tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22772196849392311902024-03-27T19:53:14.012-04:00EZShiftEZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-1897557605565977332012-08-08T08:43:00.001-04:002012-08-08T08:43:34.045-04:00The Health Risks of Working Shifts<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There are many serious health risks that come along with work in shifts, like in hospitals or police stations. By the end of this article, hopefully you'll have a better understanding the risks and some idea of how to avoid them.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>For starters, a study released in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found an 8% increase in the risk of breast cancer among women nurses who worked between one and 29 years on a rotating night shift schedule and a 36% increase among women who worked more than 30 years in such a position. It is suggested that frequent changes in a woman's sleep schedule leads to disruptions in the melatonin production cycle, which could in turn lead to production of more estrogen, eventually contributing to an increase in the risk of breast cancer.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Next, there are cardiovascular disease and obesity. Researchers have found that the risk of cardiovascular disease grows by 40% when the person works shifts and grows even more the longer the person works nights. Shift work can also lead to obesity because of poor diet and lack of exercise, but also because shift work appears to be correlated with lower levels of leptin, a hormone which plays a major role in making us feel full; less leptin means we feel less full, which means we eat more.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Finally, a less lethal but equally important risk is the correlation between shift work and mood disorders. A 2007 study found that night workers had drastically lower levels of serotonin in their brain, significantly affecting their moods. This is likely why several studies have found a strong correlation between shift work and depression.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So what can you do about avoiding – or at least lessening – these risks?<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>For one, as always, it's crucial to eat properly and exercise. These will prevent obesity and cardiovascular disease from taking their toll on you, the shift worker. Staying healthy like this could drastically reduce the risks and keep you in the workforce for years to come.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Another possible solution is simply to sleep well. The main problem for workers on the night shift is that, when sleeping during the day, even a tiny amount of exposure to sunlight will wake them up. The solution is for them is to make sure to block out as much of the sun as possible in their bedroom, either with effective blinds or a sleep mask. Some workers returning from a night shift even resort to wearing sunglasses so as to reduce their exposure to morning light and the awakening effect it is likely to have on their bodies.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The best solution, though, is simply to attempt to change one's schedule. Some experts believe that it is better to work stable night shifts rather than rotating day and night shifts. This is not always possible within the current parameters of the job's shift schedule as it is currently designed. A better solution, though, may be offered with modern technology.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Advanced shift scheduling software will allow individual workers to list a preference for shifts that fit their lifestyle and health; managers to define rules that will make for healthier workers; and both to benefit from software that automatically creates error-free shift schedules, based on those preferences and rules, in minutes, not hours. Some shift scheduling software, like <a href="http://www.ezshift.com/" target="_blank">EZShift</a>, also includes a platform for managers and workers to communicate with each other, allowing for last-minute shift swaps which could help alleviate the stress that goes along with these sorts of jobs.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In conclusion, shift work can pose serious risks to the health of anyone on such a career path, but taking the proper steps to stay healthy, including using tools offered by modern technology, can help mitigate those risks and ensure a long career.<br />EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-79257330917133595142012-07-29T03:37:00.005-04:002012-07-29T03:37:46.610-04:00What Shift Scheduling Software Can Do for Your Restaurant<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We
all know what a hassle organizing shifts in a restaurant can be.
