In these unstable times, it can be difficult to figure out how to offer consistent work schedules to full- and part-time employees. However, a stable and consistent schedule is an important aspect of a business’s success and of employee loyalty. Having a clear routine and regiment allows employees to manage their time in ways that bolster the business. It also means that employees don’t need to worry about picking up another job or being uncertain where their time will be required in the upcoming weeks. Whether you are trying to determine a permanent routine or a temporary schedule, harnessing strategies that prioritize clarity and cohesion is key. Follow these tips to offer stable and consistent scheduling to your employees.
Determine Tasks and Goals
The first thing your business will need to do to offer stable and consistent scheduling is determine your tasks and goals. You probably already know that trying to assemble a schedule without a clear direction is both troubling and overwhelming. Assess what your goals for the business are in both the near and distant future. These goals may include things like retaining employees during a pandemic or keeping profits stable. By doing so, you can better calculate how long it will take to reach those goals. For example, you may determine that a certain project will take three months to complete. Then, you can create a timetable based on when you want to reach certain milestones involving the project.
Create a Team
Create a team that specifically is tasked with creating schedules to reduce your workload. In the past, you might have sat down to craft a schedule and sped through the process. While you may have made substantial progress and developed a suitable schedule, you may also have noticed issues that came into fruition down the line. For example, perhaps one component of the project took much longer than expected. To reduce the chances of such problems in the future, put together a team responsible for making schedules. Having the perspective of another person or a few colleagues, depending upon the size of your business, can help you all to better see potential problems before they come into fruition. Taking the time to hammer out the schedule before problems arise will help make everything move smoother further down your timeline.
Opt for Scheduling Software
Another way to better organize your schedule is through scheduling software help and consulting. Brainstorming some notes by hand is a method that many efficient workers use to get started. When it comes to putting those notes into a professional format, however, turn to software. Using digital tools for a schedule can allow you to make easy revisions to your work. Also, this format permits employees to readily see their schedules in a consumable format. Further, you can work with your chosen IT consulting entity about features that allow employees to request time off or clock into work using the software. Take advantage of IT offerings and software to simplify and streamline your process.
Set Clear Guidelines
Managing a schedule can become a challenging task when you don’t have guidelines in place for requesting time off from work or switching shifts. Establish clear protocols. For example, you might have a team of people to whom employees should direct their time-off requests. You may establish a policy indicating that employees cannot switch shifts without approval. Also, make clear who is permitted access to the schedule.
Whether you’ve always had a rather murky scheduling or you’re trying to return to a time when clarity was key, putting specific strategies to use can help. Proper scheduling techniques can provide your entire workplace with a stronger sense of stability and productivity.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan