The busy December month is a treat for many people, but for employers it can be a logistically demanding challenge when it comes to scheduling staff. How can you make sure your store keeps running smoothly during the holidays without overloading your employees? In this article, we share some tips for preparing and optimizing your staff scheduling for the busy holiday season.
It's an open door, of course, but it's never too early to start planning for the holidays. It is the busiest time of the year, and with staff shortages, many employers are fishing in the same pond for hiring or (temporarily) hiring additional employees. So make sure you know your staffing needs well in advance and - if necessary - start recruiting permanent staff or hiring flexible employees early.
How do you ensure a good balance between permanent and flexible employees? Read it here.
A good way to optimize your planning for the holidays is to analyze and evaluate historical data. What went well at the time and what didn't go well? Look at previous years to determine what days and hours were busiest and what skills your team needed. This will help you create an informed schedule. Good WFM software gives you easy access to the necessary data and allows you to use historical planning as a starting point. They don't start you from scratch and you don't have to completely reinvent the wheel.
No matter how prepared you are, unexpected situations or changes can always arise, and it is important to be able to respond quickly. Make sure you have employees with variable hours or on-call workers on hand so you can act quickly when additional employee needs arise.
Open communication is crucial. Make sure your employees are well informed about their schedules, tasks and any changes. Therefore, give employees the opportunity to indicate their availability during the holidays in time for you to plan accordingly.
Working during the holidays can be challenging for employees. Consider offering certain incentives, such as bonuses, extra days off or special recognition for their efforts. By doing so, you make employees part of the success, and it promotes motivation and loyalty.
Everyone knows that the work does not stop when the planning is complete. Keep constantly monitoring store performance, customer demand and other KPIs and adjust things as the situation demands. It's an iterative process where you can continue to respond to changes - often with small adjustments - for optimal performance.
Preparing and optimizing your workforce planning for the holidays can be a challenge, but with good workforce management software and the right strategies, you can create a smooth and successful holiday month. By starting early, being flexible, communicating clearly and openly, and using the right tools, you can ensure that your business successfully makes it through the holidays and keeps your employees engaged and satisfied.