First you have to make sure all your employees hand in their
preferences for when they want to work. Even if all your waiters,
cooks and hostesses hand in their preferences on time, you, the shift
manager, are still left with a stack of papers to sift through in
your office in an effort to fulfill the requirements of each shift –
making sure there are enough cooks and waiters for the lunch rush,
enough experienced bartenders for the night crowd, etc. – and still
keep everyone happy and follow restaurant policy – at least three
day shifts and one weekend shift per week, no more than two night
shifts in a row, or whatever specific rules your restaurant has on
the matter. When you finally finish, possibly after several hours and
numerous false starts, you might post it for your employees to see,
only to have them make additional requests, ask to be switched, or
come to you at the last minute and say they can't work a given shift,
leaving you to call all your other employees in a rush to find a
replacement. And when you finally have everything set and in order,
you have to copy it over to a log book for long-term tracking before
starting the whole process over the following week.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wouldn't
it be great if there was another way?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With
modern shift scheduling software, such as EZShift (<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.ezshift.com/">www.ezshift.com</a></u></span></span>),
shift managers can create schedules for their employees quickly,
easily, and with no errors. Sophisticated shift scheduling software
allows you to set conditions for the schedule – hours, number and
types of workers required on a given shift, and so on – as well as
properties for individual workers – different groups depending on
their qualifications – and then let the software build the schedule
for you. What once took hours of frustration can now be accomplished
in minutes with ease.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let's
look at a relatively simple example of how shift scheduling software
like <a href="http://www.ezshift.com/" target="_blank">EZShift</a> can help you. Suppose your restaurant gets especially
busy around lunchtime, so you want an experienced waiter on duty from
11 AM. Before, you would have to sit and struggle to arrange the
schedule in such a way that your more experienced waiters were on
duty at the right time, and start over once you realized a certain
schedule arrangement wouldn't work. You could be at it for hours
before you got it perfect. With shift scheduling software like
<a href="http://www.ezshift.com/" target="_blank">EZShift</a>, you simply define who the more experienced waiters are,
define the 11 AM shift as one where you need an experienced waiter,
and let the program find the best schedule that fits those
requirements.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shift
scheduling software also allows for easy, efficient communication
between employees and managers. You may find that in the current
situation, some employees don't fill in their shift preferences
simply because they forget and won't be back at work before the
preferences are due. Advanced shift scheduling software like <a href="http://www.ezshift.com/" target="_blank">EZShift</a> alleviates this issue by providing a built-in messaging system so
employees can fill in their preferences from the comfort of their own
computers. These software packages also alleviate the possibility
that employees won't put down enough shifts, whether total shifts or
types of shifts (time of day, day of the week, etc.), by making it
impossible to submit a preference list without fulfilling the basic
requirements set by the shift manager.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let's
look at another example. One of your waiters, Jim, clocked out and
went home before filling in his preferences for next week's shifts.
Instead of you and Jim having to track each other down on the phone,
Jim can simply log into his section of your restaurant's shift
scheduling software and fill in his preferences from home. If Jim
needs to work three morning shifts and at least one weekend shift, he
won't be able to save his preferences until he marks his availability
for at least three morning shifts and one weekend shift. Shift
scheduling software like
<a href="http://www.ezshift.com/" target="_blank">EZShift</a> can thus save you and your employees
time, energy and frustration.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So
instead of spending hours making sure you have enough waiters, cooks
and hostesses to fill out the shifts for the coming work week, let a
shift scheduling software package like
<a href="http://www.ezshift.com/" target="_blank">EZShift</a> do the work for you.</div>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-49972931651056264392011-11-22T03:40:00.001-05:002011-11-22T03:42:01.913-05:00Finally.... Jim<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy9C3LlR40Du_chs0y-Gh_MHF6VhYafkyrVwjGcqhn_lEI6I8069iB2kBz9-TSs1tCd5BvMhWLeuHU-2rBv' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-54634609849316619762011-09-27T09:17:00.000-04:002011-09-27T09:17:49.419-04:00Meet Jim......... Coming Soon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU-KLLkUWEM7uSTvEBnZFZXSEnpRD3ysJO7cRRueT_WfTNXHjcz-sToA8IqbrG1Vtyi7LNNnzwh2zfYvy9UqJjOENizwWgoRbDvhmKAeu28NtHh3RjQdSPhkYjcNMcVAOB0DOXZeUjpRw/s1600/EZshift+-+master_00021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU-KLLkUWEM7uSTvEBnZFZXSEnpRD3ysJO7cRRueT_WfTNXHjcz-sToA8IqbrG1Vtyi7LNNnzwh2zfYvy9UqJjOENizwWgoRbDvhmKAeu28NtHh3RjQdSPhkYjcNMcVAOB0DOXZeUjpRw/s320/EZshift+-+master_00021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLpdGY4etnQjzUd48nHmhfFFWNMi4SFSvvi1XJ4RLed4lsy1WsvY5HFqyjbPEzGDdph312lSYLCB-A8F4oNw8e9Hdt3FJl-lJ3xqMCGJR2CX4XJnYgdKRk5KsPCvI7UfFbVjLwUfON2K7/s1600/EZshift+-+master_00131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLpdGY4etnQjzUd48nHmhfFFWNMi4SFSvvi1XJ4RLed4lsy1WsvY5HFqyjbPEzGDdph312lSYLCB-A8F4oNw8e9Hdt3FJl-lJ3xqMCGJR2CX4XJnYgdKRk5KsPCvI7UfFbVjLwUfON2K7/s320/EZshift+-+master_00131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8eHsmY3jE1_r5sDq28T3hflvH9OUAhIrOD-aOfzZ-E3wx0Uk3t9znf2JaXsJGdo_qu1zy_B3xLF1pL_3Zi8i3f__AaAjejjC_JOONgGfXYNJ1gkmRfpCXELgFYBhgsFPkbVXefgHud7s/s1600/EZshift+-+master_00496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8eHsmY3jE1_r5sDq28T3hflvH9OUAhIrOD-aOfzZ-E3wx0Uk3t9znf2JaXsJGdo_qu1zy_B3xLF1pL_3Zi8i3f__AaAjejjC_JOONgGfXYNJ1gkmRfpCXELgFYBhgsFPkbVXefgHud7s/s320/EZshift+-+master_00496.