Employee schedules play a critical role in employee retention and business performance. As a business owner, providing stable schedules to your employees isn’t a simple task. It requires a deep understanding of employees’ availability, your business’ staffing needs, and an investment of time to plan in advance. Stable scheduling for employees tends to decrease absenteeism, turnover, and attrition, as well as enhance job commitment, sales, productivity, and recruitment of talented employees.1Williams, J. C., & Huang, P. (2011). Improving Work-Life Fit in Hourly Jobs: An Underutilized Cost-Cutting Strategy in a Globalized World. Retrieved from https://worklifelaw.org/publications/ImprovingWork-LifeFit.pdf.
Speaking of balancing time, giving your employees more than the minimum required days off and instituting a paid leave policy at your business is an excellent way of attracting talented workers, promoting wellbeing, and improving morale among your staff. In fact, a 2020 onpay survey of more than 1,000 employee reviews of benefits packages found that paid time off was among the top three drivers of employee morale, along with healthcare and retirement benefits. That’s because employees who have the flexibility to take time off for major life events, family emergencies, or even to go on vacation—knowing they won’t be losing wages— are healthier, happier, and more productive workers.
The following information will help you explore how to manage your employees’ time in ways that are right for your business, your bottom line, and your workers.