Employee Shift Work Schedules: an Introduction

Be sure to look at our News Topics (on the menu bar above) to find a wealth of information about all sorts of shiftwork issues, including schedules, staffing, overtime and change management. by Bruce Oliver, Consultant, and Dan Capshaw, Partner, Shiftwork Solutions LLC (Republished with permission from the Society of Human Resource Management) According to the Bureau … Continue reading “Employee Shift Work Schedules: an Introduction”

The Weekend Warrior Trap

Human Resource Managers; how would you like a schedule that your employees will love? Plant Managers, how about a schedule that adds 40% more potential production hours onto your weekly schedule? Now that the hook is baited….shall we take a bite? If that particular schedule calls for you to hire a weekend crew (aka Weekend … Continue reading “The Weekend Warrior Trap”

What is the Worst Shift to Work? Night Shift? Afternoon Shift?

The night shift is difficult physically, but the afternoon shift can be hard on your family and social life.

Everyone Wants to Work Day Shift, Right? Think again!

We all know that shift work, and especially night shift, is difficult. For some folks, it can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and non-traditional social interactions with friends and family members. As a result, it is a common perception that, when it comes to shift work, everyone would prefer to work the day shift. Over … Continue reading “Everyone Wants to Work Day Shift, Right? Think again!”

How many people does it take to staff your schedule? (Part 2)

There is a short answer and a long answer to this question.Β  Here is a link to the short answer. As for the long answer: Take a look at the “short answer” in the previous blog post.Β  That is a good place to start. The following should be considered to refine the number you get … Continue reading “How many people does it take to staff your schedule? (Part 2)”

How many people does it take to staff your schedule? (Part 1)

As with most shiftwork related issues, the question of “How Many?” has a short and a long answer. Here is a link to the long answer. Let’s start with the short answer. Add up all of the man-hours that need to be covered and divide by 40.Β  For example, if you need 30 people for … Continue reading “How many people does it take to staff your schedule? (Part 1)”

6-day schedules (part 4)

This is the fourth and final post in a series of four posts regarding 6-day schedules.Β  Here are the links to 6-day schedules (part 1), 6-dayΒ  schedules (part 2) and 6-day schedules (part 3). In this post, we will look at two extremes when it comes to covering 6 days.Β  One uses extra staffing to … Continue reading “6-day schedules (part 4)”

6-day schedules (part 3)

This is the third in a series about 6-day schedules.Β  I recommend you read 6-day schedules (part 1) and 6-day scheduled (part 2) before going forward with this one. Today’s post will begin the focus on a 12-hour schedule pattern for covering 24 hours a day, six days a week. The premise behind this schedule … Continue reading “6-day schedules (part 3)”

6-day schedules (part 2)

Part I of this series was posted a few days ago and discussed some of the problems surrounding 6-day schedules.Β  I recommend you read that posting before going forward with this one. Today’s post will begin the focus on schedule patterns; specifically, those patterns that cover 24 hours a day for 6 days each week.Β  … Continue reading “6-day schedules (part 2)”

6-day schedules (part 1)

Sometimes companies are born into a 24/7 schedule.  An example would be a refinery.  From the moment it was conceived until it reached operational retirement, it was a 24/7 operation.  There are many examples like this. More often than not, 24/7 schedules are something that companies grow into.  They start off covering one or two … Continue reading “6-day schedules (part 1)”