The Impact of Local Unemployment

More often than not, companies come to us when they are out of capacity.  Overtime is high and the workforce is becoming tired.  Absenteeism is leading to under-staffing and more overtime.  This is the type of death-spiral that does not right itself unassisted. Improved shift scheduling can help.  However, one component is often to bring … Continue reading “The Impact of Local Unemployment”

How will a new schedule impact your Employee Handbook?

Measure twice, cut once. This adage is as applicable to a schedule change as it is for those in the carpentry trade. Make one mistake and either be prepared to live with it or face the uphill battle of yet making another major change to your workplace. There are all types of pitfalls.  You can … Continue reading “How will a new schedule impact your Employee Handbook?”

Work-Life Balance

A frequent lament I’ve been hearing for the last 30 years is “Today’s kids don’t have the work ethic of their parents.” Interestingly, the frequency of this type of statement is inversely proportional to the local unemployment rate. When unemployment is low, then companies start to notice that their employees become less “sticky”. They leave … Continue reading “Work-Life Balance”

Staffing? – Good Question

Considerations for answering – How Many Do I Hire? I’m a shiftwork expert so my posts are always centered on shiftwork operations.  That doesn’t mean that there isn’t something that a non-shiftwork operation might find helpful.  My hope is that every reader of every post is able to find value. Most of my work, about … Continue reading “Staffing? – Good Question”

Yes, it’s personal

I’m often asked, “Jim, what is the single most important thing we, as an organization, can do to better facilitate a schedule change.” My answer is always the same – “Find a way to see the event through the eyes of a shift worker.”  In other words, walk that mile in their shoes. Companies don’t … Continue reading “Yes, it’s personal”