Although employee scheduling seems fairly simple in concept, it is actually a very complex process, especially for large corporations.
Large companies must simultaneously create and manage a large volume of employee work schedules. Not only does your business need to keep labor costs low, but it also needs to avoid labor violations, all while keeping your staff members as satisfied and productive as possible.
Employees are your business’s biggest investment and asset. Proper employee scheduling will optimize both employee productivity and your business results.
In fact, stable employee scheduling can increase productivity by 5%, while average sales increase by 7%. With an ever-expanding global market, stable employee scheduling benefits can provide your corporation with a competitive advantage.
Companies must manage last minute schedule changes that occur due to employee illnesses or emergencies, in addition to providing employees with specific hours based on their availability. Changes in customer traffic or even the weather can further complicate the employee scheduling process.
Unlike a small business owner who may only be working a handful of employee schedules, large companies need designated staff on staff to ensure that their employee scheduling process is effective and efficient.
Traditionally, the scheduling process in large companies is managed by managers, and sometimes human resources departments will help you.
Your human resources department has a special interest in employee scheduling, as inappropriate employee schedules result in disastrous consequences for your business.
Potential employee and customer dissatisfaction resulting from improper employee scheduling can be costly and time-consuming for your HR department to address and mitigate.
Instead of your HR team having to manage the consequences of employee scheduling errors, your efforts would be better used to streamline your employee scheduling process together with your managers.
Fortunately, in addition to your human resources team helping with the scheduling process, there are many scheduling software solutions available for large companies to invest in.
The scheduling software will not only optimize the time employees spend working on your business, it can also avoid unnecessary labor costs and labor violations.
Different types of work schedules
There are many different types of employee schedules ranging from full time employees to shift schedule employees. Large companies often use a combination of different types of employee schedules based on business needs and the availability or preference of employees.
Full-time:
A full-time employee works between 37 and 40 hours each weekly time period. Full-time employees often have fixed work hours and workdays. Full-time employees can be paid on a salaried or hourly basis. If a full-time employee is paid by the hour, it is especially important to analyze time attendance and work hours to ensure that overtime costs or labor violations are avoided.
Due to the fact that these employees work so many hours each week, they are often entitled to employee benefits from their business. Your managers and human resources department must understand what benefits full-time employees are qualified for and factor these benefits into your company’s labor cost budget.
Part-time:
A part-time employee works less than 36 hours each weekly scheduled period of time. Unlike full-time employees, part-time workers typically do not have fixed working hours or work days.
Offering part-time job opportunities can be beneficial to both a company and its employees. Some employees have other obligations ranging from childcare to alternative employment that only allow them to work a certain number of hours per week. Companies can also lower labor costs by not having to provide the same benefits to part-time employees as they do to full-time workers.
Shift:
A shift employee generally has non-traditional work hours scheduled in the morning, afternoon, evening and night shifts. A night or night shift schedule may be preferable to workers who have other obligations, such as education or additional employment.
A shift schedule can have fixed work days or hours or it can rotate depending on business and employee needs.
Compressed:
A compressed employee work schedule consists of an employee who works the same number of work hours but for fewer days. Although the time employees spend is the same working hour, the number of days they work is reduced, which can be attractive to many workers who prefer more days off. For this type of employee scheduling, make sure your human resources department and your managers are aware of any additional labor costs or possible labor violations.
Finally, scheduling is one of the important factors in the company’s progress because it ensures that each sector works optimally.