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To be continued. :)EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-34590590903133332182011-09-23T04:54:00.001-04:002011-09-23T04:54:00.241-04:00Nobody got your back? Read and see how we can help.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Human error: The reason why we’d rather let machines do the work.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all come across human error in our day to day lives, whether they are caused by us, or affected us due to somebody else’s mistake.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Allow me to provide you with an example (or 3):</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your manager sends you an email asking when you are going to fire that good-for-nothing employee who just busted the deal of a lifetime with his incompetence. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You click reply and inform him that you’re waiting for the end of the month since you don’t want to fire him just before a major holiday, only to find out you sent your reply to one of that employee’s coworkers. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oops.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your boss (after two workdays of trying to compile the weekly schedule for your team) assigned you to a double shift on the one day you absolutely could not work. Now, since he needs to make up for these two days of scheduling when he got no work done, he’s too busy to find you a replacement (even though it was his mistake), so you have to go beg to your coworkers and come up with a solution.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bummer.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s your 3 year anniversary with your spouse. You call in your favorite restaurant to reserve a table for two on that special evening. When you arrive at the restaurant you are told your table is reserved for the next evening.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh no.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first and last example I gave are probably solution-less, at least at present time, and will just have to remain one of life’s quirky and eventually (many many years from now) amusing situations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 2<sup>nd</sup> example, however, is COMPLETELY avoidable!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just imagine it: a world completely devoid of mess-ups, embarrassment, disappointments & heartaches, hunger, war and desease……. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well maybe I’m taking this too far, but it’s actually pretty genius if you think about it: an <a href="http://www.ezshift.com/default.aspx?PageId=49">error prevention system</a> that informs you whenever you are about to make a mistake.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the moment it only exist as part of the EZSHift staff scheduling software, but wouldn’t it be great if any email software, reservationist and boss would have it integrated in them?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is what makes our Scheduling Software so cool – it’s got your back! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It allows you to be the flawless boss you are to your employees, always.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No more costly over-time, no more resentment, no more waste of time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Give our shift scheduling software a chance, it’s as loyal as a <a href="http://www.findoutaboutpuppies.com/images/Beagle%20puppy%20400.jpg">puppy</a> and doesn’t chew on your furniture so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
(Today's blog entry was brought to you by the all beautiful, all tallanted <a href="http://www.ezshift.com/Default.aspx?PageID=7">EZShift team</a>)EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-61743297286778214672011-09-22T05:19:00.000-04:002011-09-22T05:19:28.615-04:00Our benefits<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Operating in the current business environment means increased scrutiny in day to day operations for companies. Publicly traded companies face stronger and more invasive regulations, while smaller privately held companies are relying on rotating credit lines and are facing similar scrutiny from their lenders. Financial institutions are now mandating their clients to submit full and complete financial statements regarding their financial health.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A key measure of a company’s “health” is keeping tabs on their profits versus their expenses. How does one bridge between the need to be frugal and the need to modernize the workplace so the continuation of the business will remain at the front rather than linger behind? One solution is renting software rather than buying it. If you imagine that the software is a rental car, the benefits become easier to understand. There’s no need for regular maintenance, you eliminate routine checkup costs, and the model you get will always be new.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">An immediate benefit is the ability to save money. Lower upfront costs and tacit understanding that if the product is like a rental car and doesn’t run well, you can return it to the company. Few businesses today have no use for software in their workplace. Even an artisanal bell maker will find that computerizing their contact list and having easy access to email will be very helpful.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Businesses that are running on a shift schedule module are another type of business that is increasingly using software where it saw little use for it before. Even though such businesses benefit from the introduction of technology, as it allows for better and closer contact with employees, they are often faced with changing variants. This can turn a well-planned schedule into a confusing arrow chart filled with crossed out names and arrows leading nowhere.