> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.visualcare.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Alternative compliance

> How alternative compliance items work with the compliance blocker in Visualcare

Alternative compliance allows you to designate substitute compliance items that satisfy a requirement when the primary compliance is not held by a worker. This works in conjunction with the compliance blocker feature to control whether workers can be rostered without meeting compliance requirements.

## How it works

When the **compliance blocker** is turned on, Visualcare checks each worker's compliance before allowing them to be rostered. If a worker does not hold a required compliance but has a configured alternative compliance, the system treats the worker as compliant.

| Scenario                                   | Compliance blocker ON  | Compliance blocker OFF |
| ------------------------------------------ | ---------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Worker has the required compliance         | Passes check           | Check skipped          |
| Worker lacks required but has alternative  | Passes check           | Check skipped          |
| Worker lacks both required and alternative | Blocked from rostering | Check skipped          |

<Note>When the compliance blocker is off or the worker profile is set to **Flexible**, the system skips compliance checks entirely. Alternative compliances are only evaluated when the blocker is active and a required compliance is being checked.</Note>

## Configuring alternative compliance

1. Go to **Maintenance** → **Workers** → **Worker Compliance**
2. Select the primary compliance item
3. In the **Alternative Compliance** field, select the item that can substitute for the primary
4. Click **Save**

When a worker's compliance is evaluated during rostering, the system checks for the primary item first. If the primary is not held, it then checks for any configured alternatives before blocking.

## Running into issues?

See [General troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/general) for common errors and fixes.

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Managing worker compliance" icon="clipboard-check" href="/worker-management/managing-worker-compliance">
    Set up and manage compliance items for workers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compliance workflows and settings" icon="gear" href="/worker-management/compliance-workflows-and-settings">
    Configure compliance workflows, reminders, and blocker settings
  </Card>
</CardGroup>