Problem

When you delete a group in Everbridge Suite that is linked to a staffing shift, all staffing layers in that shift will be removed—even if other groups remain linked to the shift. This means that deleting a single group can inadvertently cause you to lose your entire staffing layer configuration, including escalation processes, minimum staff requirements, rotation schedules, substitutions, and replacements.

Root Cause

Everbridge Suite is designed to maintain consistency in staffing setup by removing all layers when any group associated with a shift is deleted. This behavior prevents configuration conflicts and errors that could occur if a partial group removal left incomplete staffing layer definitions. The system prioritizes data integrity by clearing the entire layer structure rather than allowing incomplete or potentially invalid configurations to remain.

Solution

Option 1: Archive the Group (Recommended)

The safest approach is to archive the group instead of deleting it. Archiving preserves your staffing layers while removing the group from active use:

1. Navigate to Contacts > Groups

2. Select the group you want to remove from active use

3. Choose the archive option

4. Confirm the action

Benefits of archiving:

• Preserves the group in your system

• Prevents removal of staffing layers

• Allows you to restore the group if needed in the future

• Maintains all shift configurations intact

Option 2: Delete with Proper Planning

If you must delete the group, follow these steps to minimize disruption:

1. Document your current configuration: Record all staffing layer details including member assignments, rotation schedules, and escalation settings

2. Check for linked shifts: Navigate to your calendar configuration and review shift details to identify all shifts linked to the group

3. Plan your reconfiguration: Prepare the information you'll need to rebuild the layers

4. Schedule the deletion: Choose a time when the impact on operations will be minimal

5. Proceed with deletion: Delete the group from Contacts > Groups

   • Review the confirmation warning: "If the group or any of its members are assigned to staffing layers in a shift, all staffing layers in the shift will be removed."

   • Confirm you understand the full scope of the action

6. Reconfigure staffing layers: Use your documented configuration to rebuild your staffing layers

7. Conduct post-deletion review:

   • Review your calendar to confirm staffing layer status

   • Verify that layers have been reconfigured as needed

   • Test your shift configurations to ensure proper functionality

   • Verify that escalation and rotation processes work as expected

Workaround

Currently, Everbridge Suite does not support partial layer deletion—the ability to remove only the deleted group's contacts from staffing layers while keeping the layers themselves intact. If you need this capability, consider submitting an enhancement request through one of these channels:

• Contact your account manager

• Submit an enhancement request.

By documenting your configuration before deletion and systematically rebuilding layers afterward, you can successfully manage group deletion while maintaining control over your staffing setup.