How to Build an Employee-Friendly Workforce Schedule in 2022 – in 6 Steps

2022’s managers have an ongoing headache when it comes to keeping their employees happy, focused, and productive. 

From employee fatigue, time off requests, budget setting, scheduling needs and beyond (and that’s only the issues you might be able to anticipate), it just seems there’s an ever-growing list of tasks and considerations…when all you want is to have a happy and present workforce. 

But, things can go wrong very, very quickly…and yet, it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Building an employee work schedule can be easy, quick, and can keep your team as happy as can be! 

Here’s how, in just 6 steps. 

1. Keep It Accurate 

Building employee schedules is complicated enough, but one thing that can doom you even before you start is your lack of accuracy. 

You need to be as accurate as possible in terms of how many hours your staff need to be at work to get the job completed, as well as any potential time off (planned and unplanned). 

You should also take into consideration any upcoming national holidays, sales and business growth, all of which can and will affect your staffing. 

2. It’s All About Balance 

As with anything, balance is key. That means you need to take into consideration who’s an experienced hire and who’s inexperienced, and make sure you have enough of each to allow for a smooth operation with each shift. 

3. Automate Everything You Can 

There’s no need to do things manually when there’s an app for that! You can easily plan and deploy your workforce schedules via an employee scheduling app! That means, you can see all scheduling conflicts, avoid any overtime, double-shifts and eliminate the potential for no-shows! 

(The above mentioned app, Connecteam, even has a Free Forever plan, or a 14-day free trial, starting at just $39 per month for up to 50 employees). 

4. Finish In Advance

You need time to make sure your schedule is water tight. It’s not something you can leave to the last minute, and in fact, some US states even have laws stating the managers need to have schedules ready up to 2 weeks before they’re due to be implemented. 

This is common courtesy, not to mention, an easier way to instil a sense of respect towards you. 

5. Consider Every Employee

It’s a good idea anyway to get to know your employees, but you can go the extra mile to really take your employees’ lives into consideration: for example, employees with young children might want earlier-starting shifts to allow them to pick up their kids from school on time, while students might prefer night or weekend shift options. 

6. Easy Shift Changes

Your employees might naturally decide between them that they’d like to swap or change their shifts, and you should make this an easy process for them to do. It’s important to remain flexible and understanding…so long as the shift is fulfilled!  Remember to keep your shift-swap procedures clear to prevent any confusion and, worst of all, no shows to work. 

Workforce Scheduling: It Doesn’t Need to Be a Headache 

Building employee work schedules doesn’t have to be a nightmare. In fact, what once took you a long time to accomplish, can be planned and deployed in a matter of minutes if you know what you’re doing. 

Remember, your business lives and dies by your employees (as well as a few other things!), but if you don’t have your frontline staff onboard, engaged and happy, then you might as well go back to the drawing board. 

Check out and practice the 6 steps outlined above, to really take into consideration your employees’ needs, and then plan a work schedule that will suit them as well as you. 

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