Why Change Work Schedules?
The three most common reasons are: (1) staffing size changes, (2) new hours of operation, and (3) employees dissatisfaction.
Staffing Changes. Changes in the staff size will require a new or updated schedule. If you have more employees than the minimum needed for your coverage requirements, you can use your "extra" employees to: (a) boost the coverage, (b) reduce/eliminate overtime from the schedule itself, or (c) build relief coverage into the schedule to help cover absences. If you have fewer employees than the minimum required, you have to decide whether to maintain the current coverage by increasing overtime in the schedule or reduce the coverage on certain shifts or days of the week.
New Hours of Operation. Many companies expand from working 5 to 7 days a week, or from one to two shifts a day. When expanding to 7 days a week, you'll want a schedule that rotates the days of work so that everyone shares equally in the weekends off. When adding shifts, you'll first have to decide whether you want your employees to be permanently assigned to a single shift or to rotate from shift-to-shift. In either case, you'll benefit from a schedule with rotating days of work.
Employee Issues. Companies can experience high turnover, morale problems, increased absenteeism, or difficulty hiring if employees are unhappy with the existing work schedule. As a general rule, they want more flexibility or more days/weekends off. Flexibility can be facilitated by allowing shift swapping. More days off can be achieved by adopting a schedule with longer shifts. Unfortunately, this often results in coverage that doesn't match the workload or a drasticly reduces coverage levels, so professional help may be needed to avoid compromising business needs.
Where Do You Find a New Schedule?
There are dozens of scheduling software companies and industry forums that offer free schedule templates. There are a handful of shiftwork consultants come on-site to help larger companies change schedules. Smaller organizations that recognize the limitations of generic templates or can't afford the high cost of a consultant come to us for help.
Schedule Templates. Although software companies promise to create schedules for you, they don't. They're great for managing an existing schedule, but they won't create a schedule based on your needs or preferences. Yes, they offer free templates. But these are generic patterns that won't necessarily match your unique situation: (a) hours of operation, (b) coverage requirements, (c) staff size, (d) overtime in the schedule, and (e) pay week. Many people adopt these popular patterns and think everything is great, unaware that they could have achieved superior utilization of their staff and/or saved money with a custom-designed schedule.
Consultants. There are 3 or 4 companies in the U.S. that help larger companies facilitate a schedule change. Larger companies usually have simple requirements. They are often 24/7 and have constant coverage requirements. So the schedule is the easiest part of the process. The consultants key role is the justify the schedule change, get everyone involved in selecting the final schedule solution, and then updating the pay policies to match the new schedule. Clearly, this is a valuable service. But it's expensive and not the best choice for smaller groups with variable coverage requirements, insufficient staff, complicated situations, and limited budgets.
Shift Schedule Design. We offer multiple solutions: (a) staffing calculators that show how many people you need for different scheduling approaches, (b) packages of 24/7 schedule examples, and (c) custom-designed schedules for any group that has more than one shift. We focus on smaller companies that want something more than a generic template. We can show you different scheduling approaches as well as multiple patterns for each approach.
Testimonials
"We had been trying to work out schedule changes for our staff for months, and we were experiencing many difficulties finding something that works. Headache after headache, we were at our wits end. I was searching on the web for solutions and found this Schedule Design website. Within 24 hours, we had a solution. Quick response, friendly service and easy payment, it was the BEST money I've ever spent! Thank you."
Laurie Skyvington, Operations Manager
"I was skeptical at first when I saw your website and was unsure if you were legit. However, I am glad that I finally took the gamble and decided to call and speak with you on the phone. What made me feel better is that you completed an analysis of my problem before you saw any money! Finally, I want to thank you for teaching me how you solved my scheduling problem. Thanks again for saving a portion of my sanity!"
Thomas Owen, Urgent Care Center Manager
"Bruce, over at Shift Schedule Design, was amazing help to me. His responses were fast and helpful and very direct. I would recommend him to anyone who has scheduling issues. He will get your staff scheduled quickly and without hassle. These guys know what they're doing. A+"
Ricardo DeAzevedo, Customer Care Manager
Our Air ambulance Program required clear and concise templates to implement a 24/7 response. Shift schedule design certainly has provided us with a fantastic product. His articles really answer so many questions that we have had problems with. I would highly recommend this company, not only for the above work, but the prompt reply and follow up phone conference ability at short notice. $300.00 fee has saved us thousands of dollars.
Dave McMullen R.N., CFRN, CENc, P.C.P.
"I find it remarkable how you were able to produce these schedules so quickly. This has been causing me much trouble and I feel that this is $300 well spent!"
Robert Jacobs, Customer Experience Manager