Reclaiming Time: A Recap of the Ending the Tyranny of Time Clocks’ Webinar

The reality of modern working life is complex. For many, the traditional 9-5 work model is as outdated as the office time clock. WorkForce Software’s recent webinar, hosted by Sandra Moran and Dr Steven Hunt, offered a deep dive into how modern self-scheduling technology redefines work-life balance.

Work schedules might seem like a minute detail in the grand scheme of business operations, but they profoundly influence employee experience (EX). When an organization controls a person’s time, it essentially wields control over their lives. Modern scheduling technology puts the power back in the hands of the employees, leading to a more empowered and engaged workforce.

The Changing Workforce Landscape

Workforce demographics are shifting. People live longer and have fewer children, and the economic size is growing, adding more jobs. This shift has led to significant labor shortages, not due to a lack of willing people but because traditional work models no longer fit into people’s lives.

A massive influencer in this shift is the current imbalance between work and personal life. Overwhelmed by family commitments, multiple job responsibilities, commuting issues and more, employees find it increasingly challenging to stick to rigid work schedules. As a result, organizations that offer flexibility and control over work schedules are more likely to retain their talent.

While this flexibility was widely adopted via remote and flexible work options offered to corporate and desked employees, the same options for flexible schedules are not provided for frontline and deskless workers – yet.  In the war for talent, this will become a necessity and for those who are able to accommodate it, an advantage for companies who are unable to support it.

Bridging the Experience Gap

The ‘Workforce Experience Gap’ is the disconnect between employers’ and employees’ perceptions of work needs. According to the 2021 report, there was a significant difference between the views of managers and deskless shift workers on scheduling and flexibility.

Organizations have started to recognize this discrepancy. In 2022, the gap narrowed as employers became more aware of their scheduling inefficiencies. However, recognizing the problem and implementing changes are two different things. The correct technology is needed to bridge this gap effectively.

Technology: The Future of Employee Scheduling

Technology plays a crucial role in overcoming scheduling barriers. To accommodate evolving work-life dynamics, modern workforce scheduling must offer the following:

• Transparency: Visibility into time worked, pay earned, and benefits accrued.
• Clarity: Detailed information on when and where employees are needed.
• Consistency: Clearly defined criteria for scheduling decisions.
• Accessibility: Mobile and remote access to work scheduling systems.
• Influence: The ability for employees to influence shift schedules and make changes.

Leveraging Technology to Improve Scheduling and Workforce Costs

With the right technology, organizations can automate scheduling decisions based on real-time information about employees even when complex regulatory or union rules exist, improving the employee experience and optimizing workforce costs. Smarter scheduling can reduce overtime and unplanned labor costs, a significant source of savings.

Digital natives will form 75% of the workforce by 2025. Organizations that leverage technology to manage and engage this workforce stand to gain a significant competitive advantage over those still relying on manual, outdated processes.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the tyranny of the time clock is ending. It’s time to break free from the constraints of rigid scheduling and embrace a more flexible, tech-driven approach to managing work and time. The future of work lies in giving employees control over their schedules, improving well-being, and optimizing business operations.

Watch the full webinar here, and to start building your case for a better employee experience, read the Workforce Experience Activation Guide.