Most can allow multiple availabilities a standard availability which is the broadest time frame when the employee can work, and a preferred availability that narrows the scheduling window when possible to give the most ideal schedule to the employee. Today’s systems are far more flexible than the first systems developed. But, the system can also look to improve many quality of life issues for employees. With the computerized schedule the emotion of scheduling is taken out of the picture, it puts labor where labor is needed and is extremely efficient in doing so.
Some of these schedules take hours or even days to complete but, in the end, the scheduler is happy because he or she has the control to assign schedules as they please.Īuto or computerized scheduling uses your businesses metrics, sales, items, customers, load sizes, labor tasks, etc., and comes up with the best times and people to schedule shifts. It also gives them control of the distribution of hours between employees, days off, rotations, nights, weekends and holidays. Using manual scheduling, managers can keep their favorites getting the shifts that they prefer to get regardless of whether the assignment involves the right person or the right time. Many long term employees think that manual scheduling is the best system it gives the managers complete control over who, when, and why an employee is scheduled. Manual scheduling is the tedious process of trying to place the right people, at the right time, doing the right tasks. While the concern is understandable, once you take the time to weigh the options the merits of a system based approach should win them over.
Some employees have spent years of service working their way into a position where they have more control over their schedules. With so many companies going to automated scheduling, the question many managers will be asking is, “How do I get the people I want, at the times I need them scheduled?” Putting this key management function in the control of a system can make even the most seasoned employees nervous.