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If the ensuing phone calls, constant pleading, and continuous changes to the schedule sound familiar, you could benefit from learning about EZShift and its solution to employee scheduling. The combination of human factors along with the needs of a company and the external legal requirements, can make the seemingly simple task of planning a schedule for a three-shift workplace both taxing and daunting.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The ability to utilize employees based on their needed skills and qualifications has become an imperative factor when scheduling employees to work, resulting in an optimal schedule when specified in scheduling software such as EZShift. Other factors taken into consideration by employee scheduling software such as legal requirements can include rest periods, breaks between shifts, and overtime work hours.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Another element that is taken into consideration in the calculations for assessing companies is the ability to retain employees over an extended period of time. Retaining a trained workforce extends to more than their contributions on the work floor. Expertise produces knowledge gained over time, knowledge that is very valuable and hard to measure. In addition, the cost of training new workers consists of more than spending money on a name tag, and often requires the time and goodwill of senior employees.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">An additional important factor that is often overlooked is employee satisfaction. An article published by the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Research Center for Group Dynamics University of Michigan</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in 2006, aptly titled “Need Satisfactions and Employee Turnover,” correlates between the needs of the employees and their satisfaction. A key point made in the article is that: “certain personal needs supplied by a person’s place of employment has a significant direct relationship to his continuing to work for that company.”</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A common complaint made by employees performing shift work during exit interviews is the rigidity of the system to accommodate for greater flexibility. The inability to bridge between employee needs and employer’s demands can frequently create a momentum whereby at the end of the dialogue, the employee leaves or is fired. Such a finite solution serves neither side. Instead of finding shifts that better accommodate the employee to the best ability of the company, the company loses a trained employee and the worker is left feeling that the company was inflexible and unhelpful.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Better approaches bridge the gap by merging the company’s needs along with employee needs. With this exact idea in mind, EZShift software allows employees to input their preferences and availabilities, and at the same time automatically places employees into shifts. However, this is not performed without the close monitoring by the designated task person creating the schedules.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">An example of this approach is allowing employees to block off times when they aren’t available under certain preset conditions such as a limit to days off, or mandating certain shits such as evenings or mornings. Similar benefits for employees can be the ability to swap shifts with other employees or benefit from shifts that are a better fit for that employee. While seemingly simple and easy, such moves create a dynamic system that doesn’t only feel fair to employees but also allows them to better manage their own schedules. When people feel that they are looked after and are rewarded for their work, results mean a higher morale and a better employee work performance.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The results of satisfied workers are almost immeasurable, yet strongly felt. Employees greeting customers with a genuine smile on their face or staying five minutes longer to finish a task are a treasure for employers. Any business attracting customers for their quality of goods and services can measure the benefits, but the actual advantages can be greater over time as word of mouth creates its own dynamics. Business analysts will often take note of a company that is able to maintain a well-trained set of employees over an extended period of time, equating employee stability with a well-run and secured company.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.ezshift.com/">EZShift - Employee Scheduling Solutions</a></div>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-35980553122685047492011-09-08T03:38:00.002-04:002011-09-08T03:38:00.140-04:00Things to do with a 7 minute break?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It takes 7 minutes to generate a complete schedule with EZShift.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>30 Things to do with your 7 minute break:</u></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reply to an email you were saving for tomorrow… for the past week.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tell one of your employees they’re doing a GOOD job (for a change).</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Call your spouse and ask what’s for dinner.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Come up with a new and promotion worthy team efficiency idea.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tell your boss about your new and promotion worthy team efficiency idea.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Floss.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Go tell another manager that you got some free time because you’re using EZShift and he’s not. So HA!</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apologize to said manager.