Costs down, efficiency up
The aim of operational workforce scheduling is to plan so as to avoid both expensive over- or understaffing. Ensure that the right number of people are deployed at the right time, in the right place and with the right skills. At optimized costs and with attention to the interests of the workforce.
Mapping compliance requirements securely
Planning must take laws, collective agreements, company agreements and individual working time regulations into account. This adds rising complexity to planning and scheduling, while increasing the risk of legal consequences. Why not let a system do all the heavy lifting? The system automatically monitors all regulations, and issues warnings in the event of violations. Already during the planning process.
Christina MarkowskiWe operate in a dynamic market and are tasked with rapid response to demand fluctuations with staff holding the right qualifications. Our workforce management solution provides us with the necessary flexibility and transparency in workforce scheduling.
Head of Performance Measurement & Support DB, DB Schenker
Actively involving employees
A flexible organization of working time offering maximum work-life integration makes employers more attractive. And happier, more satisfied employees are simply more productive. Make the most of this potential and integrate your workforce into planning. Preferential duty plans or the option of swapping shifts and duties independently, or including carpools in planning are ideal instruments here.
Implementing planning changes rapidly
As good as workforce scheduling may be, every company has to react promptly to unexpected fluctuations in personnel requirements or to sudden personnel shortages. In this context, it is important to make the right decision quickly with the help of automatisms and on the basis of transparent data. Digital workforce management makes day-to-day management plain and simple.
Creating planning scenarios with real-time data
Heterogeneous systems present planning challenges. Even today, dispatchers often have to extract time balances, holiday data, individual employee requirements or special working time models from various data sources and transfer them to the schedule. Digital workforce management provides all data in real time. The option of simulating planning scenarios creates additional transparency while raising planning quality.
Frequently asked questions about workforce scheduling
What is workforce scheduling?
Workforce scheduling is a strategic process aimed at organizing and managing human resources within a company. Its primary objective is to efficiently meet operational needs, ensuring that the company has the right number of employees with the appropriate skills in the right place and at the right time. This includes creating work schedules, managing shifts, leaves, and absences, as well as optimizing human resources to maximize productivity.
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What are the benefits of workforce scheduling?
Workforce scheduling offers numerous benefits:
- Operational Efficiency: It optimizes staffing levels, avoiding understaffing or overstaffing, which can reduce costs and increase profitability.
- Employee Satisfaction: By planning fairly and considering employee preferences, employee satisfaction and engagement can increase.
- Regulatory Compliance: It helps comply with labor laws and regulations, especially regarding working hours and leaves.
- Responsiveness: Agile scheduling allows for quick adaptation to demand fluctuations or unforeseen circumstances.
- Productivity: Well-planned workforce is more productive as it is better aligned with the company's needs.
What are the common challenges of workforce scheduling?
Common challenges of workforce scheduling include:
- Demand Variability: Fluctuations in demand make it challenging to accurately forecast staffing needs.
- Flexible Schedules: Managing flexible schedules and employee preferences can be complex.
- Leave and Absence Management: Ensuring adequate coverage while considering leaves and absences can be a challenge.
- Changing Legislative Environment: Frequent changes in labor laws can complicate compliance.
How can workforce scheduling be tailored to the specific needs of my company?
Tailoring workforce scheduling to your company's needs depends on various factors, such as the size of your team, the nature of your business, required skills, and more. Conducting an initial analysis of your company's specific needs is essential. Then, you can choose scheduling solutions that allow for customization to meet the unique requirements of your company.
How does workforce scheduling contribute to greater self-determination when planning working times?
Employees represent a valuable company resource in terms of adding value and knowledge – and they are crucial to the success of the business. Taking staff preferences into account via self-service functions in workforce scheduling is a standard that has long been embraced by ATOSS. Exchange platforms for shift and duty schedules and apps for mobile workforce management support employees' need for greater self-determination and flexibility in the organization of their working time. This enhances their sense of independent responsibility and satisfaction at the workplace, while at the same time reducing sickness and fluctuation rates due to efficient, staff-oriented personnel planning.
How does managing qualifications play a role in workforce scheduling?
Assigning employees with the appropriate qualifications to their respective workplaces can often pose a significant challenge for planners. ATOSS qualifications management provides a solution by allowing the definition of additional and specialized qualifications, such as first responders and fire safety officers, as well as other specific skills necessary for particular positions. These qualifications are seamlessly integrated into the personnel planning process. Through automated checks of staff skills against job requirements, organizations can ensure high-quality, legally compliant, and audit-ready workforce scheduling. Clear and easily accessible evaluations of collected data display the qualification status of employees or departments, promptly identifying any necessary actions. This streamlines workforce scheduling in the long run.
How can workforce scheduling be efficiently done with ATOSS?
Efficient workforce scheduling with ATOSS is a simplified process thanks to our expertise. Our workforce management solutions are designed to help companies optimize their staffing based on their needs. They provide real-time visibility into schedules, absences, skills, and more. By collaborating with ATOSS, you will benefit from our experience in optimizing human resources to improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. Our team is here to guide you in implementing our customized solutions for your company.