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.limephone.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.limephone.io/phone-numbers/business-hours.md).

# Business hours

Control when calls ring through — for the whole workspace and for you personally.

There are two layers of scheduling. If you set neither, you can be reached 24/7.

## Workspace business hours

Set your company's operating hours in **Settings → Business hours** (under *Workspace*):

1. Turn on the switch at the top of **Business Hours Settings** — the schedule controls only appear once it's enabled.
2. Pick your **Timezone** — options cover US Eastern/Central/Mountain/Pacific, GMT/BST, Central European Time, Japan Standard Time, and Australian Eastern Time. All the times below are interpreted in this timezone, not each caller's.
3. Build the **Weekly Schedule**: each day has its own on/off switch, and enabled days get a **start** and **end** time (e.g. 09:00 to 17:00). Turn a day's switch off to mark the whole day closed.
4. Click **Save Business Hours** — changes don't apply until you save.

Turning the master switch **off** disables business-hours handling entirely: calls are treated the same at 3 a.m. as at 3 p.m.

## Your personal availability

Set when *you* personally take calls in **Settings → Availability** (under *Your account*): turn on **Enable Working Hours**, then set your **Start Time**, **End Time**, and **Available Days**.

This only affects calls routed to you — your teammates keep their own schedules, so a number shared by a team can stay covered while you keep evenings to yourself.

## What happens outside hours

Outside the active hours, calls follow the number's routing — typically voicemail (see [Voicemail](/phone-numbers/voicemail.md)).

If you use the **AI Receptionist**, it can answer outside business hours instead — callers get a conversation and a taken message rather than a voicemail beep. Configure that under **AI Receptionist**.

## Edge cases worth knowing

* **One timezone for the workspace.** The schedule runs in the timezone you chose, even if your team spans several. A 9–5 schedule in Eastern Time means 6–2 for a teammate in California.
* **Two layers stack.** A call inside workspace hours can still miss you if it's outside your personal working hours — it then follows the number's routing to a teammate, voicemail, or the AI Receptionist.
* **Overnight shifts** (end time earlier than start time) aren't supported by the day-based schedule — model them as two days' entries where possible, or leave business hours off.

## FAQ

**I set my hours but calls still ring at night — why?** Check three things in order: the master switch in **Settings → Business hours** is on, you clicked **Save Business Hours**, and the timezone matches where you actually are. An unsaved schedule or a wrong timezone are the two most common causes.

**Do business hours affect SMS?** No — texts arrive at any time. Business hours govern call handling.

**Can each phone number have its own hours?** No. Business hours are workspace-wide; per-person variation comes from each member's **Settings → Availability**.

**What's the difference between Business hours and Availability?** Business hours say when the *company* is open. Availability says when *you* pick up. Both must allow the call for your phone to ring.