Reduce Headaches with Shift Scheduling Software
Posted on February 2, 2011Allocating shifts to employees manually is stressful and time consuming. However when schedules are made using shift scheduling software the task is easy.
If a computer creates the shift schedule this removes all likelihood of human error in the schedule. The software means a lot of time is saved for the administration staff. A schedule can be generated within minutes rather than the possible hours it took before manually.
Your staff can enter the times they can work in the next few weeks. Employees are then only given shifts when they are not busy. The shift manager then enters the lists of shifts in the next schedule. A past shift schedule can be used as a template if it is similar to the schedule for the next week. For each shift the software requires information on the amount of employees to work the shift, the start and end times and the type of the employee needed. The system will then produce a shift schedule within a matter of minutes. The shift manager can make manual changes to the schedule if needed before it is released.
The shift schedule can be easily changed through the web based interface. If an employee enters the hours they are available to work, they cannot be transferred or allocated a shift they cannot work.
Having the computer shift schedule web based means it can be accessed from any internet connected PC. Staff may have had to phone their workplace or even go in to find out when they are next working. The schedule can now easily be checked from home. If the employee loses the schedule they are given they can easily check online.
In some workplaces there is a problem with employees forgetting their shifts or being late. In some shift schedulers reminders can be sent to employees via text message of their next shift. The amount of employees turning up late drops significantly.
The software can also be used to manage the time off taken by employees. The manager has control over whether the requests for day off are accepted or not. This decision may be based on whether there are many other employees taking days off at that time. If an employee successfully gets time off they are automatically removed from the shift schedule.
The better shift scheduling software will allow employees to ‘bid’ for what shifts they would like. If an employee can have control over what shifts they are given it is likely they will be pleased with the end result. If more employees than needed bid for the shift it is given to the employees that have the highest rating. The employee ranking can be manually assigned by the manager and may be based upon if they are a hard worker or if they have been employed for a long time.
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