-1.1.What are cookies?

Cookies are small plain text files that are stored in your browser, primarily used so websites can store/retrieve information between each page you visit. They can perform a wide variety of functions, from remembering usernames and language preferences to counting visitor numbers. They are designed to improve user experience, site performance, and the relevancy of the content shown to users.
Session-based cookies last only while your browser is open and are automatically deleted when your session expires (typically when you close your browser). Persistent cookies last until they expire, or until they are deleted (either by you or by the website).
While cookies can be used for malicious purposes, cookies themselves are not inherently harmful or dangerous. If you'd like to find out more about cookies, take a look at AllAboutCookies.org.

-1.2.Essential cookies

NameTypeExpirationPurpose
aAuthentication1 yearThe first of three authentication cookies used to identify the active user between requests.
bAuthentication1 yearThe second of three authentication cookies used to identify the active user between requests.
cAuthentication1 yearThe third of three authentication cookies used to identify the active user between requests.
fFunctional1 yearDetermines whether a user is viewing the desktop site or the mobile site when on a mobile device.
mFunctional1 yearDetermines whether a user's browser has identified itself as a mobile browser.
remember_loginPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether their login name (email) should be remembered the next time they log in.
stay_logged_inPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether they should remain logged in for the next time they log in.
session_idFunctionalSessionContains a unique identifier for the duration of the session to make it possible to remember the user between requests.
authorisation-keyPreference1 yearStores a time clock station's authenticating user's credentials so it can remain authenticated if it's reloaded.
languagePreference1 yearStores the user's preferred language.
language_redirectionFunctionalSessionRecords whether the user was automatically redirected to a language specific URL in their current session.
chat_hiddenFunctional1 yearControls the visibility of the live chat window.
chat_trigger_hiddenFunctional1 yearControls the visibility of the large live chat trigger.
tutorialFunctional1 yearStores the state of the user's tutorial/guided tour.
utc-offsetFunctional1 yearStores the browser's time-zone offset relative to UTC.
first_session_hashFunctional1 yearStores a hash of the user's first session_id to indicate where they are a returning user.
session_requestsFunctionalSessionStores the number of page requests in the user's session.
upgrade_browserFunctional1 yearDetermines whether a user has been shown a warning about their browser.
referralFunctional1 yearStores the referral source if the user was referred using another user's referral link.
non_essential_cookiesPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether or not we can store non-essential cookies.
visitor_analyticsPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether or not we can record their visits in Google Analytics and Alexa.
cookie_settings_closedFunctional1 yearStores the state of the privacy settings pop-up.

-1.3.Non-essential cookies

NameTypeExpirationPurpose
chat_activeFunctional1 yearControls the visibility of the live chat window when the page firsts loads.
chat_idFunctional1 yearContains a unique identifier to enable our support staff to link chats between sessions.
google_mapsPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether or not we can load JavaScript from Google Inc. to load Google Maps in the user's browser.
google_chartsPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether or not we can load JavaScript from Google Inc. to load interactive charts in the user's browser.
youtube_videosPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether or not we can load JavaScript from YouTube Inc. to load YouTube videos in the user's browser.
front_chatPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether or not we can load JavaScript from FrontApp.com Inc. to load live chat in the user's browser.
api_accessPreference1 yearStores the user's preference as to whether or not they consented to sharing their account data with a third-party application.

-1.4.Third-party cookies

NameTypeCreated byExpirationPurpose
__ascAnalyticalAlexa1 yearUsed to track and report visitor information to the Alexa analytics service.
__aucAnalyticalAlexa1 yearUsed to track and report visitor information to the Alexa analytics service.
_gaAnalyticalGoogle2 yearsGoogle Analytics cookie used to distinguish users.
_gatFunctionalGoogle1 minuteGoogle Analytics cookie used to throttles number of requests received by users.
_gidAnalyticalGoogle24 hoursGoogle Analytics cookie used to distinguish users.
fluidFunctionalFrontAppSessionFrontApp cookie used to identify the user during a live chat session.
flecFunctionalFrontAppSessionFrontApp cookie used to remember whether the user has provided their email address.
flcidFunctionalFrontAppSessionFrontApp cookie used to identify the live chat session.
flaidFunctionalFrontAppSessionFrontApp cookie used to identify the live chat application.
__jidFunctionalDisqusSessionUsed to remember the user's Disqus login credentials across websites that use Disqus.
__utmaAnalyticalDisqus2 yearsStores the number of times a user has visited the website as well as the first and last visit dates.
__utmbAnalyticalDisqusSessionStores the time when the user accessed the website.
__utmcAnalyticalDisqusSessionStores the time when the user leaves the website.
csrftokenFunctionalDisqus1 yearHelps to prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks.

-1.5.Opting-out of cookies

You can't choose to opt-out of all of the cookies, as some are required for Findmyshift to function, but you can opt-out of the non-essential cookies by updating your privacy settings.

-1.6.Disabling cookies

You can always disable cookies in your browser, but you'll find a lot of website (ours included) will not function correctly. Cookies are particularly important on Findmyshift as without them we won't be able to keep you logged in.
The method by which you disable cookies will depend on which internet browser you are using (for example, Chrome or Internet Explorer) but are generally covered by advanced “Privacy”, “Security”, or “Site” settings. More information about how to disable cookies can be found in this wikiHow guide.