Overtime Pay: A Tax-Free Future on the Horizon?
Washington is buzzing with proposals that could fundamentally change how overtime pay is taxed, carrying significant implications for both employees and businesses across the nation. A recent House-passed bill, part of a larger Republican-backed package, proposes to make overtime earnings exempt from federal income tax for a temporary period (2025-2028). While this bill still needs … Continue reading “Overtime Pay: A Tax-Free Future on the Horizon? “
The 32-Hour Workweek: What It Means for 24/7 Manufacturing
How can a 24/7 operation maintain full coverage and control labor costs if every hour beyond 32 requires overtime pay?
Management By Walking Around: A Tale of Two Plants
Two plants took completely different approaches to leadership. One hums like clockwork. The other scrambles to stay on track. Curious what made the difference? A few years ago, I visited a food manufacturing plant where the HR manager’s office was tucked away behind a reception area. The door had a glass window—but it had been … Continue reading “Management By Walking Around: A Tale of Two Plants”
Surviving the Tariff Turbulence
How Smart Shift Scheduling Can Protect U.S. Manufacturers Trade tensions are heating up again, and U.S. manufacturers are feeling the pressure. With tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other key imports driving up costs and supply chain disruptions causing delays, uncertainty is at an all-time high. How do you keep production steady while managing workforce stability … Continue reading “Surviving the Tariff Turbulence”
Non-wage Solutions to Rising Wage Pressure
Unable to compete on wages, HR managers in manufacturing need alternative ways to attract quality employees. This post discusses non-wage solutions for controlling costs, reducing turnover, and keeping employees engaged. Back when we were recovering from the Great Recession, we all knew this was coming. We watched and cheered as unemployment numbers dropped, month after … Continue reading “Non-wage Solutions to Rising Wage Pressure”
12 Symptoms You May Not Know Are Connected
Business Leaders and Managers regularly scan the health of their organizations. Even the most well-run businesses are embedded in a complex ecosystem with many influencing factors. Certain sub-optimal signals and symptoms may show up from time to time. When this happens, managers first look for the root cause – often buried among multiple signals – … Continue reading “12 Symptoms You May Not Know Are Connected”
Boosting ROI in Shiftwork Scheduling Projects
Understanding the return on investment (ROI) for any project is critical when evaluating whether it is a smart decision. The key to accurate ROI calculation lies in thoroughly assessing costs, risks, and benefits as an interconnected whole—though this process is rarely straightforward. Take this scenario: a company struggles to meet production goals. One option is … Continue reading “Boosting ROI in Shiftwork Scheduling Projects”
On-Call Systems: The Key to Seamless 12-Hour Shift Coverage
Unexpected absences happen, but your operations don’t have to come to a halt because of them. A well-designed on-call system can ensure business continuity by filling those last-minute gaps efficiently. Whether you manage a plant, or any operation with round-the-clock demands, on-call systems offer a reliable safety net. What is an On-Call System? An on-call system … Continue reading “On-Call Systems: The Key to Seamless 12-Hour Shift Coverage”
Understanding the Compressed Work Week: A smart strategy for enhanced staffing and scheduling.
Compressed Work Week (CWW) schedules are gaining popularity in various industries for their ability to provide employees with more time off while maintaining or even enhancing operational efficiency. But is this model right for your business? In this article, we will explore how CWWs work, their benefits and drawbacks, and provide some real-world scenarios to … Continue reading “Understanding the Compressed Work Week: A smart strategy for enhanced staffing and scheduling.”
What is the best schedule?
Answer from Ethan Franklin: While traveling to a client last week, the person sitting next to me on the plane asked me what I do for work. When I explained that I help companies and employees find and implement the best schedule, they immediately asked: So, what is the best schedule? I have been asked … Continue reading “What is the best schedule?”