Best practices in shiftwork operations (Part 5 of 6)

Actively look for way for the workforce to make decisions about their job.  In most cases, an hourly worker knows more about how to do their job than their supervisor.  This makes them an excellent source of ideas for improvement.  Additionally, like all of us, shift workers are more likely to support an idea that … Continue reading “Best practices in shiftwork operations (Part 5 of 6)”

What does work-life balance mean to your employees?

If you have 400 employees, you have around 400 different opinions about what constitutes a good work-life balance. So, how do you go about identifying which ones are the most crucial and what is your plan of action going forward, to address these issues? After more than 30 years of working with shift workers and … Continue reading “What does work-life balance mean to your employees?”

A message to the shift worker

The question of when and how to address workers before a change can be challenging. One of the main reasons companies come to Shiftwork Solutions for help is our reputation for engaging the workforce ─ before a shift schedule change takes place. However, there is always the question of “How should we first introduce Shiftwork … Continue reading “A message to the shift worker”

Make Flexible Scheduling part of your Shiftwork Operation

During the pandemic, many companies have found that flexible scheduling ideas such as work-from-home, helped them to attract and retain valuable employees. A neat trick during a tight labor market if you can pull it off. However, for many companies with production lines on-site, work-from-home is not feasible. Does this mean flexible scheduling is not … Continue reading “Make Flexible Scheduling part of your Shiftwork Operation”

Is it possible to implement multiple schedules at one site?

One of the most common questions we hear from our clients at Shiftwork Solutions is, “Can we implement more than one schedule?” The answer is yes!  This may be the best solution for several reasons, but it comes with caveats. More schedules mean more complexity. The complexity must be evaluated on a risk v. reward … Continue reading “Is it possible to implement multiple schedules at one site?”

Best Practices in Shift Work Operations (Part 3 of 6)

Don’t assume a 15-minute change in shift times is “no big deal”. Managers judge a schedule by “the coverage it provides.”  Shift workers, on the other hand, judge a schedule by “the time off it provides.”  In other words, they are looking at the type of lifestyle they can carve out around the time they … Continue reading “Best Practices in Shift Work Operations (Part 3 of 6)”

Attracting and Creating a Sticky Workforce

Over the last several years, the number one issue that companies bring to Shiftwork Solutions is the difficulty they are having with keeping vital job postings filled.   This comes from a combination of high turnover and less than fruitful recruiting efforts.   Let’s start with the obvious ─ there is a lot of value in … Continue reading “Attracting and Creating a Sticky Workforce”