Now that Labor Day is past and as summer completes its wind down, how can you adjust your company’s staffing schedule so it still works for both your business and your employees? Seasonal shifts are something organization’s always have to take into account, but is your company as prepared as they should be?
You need to make sure this happens so you can:
- Safeguard against under or overstaffing,
- Promote work/life balance,
- Prevent burnout,
- Avoid high turnover,
- Clearly define employment costs, and
- Forecast future staffing needs.
This month – or anytime during the year – there are steps you can take to optimize staffing and deal seamlessly with seasonal shifts.
Know your employees.
First things first. As you develop your year-round staffing plans, determine the specific needs of each of your employees. Understand their different skills, availability, and preferences. This will help you assign suitable work shifts and tasks to ensure maximum productivity and job satisfaction.
Give people a say.
Not surprisingly, research has shown that giving employees a say in their scheduling is beneficial to businesses – yet there tends to be a gap between how C-suite executives perceive their employees’ well-being and how employees themselves report their experiences.
- Actively listen to your employees when it comes to their schedules. It’s a major factor in essential work/life balance. Encourage them to express their ideal shift times, time-off requests, and any related constraints – and take this information into consideration when you finalize your plans.
It all comes down to flexibility.
Make flexibility your mantra – in scheduling and in your overall mindset. Remember the old saying “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans?” Just as customer demands and business issues may require you to pivot unexpectedly, so may illnesses, family emergencies, or other unexpected occurrences in the lives of your team members.
- Implement flexible scheduling policies as much as possible. You may want to consider scheduling software to help with this process. Establish clear policies and procedures for requesting schedule changes, and encourage employees to give notice as early as possible when they need time off. At the same time, be prepared for those inevitable last-minute adjustments.
Communication is key.
Don’t assume everyone knows and understands your staffing plans, processes, and protocols. Err on the side of overcommunication when it comes to this vital topic.
- Make schedules and policies readily accessible to all. When and where to access this information may seem like a no brainer, but it’s not. Staying on top of this task will allow ample time for employees to request any needed modifications.
As an added bonus, this sets a precedent for clear communication on other topics. It also shows that you value your employees and their time and well-being. So in essence, it helps solidify and perfect your employer brand.
Utilize creative solutions.
Among the creative – and immediately effective – solutions to seasonal staffing fluctuations are temporary employees, who can step in on short notice and fill any gaps that occur so you achieve a seamless flow of production and productivity. To learn more about temporary and overall staffing solutions, contact PrideStaff Modesto today.
