TMCnet Feature Free eNews Subscription
April 22, 2021

3 Additional Benefits of Using Software to Manage Employee Scheduling



Employee scheduling has come a long way from pen and paper rota and printed Excel sheets. Business owners and HR managers have moved on from manual methods of managing the shift timings for their workforce and calculating the number of working hours.



Instead, they use automatic tools for employee scheduling, which gives them more free time to focus on other managerial tasks. These automated solutions can also reduce labor costs significantly. But apart from scheduling shifts for employees, the software can be also used to complete several other business functions.

That way, the company can centralize several human resource tasks under one system, reducing the chances of errors and saving more money. These are some of the additional functions that an employee scheduling software can perform for better human resource management.

Integrated Payroll Calculations

Business owners and HR managers need not calculate payroll separately while using software to manage employee scheduling. Most of these modern solutions allow them to integrate payroll calculations within the same system by including the pay rates for each staff member.

The team members often use their smartphones to clock in and out from any location, and the software calculates their wages or salaries accordingly. Business or HR leaders can also streamline the payment of overtime by setting the required parameters, and the software gets those calculations in the payroll.

For example, the company might be paying a few additional dollars for overtime on weekends or for night shifts. Once they add the necessary details on the software, it will automatically calculate the added work time that needs to be paid to an employee.

The scheduling software can take a large burden off the shoulders of the HR and finance teams. They would only need to verify that all the details have been entered accurately. The automation of the entire payroll process reduces the chances of costly errors that can add up to the business losses over time.

Business leaders will also get real-time insights into human resource costs, which enables them to forecast situations and make adjustments as and when required. For example, they can decide not to schedule their highest-paid team members on days with the lowest revenues.

AI-Based Automation

Several experts believe that we are currently going through the fourth industrial revolution. There is an immense focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in the software industry. Almost every advanced software is using AI and machine learning to automate a large chunk of manual activities these days.

Employee scheduling software is no exception. Many modern employee scheduling solutions offer automation of several tasks. For example, the software can suggest the employees for a particular shift based on their skill sets, availability, and pay rate. Some of the applications can also generate the schedules automatically for each week, and the manager only has to make adjustments if required.

AI-based automation benefits the company in several ways, such as:

  • Save time for the HR department, managers, and business leaders.
  • Lower operating costs by managing employee schedules according to pay scales.
  • Optimize productivity by assigning team members with specific skill sets according to work patterns.
  • Provide better insights for planning and management.
  • Reduce onboarding time for the human resource department.

Optimize Remote Communication

Remote working has become a common affair these days, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Working remotely often entails a flexibility in schedules or shifting between multiple locations. Therefore, it may not be possible for employees to come to the work premises every day to check the rota or check-in and out.

Thankfully, almost every modern scheduling software offers a mobile-friendly interface that allows the employees to check their schedules from any remote location. They also have built-in GPS tracking, which automatically records the location whenever an employee logs in.

It is beneficial for companies with multiple locations or a large chunk of employees working from remote locations. The staff members can also use their smartphones to request shift changes and leaves from wherever they are.

The feature saves the HR manager or business leader from spending manual effort on swapping shifts by matching skill sets required for maximum productivity. Business leaders can set up the parameters beforehand so that only employees with eligibility to cover the shifts are considered.

The software also adjusts the rate of pay if required for the employees. Modern scheduling solutions come with built-in methods of communication as well, which means employees and managers do not have to toggle between different applications.

Business leaders can make the most of employee scheduling technology by implementing modern software in their organization. These solutions are more than just a means to schedule shifts and build weekly roasters for the staff.

There are several additional business benefits of using employee scheduling software that can automate and streamline processes. These added features facilitate significant cost-saving and allow business leaders to concentrate on more important functions.



» More TMCnet Feature Articles
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [Free eNews Subscription]
SHARE THIS ARTICLE

LATEST TMCNET ARTICLES

» More TMCnet Feature Articles