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Confirm attendance in a meeting, then realize it’s dinner with the in-laws night, refuse attendance in a meeting.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Play a hidden object game at </span><a href="http://www.hiddenobjectgames247.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.hiddenobjectgames247.com/</span></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Call your grandma, you haven’t talked to her in ages!</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Smoke a cigarette.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Look for rehab programs on-line.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Run a survey around the office about the best way to quit smoking.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Check on where you are on your monthly targets, and locate any bottlenecks. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find solution for said bottlenecks.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stretch.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find an awesome new online-radio station to make your favorite (the old one has too many commercial breaks anyway).</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">19.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Check hot ski locations for your upcoming birthday.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">20.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sort through clutter (though there shouldn’t be any with EZShift).</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HIT workout.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">22.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Renew parking meter.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">23.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Compile a new youtube playlist.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">24.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do your nails (yes, even if you’re a guy)!</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">25.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do your boss’s nails.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">26.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prank-call the guy at the opposite cubicle. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">27.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Draw a really bad painting and feature it as your child’s.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">28.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stare.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">29.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Purchase cubicle warfare items at </span><a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.thinkgeek.com/</span></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">30.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="ltr"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deploy your cubicle warfare items! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Got any additional ideas for a 7 minute break? Post them as a comment!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The possibilities are endless,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contact us now!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.ezshift.com/">EZShift - Automatic Shift Scheduling</a></div>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-54389771930916588512011-09-05T17:13:00.003-04:002011-09-05T17:13:00.407-04:00Process Managment made easy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">There are various techniques to evaluate the way a business runs and the overall productivity of its operations. Process management is a universal system compromised of various tools and methods that help evaluate and improve the overall efficiency of an organization. This process begins with analyzing the way each sect in an organization functions and examining every step of its process. Identifying these processes helps the management get a clear representation of their entire work flow, and also highlights any problematic areas.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In order to enhance efficiency, it’s crucial for any company to get a clear picture of how they run each aspect of their business, and manage the flow of information between different departments properly. Ordinarily, there’s a strong resistance from the manager and the labor force to this process, because of the changes in the organization that come along with it. Additionally, when an evaluation like this occurs in the workplace there is a fear that comes along with adjusting to something new, as well as a constant apprehension of getting laid off among the employees. To ease this process on everyone involved, companies often utilize a third party that assists with enhancing the flow of management and implements an effective strategy to reach their business goals.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A lot of times employees feel distressed around changes made in the workplace, because of their ability to comprehend the recent changes or the belief that something will easily replace them. EZShift’s automatic employee scheduling software makes sure the staff is an integral part of the process, which creates an encouraging atmosphere and a productive workforce as a result. This staff scheduler has been made easy to operate keeping these fears in mind, and accentuates the endless benefits for managers and personnel alike. Moreover, we understand the process that each person in the workforce must go through and ease this experience for everyone involved.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">EZShift improves the quality of an institute by implementing the optimization of human resources and provides an open flow of communication between employees and management. Automatically scheduling the employees based on their preferences, it ensures that employees’ interests are at a high priority. Simultaneously EZShift increases management’s control over organizational activities and helps identify problematic areas such as recurring overtime hours worked or personnel that are consistently tardy.