Scheduling for both employees and for managers can become nightmarish if even the smallest detail gets overlooked. Problems like not having enough servers in a restaurant on a Saturday night shift to figuring out end-of-the-month payroll essentially go away when you use a scheduling software for your business. In fact, four big reasons exist for you to invest in this type of software. Read the sections below to learn why your business needs this vital resource.
Takes Pressure Off Managers
High-volume businesses with more than 100 employees require a great deal of scheduling. The manager in charge of such a schedule must cover all the peak-time shifts, and must do so without over-scheduling. He or she must also work in employee vacation requests, add in new-hire training hours, and factor in a whole host of other things, without driving business costs up.
In the past, such a task required plenty of pencils with erasers and quite a bit of headache, because all of the schedules could only be tracked manually. Taking away the manual component means the software thinks for you. This allows a manager to save the company time and money, according to The Huffington Post.
Helps Employee Morale
Some employees don’t like scheduling software, because it feels, well, mechanical. However, the best software programs give employees a bit of control, and control counts as an important factor in keeping employees happy. Certain softwares give employees the ability to schedule their own doctor’s appointments or put in for vacation. While some human interaction with the manager is probably still required to make sure all the shifts are filled, the software gives everyone a jumping off point.
Spots Conflicts Right Away
And speaking of filling shifts, scheduling software helps an employee and a manager spot a conflict in scheduling far in advance. For example, if an employee has a shift she wants to give away and two of her colleagues try to pick it up at the same time, the software creates an alert. These problems are spotted faster, and can therefore be resolved in a much timelier manner. This keeps employee costs down.
Keeps Customers Happy
An article on the SignPost.com website touts the advantages of scheduling software in terms of customer retention. Small offices often get a high volume of calls. An automated software system that allows customers to make appointments online or via an automated phone system frees up receptionists to deal with in-office clients or deal with other tasks. Customers don’t get frustrated waiting to talk to someone to schedule their appointments, cutting down on the chances for dissatisfaction. This helps keep customers coming back.
Scheduling software can feel like a God-send to the harried manager as well as to the busy customer. From giving employees the opportunity to schedule extra shifts to spotting inherent conflicts right away, this type of software streamlines a business. The free time it provides for managers saves time and money. It also makes customers feel happier, and employees feel like they have more control over their work life.
