Is Your Current Approach to Employee Scheduling Costing You Money?

If it isn’t already, workforce scheduling automation should be a top priority in your digital transformation journey. The right workforce scheduling software can significantly improve productivity by improving the allocation of resources and personnel, leading to substantial cost savings.  

As organizations grow, scheduling complexity increases. Automated scheduling solutions are scalable and can handle the complexities of larger workforces, multiple locations, and varying operational demands. They offer flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and can integrate with other business tools for seamless operations. 

Understanding your scheduling needs is a critical first step that involves evaluating your current processes, finding functional gaps, and prioritizing your needs. Here are three essential questions to guide your evaluation. 

Can You Adapt Quickly to Changing Conditions? 

The business climate can change quickly. In recent years, the near-constant changing demands of socio-political turmoil have disrupted business operations globally, leading to significant financial and operational challenges. Disruption comes from various sources, too—local, global, natural, and human-made. Disruptions can also present opportunities, such as acquisitions or new product developments.  

The ability to pivot quickly is crucial, and workforce management software provides reliable data and technology to forecast demand accurately and plan the labor mix effectively. The right technology at your fingertips lets you evaluate data in minutes instead of days, enabling timely and strategic responses. 

Are Your Staffing Levels Optimal? 

Effective staffing means balancing productivity, costs, and engagement. The goal should be to assign the right people at the right time. However, labor shortages or sudden absences can leave shifts unfilled. With the right automated employee scheduling solution, you can automatically assign an employee with the appropriate skills when shifts become available.  

Sometimes, simply assigning employees with matching skills may not always be possible. If scheduling practices are too focused on hard skills, such as training and certifications or years on the job, it may limit opportunities to develop less experienced individuals into top performers.  

Finding the right employees who have a can-do attitude, leadership qualities, and reliability makes them candidates for learning new skills. Tapping into these under-utilized resources can spur growth rather than just continue with the status quo.  

When this works, it can lead to an increase in productivity, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.  

Consider if your current workforce scheduling practices support the following: 

• Career development plans include cross-training opportunities while still ensuring top performers are available when you need them 
• Avoids over and under-staffing to keep labor costs in line with productivity standards and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)  
• Aligns with your growth strategy while keeping the momentum of having the right person in the right place at the right time 
• Enables a positive feedback loop by enabling recognition programs that show appreciation for positive attendance patterns  

Workforce scheduling software can help strike this balance by ensuring you have top performers where and when you need them while supporting career growth and maintaining employee engagement. 

What is the Impact of Scheduling on Employee Engagement? 

Outdated, manual scheduling methods are often prone to error and can harm employee engagement and increase turnover. Addressing issues like work/life balance and equitable scheduling practices is essential. Our 2023 Employee Experience Study findings show that 79% of dissatisfied employees want to work for an employer that offers scheduling flexibility, and 73% are willing to leave their current jobs to find an employer who does.  

Monitor attendance patterns to identify potential engagement issues proactively. To attract and retain top talent, you need to give employees an opportunity to manage personal obligations and rejuvenate with rest or pursuit of interests and hobbies outside of work.  

You also need to ensure scheduling practices are fair and that employee perceptions are favorable. Employee scheduling solutions leverage workforce data to allow for a more proactive approach. High occurrences or repeating patterns of unplanned absences, late arrivals, and early departures can serve as early signs that an employee may be disengaged or unable to plan their personal responsibilities and pursuits around their work obligations. 

These are some questions to help determine if it’s time to re-imagine your scheduling methods:  

• Are schedules published far enough in advance to reconcile personal and work obligations? 
• Is opportunity for overtime offered equitably? 
• Is there sufficient time for rest between shifts? 
• Are desirable days off distributed fairly? 

The Next Step – Finding the Right Approach  

Each organization has unique needs based on industry and structure. Employee scheduling software can be tailored to fit these unique requirements, ensuring that your scheduling practices are both efficient and effective. Moving forward with a system that not only meets your current demands but also adapts to future challenges is crucial.  

Implementing automated scheduling technology is more than just a move toward efficiency; it’s a strategic decision that supports dynamic workforce management, nurtures a positive work environment, and aligns with your long-term business goals. By prioritizing this in your digital transformation journey, you’ll secure a robust foundation for sustainable growth, agility, and competitive advantage. 

Discover how the right workforce scheduling solution can help you save money and promote greater work-life balance for your employees.