</div>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-40971634899403703402011-09-04T05:01:00.000-04:002011-09-04T05:01:00.595-04:00Shift Happens<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font: 13px/22px Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Scheduling employees into shifts can be quite a draining task. While scheduling my employees to work I have encountered a few recurring mistakes. As the person in charge of scheduling the staff, there is an imperative responsibility to keep things running smoothly. Although scheduling errors are unintentional, when such inaccuracies arise you can immediately sense the impact on your organization.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If remembering to check all the sticky notes with my employees’ availability is a hard enough task, distributing shifts in a fair way for all is a harder one. I found it hard to balance the amount of night shifts all my employees had worked, which made me schedule some employees to work the following morning and the service to suffer. Scheduling an employee to work more than the allotted amount is also common, sometimes even twice in one day, causing unnecessary overtime payments. On top of their availability, each employee has their own talents as well as restrictions that can’t go unnoticed. Every scheduling blunder creates a dent structurally, and hurts the overall operation of any business.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We have all been through this here at EZShift. Striving to manage employees the best we can, yet still falling victim to some of the hardships that come along with the job. We have built EZShift based on these experiences and our extensive knowledge of the matter so it won’t happen to you.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">EZShift recognizes these conceivable situations and takes into consideration all imaginable complications that one endures during the demanding scheduling process. EZShift provides you with tools and assistance in finding solutions, and ensures that you will never make a scheduling mistake. Error elimination is one of the strongest attributes this software encompasses while allowing you to build a schedule with your criterion. Not only will you never make a mistake again, you will also save the headaches that come with this never-ending cycle.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.ezshift.com/">EZShift - Automatic Scheduling Software</a></div></span>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-76608913875426611512011-09-03T04:51:00.000-04:002011-09-03T04:51:00.223-04:00Employee Scheduling Requests- Is there any such thing as perfect?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font: 13px/22px Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>Employee scheduling is a vexing task</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>we must execute week-in week-out. Most industries such as healthcare, hospitals, food service, emergency services, factories, call centers, retail stores, and high-tech companies need to create an employee schedule in order to run the course of the week. Evidently, the nature of an individual industry is utterly unrelated to the common thread shared by all -creating an optimal employee schedule.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The building of such an agenda generally commences in the gathering of shift preferences handed over by employees.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>The form of gathering preferences fluctuates from scheduler to scheduler</strong>. Some request employees to leave notes with shift preferences, some leave it up to employees to decide amongst themselves, others ask each employee individually about availability. No matter what the approach, however, the handwritten method is bound to cause problems for an assortment of reasons.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Firstly, is the scheduler’s need to cope with a mass of post its left by employees. Such notes get lost easily, the amount of shifts handed over is often not satisfactory, some employees did not even bother giving in shift preferences. The overall outcome is unpleasant.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>The scheduler is forced to call up most employees either demanding more shifts</strong>, scolding those who forgot to leave preferences, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>spending much more time than necessary</strong>, building, fixing, editing, crossing out, and fiddling with the insufficient schedule.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The undeniable solution for such a mess is an<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>online portal which organizes all preferences correctly</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and allows for the creation of a smooth schedule. Yet, we must pause at this solution for a moment. Why so? Allowing a smooth organization of requests is wonderful yet does not yield for an optimal schedule. Like thriving civilizations throughout humanity who understood that an<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>establishment with no rules is doomed for failure</strong>, so should we.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>Picture this, a practically perfect world for the scheduler intertwining an online portal with a rule-engine</strong>:<br />
• A pre-set rule engine which easily enables employees to request or deny shifts online<br />
• A default which compels employees to leave available a certain number of shifts, otherwise, alerting the employee that requests will not be saved by the system unless followed by the specific guidelines<br />
