Work Schedule Optimization Process - Consumer Products Company

An Educated Employee Is An Engaged Employee

In late 2006, a manufacturing division of a Fortune 100 consumer products company asked Round-The-Clock Systems to conduct a 24/7 Work Systems Analysis, in order to identify the causes for high turnover among their hourly employees. Two major factors identified during this 24/7Analysis were: employees' negative opinion (46% Dislike or Strongly Dislike) of their shift schedule, which had been selected by the Company; and the dominant belief among 55% of employees that they could not adjust successfully to that work schedule. During the multi-phase Work Schedule Optimization Process Consultation that followed this comprehensive assessment, Round-The-Clock Systems delivered two types of education aimed at improving employees' understanding of and commitment to their shiftwork assignment. Such understanding and commitment is crucial to building positive employee morale. Moreover, it is the underpinning of employee retention and effective job performance. For this global consumer products company, the investment in employee training has paid off in three significant ways that are summarized below.

Improved Endorsement of Work Schedule

The initial 24/7 Analysis undertaken by Round-The-Clock Systems in late 2006 determined that just 37% of the hourly employees in this manufacturing plant wanted to keep the current 24/7 shift schedule on a permanent basis. As part of the Schedule Optimization Process conducted at this plant, Round-The-Clock Systems conducted a Strategic Schedule Design Briefing for all hourly employees. This Briefing presents research on the impact that alternative schedule design features for 24/7 shift schedules have on employee safety, health, performances and quality of home life. Data collected following this Briefing revealed that:

• 98% of shift employees preferred the length of shift hours in their current schedule versus alternative length-of-workday options;
• 97% preferred the number of consecutive workdays on their current schedule versus alternative consecutive-workday options; and
• 68% preferred the rotation pattern on their current schedule versus alternative rotation options.

Moreover, three months after the Briefing, when given five other 24/7 shift schedules they could select over their current schedule, 83% to 92% of these shift employees wanted to keep their current 24/7 shift schedule on a permanent basis rather than implement an alternative work schedule that had schedule design features they previously had indicated that they preferred. In other words, employee education on work schedule features and their effects proved crucial in enhancing these employees' understanding of the impact of different shift schedules on their work performance and personal lives.

Increased Commitment to Shiftwork Readiness

The challenges of shiftwork are many, and employees have to be committed to and capable of adjusting to their shift assignment in order to be healthy, productive, and safe at work. Yet, this state of shiftwork readiness-defined as the ability to be healthy, productive and safe regardless of the time of day or day of the week being worked-does not happen naturally for over 80% of shift employees (Folkard & Hunt, 2000). To assist this global consumer products company in preparing its personnel for shiftwork readiness, Round-The-Clock Systems delivered its Shiftwork: How To Cope® Advanced Program to all shift employees (a work group with an average tenure of ten years ) at this large manufacturing facility. This four-hour seminar taught shift employees to understand the circadian rhythm system and the human sleep and digestive cycles, and provided concrete, proven strategies for employees to use in preventing sleep deprivation and on-the-job microsleeps, enhancing on-shift alertness, eliminating digestive disorders, overcoming fatigue and heightening energy levels at work and at home. As a result of this training:

• 88% of the participants reported that they had “learned new information that is valuable to their lives;”
• 84% reported that they “intended to use the information they learned to improve their health, safety and performance;” and
• 75% reported that they “definitely believe I can adjust successfully to my shift schedule,” while just 8% held to the position that they could not adjust successfully-a significant reversal in employees' attitude in just a few months.

Increased Employee Retention

Most importantly, this improvement in shift employees' understanding and commitment has resulted in a significant turnaround in employee retention among both new hires and tenured employees. Compared to its initial turnover rate, this manufacturing plant has reduced turnover by 56% in one year's time.

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