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The Empuls Glossary

Glossary of Human Resources Management and Employee Benefit Terms

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Employee Schedule

Employee schedule is an overview of the duties and responsibilities expected. It includes key details on the tasks assigned for every activity, helping management undertake certain measures in improving employee productivity and performance.

What is an employee schedule?

An employee schedule is a timetable that outlines when each employee is expected to work. It typically includes the start and end times of shifts, days off, breaks, and any rotating work schedules. The schedule helps ensure that there are enough staff members present at all times to meet the needs of the business.

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Who is responsible for creating and managing employee schedules?

The responsibility for creating and managing the employee schedule typically falls to managers or supervisors. They need to balance the needs of the business with the needs and availability of the employees. In some cases, a dedicated scheduling manager or HR personnel may be responsible for this task.

What factors are considered when creating an employee schedule?

Several factors are considered when creating an employee schedule. These include the operational needs of the business, the roles and responsibilities of each employee, the availability of each employee, employee skills and experience, and legal requirements related to work hours and rest periods. Employee preferences for certain shifts or days off may also be taken into account.

Why is a well-planned employee schedule important?

A well-planned employee schedule is important for several reasons. It ensures that there are enough employees present at all times to meet the needs of the business. It helps prevent employee burnout by ensuring that workloads are evenly distributed. It also helps employees balance their work and personal life by allowing them to plan around their work schedule.

How is an employee schedule created?

An employee schedule is created based on the operational needs of the business, the roles and responsibilities of each employee, and the availability of each employee. Managers or supervisors typically create the schedule, taking into account factors such as employee skills, shift preferences, and legal requirements related to work hours and rest periods.

How can an employee schedule affect productivity?

An employee schedule can significantly affect productivity. A well-planned schedule ensures that there are enough employees present at all times to meet the needs of the business, which can help prevent delays and improve service quality. It can also affect employee morale and job satisfaction - employees who have predictable schedules and a good work-life balance are likely to be more motivated and productive.

Employee pulse surveys:

These are short surveys that can be sent frequently to check what your employees think about an issue quickly. The survey comprises fewer questions (not more than 10) to get the information quickly. These can be administered at regular intervals (monthly/weekly/quarterly).

One-on-one meetings:

Having periodic, hour-long meetings for an informal chat with every team member is an excellent way to get a true sense of what’s happening with them. Since it is a safe and private conversation, it helps you get better details about an issue.

eNPS:

eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) is one of the simplest yet effective ways to assess your employee's opinion of your company. It includes one intriguing question that gauges loyalty. An example of eNPS questions include: How likely are you to recommend our company to others? Employees respond to the eNPS survey on a scale of 1-10, where 10 denotes they are ‘highly likely’ to recommend the company and 1 signifies they are ‘highly unlikely’ to recommend it.

Based on the responses, employees can be placed in three different categories:

  • Promoters
    Employees who have responded positively or agreed.
  • Detractors
    Employees who have reacted negatively or disagreed.
  • Passives
    Employees who have stayed neutral with their responses.

What is employee scheduling best practices?

Creating efficient and fair employee schedules is key to a happy and productive workforce. Here are some best practices to follow:

  • Consider workload and skills: Match employee skills and experience to the demands of the shift. Avoid overloading individuals or underutilizing talent.
  • Account for availability: Factor in employee preferences and pre-existing commitments when creating schedules. Utilize employee availability tools to avoid conflicts.
  • Plan ahead: Use historical data and forecasts to anticipate staffing needs for upcoming periods. This helps ensure adequate coverage during peak times.
  • Balance fairness and preferences: Strive to create fair schedules that distribute shifts evenly among qualified employees. Consider seniority and preferences when possible.
  • Communicate clearly: Publish schedules well in advance and ensure all employees have easy access to them. Encourage open communication about scheduling concerns.
  • Embrace flexibility: Allow for some flexibility in scheduling, such as shift swaps or time-off requests, to accommodate employee needs and unexpected situations.
  • Utilize technology: Consider using free or paid employee scheduling software to streamline the process. These tools can automate tasks, improve communication, and track availability.

Give examples of free employee scheduling software?

Several free employee scheduling software options can simplify your workflow. Here are a few with notable features:

  • Shifts by Everhour: This software offers an intuitive interface for creating and managing schedules. It includes features for availability management, time tracking, and payroll integration (free for a limited number of users).
  • Connecteam: This free plan allows for scheduling, task management, and communication within teams. It includes customizable templates, checklists, and employee mobile app access.
  • Homebase: While the free plan has limitations, it offers basic scheduling, time tracking, and GPS features suitable for smaller teams with hourly workers.
  • Zoho People: This free tier provides basic scheduling functionalities for small businesses. It allows managing employee information, leave requests, and basic shift assignments.
  • When I Work: This free plan focuses on scheduling and time tracking. It offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop scheduling and employee mobile app access (limited features).

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