• A deadline known to all employees for availability submission which is preset by the schedule manager. Employees can give in requests up to a certain hour but will not be able to hand in requests after the time limit. In essence, this takes a huge burden off the scheduler’s back.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Clearly, the ability to work with an online portal that is structured around a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>rule-engine</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is no other than necessary for an organization that strives to reach perfection.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Organization, employee satisfaction, and a company’s needs</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>are components of a well-tailored garment sewed to fit those game players eager to excel.</div></span>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-8853333801775254392011-09-02T16:44:00.000-04:002011-08-30T05:03:19.323-04:00Automatic scheduling - The good, the great and the better.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Imagine accomplishing your employee shift scheduling with a simple click of a button. In the past almost unimaginable – but now a reality with EZshift’s clever automatic scheduling software.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Automatic Scheduler Improves Your Time at the Workplace</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">It is guaranteed that by working with the online shift scheduler you will be able to take advantage of your time more efficiently. No longer will you waste time mulling over employee requests, become frustrated with troublesome shift planning, or be on alert when an employee calls in sick. You can sit back and relax because we brought someone to fill in for you – EZShift.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The online shift scheduler will practically do all of your work for you. This software is so clever it will take all the limitations and rules you dictate to it and give you optimal results under specified conditions. Your employee requests will no longer be overlooked (whether accidentally or due to oversight). Suddenly shifts that seemed either empty or swamped will be filled efficiently. Most important, you will finally be able to focus on what really matters- managing your organization efficiently and profitably!</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Communication with your employees is a key factor in running a successful organization. Statistics show that shift scheduling has a dramatic input in the intertwining of both game players. Happier employees mean a more dedicated and caring workforce. A dedicated and caring workforce equals a friendly working atmosphere and a winning staff. Your employees will want to do more for you and for your company.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Biggest Winner of all- the Company Itself!</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Money will be saved, company knowledge will be maintained, and shift scheduling will be regulated.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Who doesn’t want to save money? If you think about it, your current shift scheduling eats away at your cash like a hungry rodent. Depending on the amount of employees shift scheduling can take a substantial amount of time to build. Time equals money. Wouldn’t you like your team to invest their talents in developing your business rather than wasting it on the drudgery of shift scheduling?</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">On a different note, company ‘memory’ will be maintained. The manager who builds the schedule is the source of knowledge in the company. He/she knows which specific person is right in which specific shift, who is applicable for which position, and which limitations are most important when it comes to shift rules. What happens if the manager ends his/her time at your company? This information is lost forever. The EZShift scheduler, however, is perpetual, and your information is maintained no matter which managerial alterations occur.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Moreover, shift scheduling is closely regulated. Until now, you have had no choice but to rely on your shift scheduler that he/she was making the best working schedules possible. Now, the ability to monitor the work schedule is easy through EZShift. Often, as the head of the company you do not have time to look over the weekly schedule, let alone monitor it. It is impossible for you to know whether or not employee requests were answered, whether the workers most fitting for certain shifts were scheduled appropriately, or in the worst case scenario- whether the shift scheduler built the schedule based on personal preferences. But with EZShift, as the administrator, you have power to do anything you want on the software as well as the ability to SEE EVERYTHING. EZShift gives you another pair of eyes through which you can see the true nature of your staff’s working patterns.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">More than an automatic scheduler, EZShift is a tool. Like a magic wand, EZShift allows you to instantly exert control over things you would have never expected to influence in the past. Wave your wand and your workplace will thrive!<br />
What are you waiting for?</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.ezshift.com/">EZShift Scheduling Solutions</a></div>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-74013913138676855362011-09-01T16:36:00.000-04:002011-08-30T04:36:58.277-04:00Disadvantages of manual shift scheduling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">“As usual, Stacy forgot to hand me her shift preference, Danny called up saying he came down with the flu and my employee schedule looks like a war-zone. It’s so messy with all of these last minute changes – I don’t have time to deal with this!”</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">How often does your schedule manager have to cope with issues like these?</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">When they have to be managed manually these time consuming and inconvenient requests can become a daily nuisance.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What about YOU? </div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Firstly, let us take a moment to study the amount of time and effort you invest in the employee shift scheduling when you are the staff scheduler. Clearly, you have no choice but to deal with scheduling needs which are time consuming, tiresome, and which demand an extremely detailed understanding of the shifts.