Consequences of Poor Employee Scheduling: How Badly-Timed Breaks Can Hurt Productivity
In today's fast-paced business world, it's more important than ever to have a well-oiled machine of an organisation that includes your team of employees. Unfortunately, poor work scheduling can throw a wrench in the best-laid plans.
The secret ingredient to successful employee scheduling means you have the right people in the right place and time. And to attain this, you must have effective forecasting. However, thanks to the ever-changing consumer behaviour, highly competitive market, and other factors, forecasting is more tenacious than ever, likewise with scheduling.
What’s troubling is that schedules also go downhill, meaning they fail to do their intended job. Is this a frightful scene to witness? It surely is.
To understand its negative impact on your business, here are the consequences of poor employee scheduling.
1. Poor Employee Performance
Poor employee scheduling can result in various consequences, affecting your workforce’s productivity levels. One significant upshot is poor employee performance.
If employees are not given proper breaks, or their shifts are not timed correctly, they will quickly become overworked and exhausted. This can lead to bad decision-making, mistakes, and possible accidents. In addition, morale will suffer as employees feel undervalued and unappreciated.
Customers may also be affected if they experience subpar service due to tired and disgruntled employees.
2. Lousy Scheduling
Another significant consequence of bad scheduling in the business is that employee turnover rates skyrocket. If your employees are constantly overworked and underpaid, they will eventually look for other jobs that offer better working conditions.
This can be very costly for businesses, as it takes time and money to train new employees. High turnover rates can negatively affect your company’s reputation, making it difficult to attract top talent.
3. Overworked Employees
When employees are overworked, they become less productive as stress is taking its toll on their bodies. Once your employees are stressed and exhausted, their work quality suffers. Overloaded employees are likely to commit mistakes too, which can be very costly for your business.
4. Low Employee Morale
Your employees’ morale will likely drop if they constantly work long hours with no breaks. Who wouldn’t? They would become unhappy, unsatisfied, and resentful. This can then lead to a decrease in productivity and an increase in turnover rates.
5. Poor Customer Service
Your customers are the lifeblood of your business, and poor customer service can lead to a decrease in sales and profitability. Employees who are overworked may be less patient with customers and more likely to make mistakes. This can lead to poor reviews, lost business, and a decline in overall customer satisfaction.
Photo by: Tim Douglas | Pexels
6. Chaotic Operations
Another potential consequence of poor employee scheduling is chaotic operations. Employees who keep their noses to the grindstone may have trouble completing their tasks efficiently and on time. This causes productivity to plummet dramatically and an increase in errors. In some cases, it may even lead to safety hazards.
7. Poor Retention and Team Conflict
When employees feel overworked, it can lead to poor retention. Studies have shown that poor work-life balance is one of the top reasons employees quit their jobs. If your employees are constantly working long hours, they will start seeking new employment elsewhere.
Poor employee scheduling can also lead to conflict between employees. If one employee is consistently given the less desirable shifts, they may start to resent their co-workers. This can create an unhealthy work environment and make it difficult for your team to work together.
8. Skyrocketed Costs
If you constantly have to fill open shifts, it will cost your business more money in the long run. Not to mention, you’ll also be spending more money on training new employees if you have high turnover rates.
Poor employee scheduling can have a significant impact on your business. From decreased productivity to increased costs, it’s essential to be aware of the potential consequences.
9. Excessive Overtime
Poor employee scheduling can often lead to excessive unplanned overtime. This can happen when employees are asked to work last-minute shifts or stay late to cover for a coworker. Not only is this disruptive for employees, but it can also lead to burnout and decreased productivity.
If you find that your employees are working excessive overtime, it’s essential to take a step back and reevaluate your scheduling process.
Photo by: Tim Douglas | Pexels
10. Inadequate Scheduling Analytics
Lack of scheduling analytics is another consequence of poor employee scheduling. Without data, it isn’t easy to make informed decisions about your schedule. This can lead to inefficiencies and wasted time creating schedules that don’t work.
Scheduling software like RosterElf’s scheduling and rostering software can help you overcome this challenge by providing data-driven insights to help optimise schedules.
Key Takeaway
So, what can you do to avoid these consequences?
Scheduling is an integral part of any business and should be given the attention it deserves. By creating a well-organised schedule using automated employee scheduling software, businesses can avoid many consequences of poor scheduling.
Employees will be happier and more productive, customers will receive better service, and turnover rates will decrease. In the end, everyone benefits from good scheduling. More so, having good communication is vital.
Be clear with your expectations and ensure you’re all on the same wavelength. And lastly, don’t forget to show your appreciation for their hard work!
Why RosterElf?
RosterElf’s cloud-based scheduling app is a game-changer. No more chasing employees for their availability to work. No more roster conflicts. Our smartphone app lets employees submit and update their availability to work information 24/7.
Staff set the times and days they can work, and RosterElf does the rest. Our software then automatically suggests available employees to fill shifts.
What are you waiting for? Time to take your scheduling game to the next level and boost your business’ performance. Call us now at 1300 353 000, and our team will be more than happy to assist you.
To get a more detailed view of how our app works, enjoy 30-day access to our tool for free!