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">As a staff scheduler, the routine begins by requesting the workers’ availability for their weekly shifts. Some workers give in their shift requests on time, others forget, and several suddenly recall they have other obligations once the staff schedule has already been set. Frustratingly, you MUST fix these last minute and unexpected changes in order for the employee shift schedule to run its course. In short, a never-ending headache!</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What’s more, the employee shift scheduling eats away at time you could be investing in what really counts! Instead of dedicating your working hours to what you are actually skilled to do, you are forced to deal with petty shift schedules.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Your Workers are Suffering! Is This the Scheduler’s Fault?</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Let’s take a look at the workers’ side of the table. After all, every good manager knows that a linear relationship correlates between an employee’s satisfaction in his/her work place and the ultimate success of the establishment.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Are your employees as satisfied as YOU can make them? A worker’s satisfaction with his/her schedule is a key element in overall job satisfaction.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Often, employees ask their schedulers to place them in specific shifts, to swap them on certain days, to take into consideration they must leave at a certain hour, to keep in mind that they have a one-time specific obligation outside of work.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">But invariably, if you are in charge of scheduling you are bound to miss out on certain requests, whether due to oversight or to an inability to work around specific individual requests. As a result, your employees are dissatisfied, feel they have not been taken into consideration, and the efficiency of their work deteriorates. Everybody in the company suffers.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The organization could easily be cutting on costs, but instead incurs financial damage</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The weekly organizing of shifts becomes a task dreaded by the employees, managers, schedulers and surprisingly even the head of the company himself. Why, you ask?</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Well for an example, let’s take a look at one ordinary company. The scheduler reviews the weekly shifts he or she created for hours and decides to place the company’s most experienced employees on the Thursday eve’s “rush hour”. What if he or she makes a mistake and accidentally places the inexperienced employees on that shift? The company’s customers are disappointed and the establishment could face a future loss of clientele and a blow to its reputation – leading to a loss of revenue for the organization.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Is this the scheduler’s fault? Apparently it is, nevertheless, we are ONLY HUMAN.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Moreover, the organization cannot take advantage of its workers to the best of their abilities. In other words, the scheduler has so many organizational restrictions to keep in mind that he or she often does not place the employees in the most optimal shifts that suit both their skills and the company’s need. Such pitfalls occur due to an inability to view the broader picture. Handwritten shift schedules are the cause of this problem.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Clearly, handwritten shift planners damage the overall profit of the organization both directly or indirectly.</div>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-28948995984301167462011-08-30T04:20:00.000-04:002011-08-30T04:20:27.907-04:00EZShift Employee Scheduling Software<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; font: 13px/22px Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">EZShift offers an employee scheduling software for all sized businesses. Our software automatically places employees in the working schedule with almost no need for human intervention- our software does it all for you!</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Shift/employee scheduling software allow you to set and update your shift schedule. Our scheduling solution enables schedule management on the highest levels, both through manual and automatic shift scheduling. The schedule generator organizes employee shifts according to the specific organizational needs and employee preferences of each company due to its smart & simple rule system, which eliminates errors and shift conflicts completely. EZshift makes employee rotation quick and easy thanks to its workforce management and automatic update, crew scheduling, swap system, operational reports, training, and questionnaire applications.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">You can organize the shifts according to a weekly schedule, bi-weekly schedule or a monthly schedule.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Shift scheduling is needed in many industries like health care, hospitals, food service industries, emergency services, factories, call centers, retail stores, and high-tech companies. In all of these industries many issues are involved in the roster of the schedule like multiple shifts, shift rotations, fair shift distribution and many more.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Make life simple and try out our smart employee scheduling software!</div></span>EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2277219684939231190.post-10633608973892463982011-08-28T03:42:00.001-04:002011-11-21T10:34:15.869-05:00The new EZShift blog is now up and running!Many a cool stuff to look forward to.<br />
Mucho excited here!<br />
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In the mean while enjoy this cute video that symbolized nothing but fun beginnings to me. :)<br />
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Updates in a bit,<br />
Julie.EZShifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539381072230883534noreply@blogger.com0