Why is Time Evaluation Vital in Manufacturing?

Industry / 26 Jul 2023

In the context of production, time evaluation means looking at the relationship between employee performance and production processes. Reviewing this data side by side can highlight bottlenecks that are slowing down processes, so they can be addressed and waste can be reduced.

Time evaluation can also help to improve delivery schedules through gathering data on shipping processes. Through identifying inefficiencies in this area, companies can reduce lead times and improve on-time delivery rates, thus improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Let’s explore in more detail how time evaluation helps in achieving the above – and more.

Optimizing the Production Process and Enhancing Employee Productivity

When the time employees spend working does not lead to the expected output, it’s time to troubleshoot. Time evaluation data highlights such discrepancies and from there, managers can look for the root cause.

If productivity is unexpectedly low in certain areas or among certain teams, this may indicate a need for further training, or perhaps an issue with the managers overseeing the team in-question. Likewise, employees that are meeting and exceeding productivity targets can be rewarded, further incentivizing high performance.

Some workforce management systems also monitor how time is spent on specific tasks within the production process, helping to pinpoint exactly where the inefficiencies arise. Manufacturers may then develop ways to optimize workflows and eliminate unnecessary tasks.

Staying Flexible When Sudden Changes Occur

In manufacturing, unexpected changes are inevitable, such as rush orders, machine breakdowns, or supply chain disruptions. Time evaluation enables companies to stay agile and respond effectively to these sudden changes, helping inform resource allocation, so that the right staff are available to meet changes in demand.

Generating Efficient Schedules

Efficient scheduling is crucial for maximizing manufacturing productivity. Software can automate the process of creating schedules by considering factors such as production targets, available resources, and employee skills.

Keeping production at its maximum is not possible when workers are only trained on specific equipment, for example, so having an intelligent system to match tasks with the right personnel ensures optimal resource utilization and minimizes idle time. In other words, it schedules the right worker to be in the right place at the right time.

Fair Scheduling for Shift Workers
Given the prevalence of shift work in manufacturing, it’s important to have the tools to ensure that shifts are allocated or rotated fairly. Workforce management software provides the oversight to make this possible, ensuring that nobody is left with the short end of the stick repeatedly.

The consequence of poorly-managed shifts include stress, sleep problems and other negative health outcomes, as well as lower job satisfaction. The link between wellbeing and productivity is confirmed by various studies, showing that not only do greater levels of wellbeing lead to enhanced productivity but also to lower absenteeism and other positive outcomes.

WFM software makes it extremely easy to create fair schedules for a large, multinational workforce while staying in compliance with labor laws.

How Will Robotics Affect Shift Allocation?
The use of industrial robotics in Europe is forecast to have an annual growth rate of 6.49% between now and 2028. The deployment of robotic assistants on the production line and elsewhere within manufacturing and maintenance brings about new requirements for scheduling.

Instead of re-adjusting resource allocation approaches manually, WFM software with its robust time evaluation capabilities provides the insights required to optimally deploy staff alongside their robotic counterparts. This ensures that not too many and not too few human workers are stationed where they need to be for maximum productivity.

Other Benefits

Complying with Diverse Labor Regulations
Multinational organizations often face the challenge of complying with diverse labor regulations. Time evaluation helps mitigate compliance risks by accurately processing data regarding employee work hours, breaks, and overtime – no matter how many jurisdictions the organization operates in.

Reducing Labor Costs
Labor costs are a significant expense. Time evaluation provides comprehensive visibility into labor utilization; analyzing data on labor productivity, overtime allocation, and absenteeism helps in identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements and cost savings – without compromising production output.

Identifying Training and Development Needs
Time evaluation data has an important role in talent management. As mentioned, if low productivity is detected, training needs may be uncovered and the organization can then implement targeted development programs. In addition, by identifying high-performing talent, companies have a shortcut when putting individuals forward for internal promotions.

Training and development is essential for motivating Gen Z employees, so keeping on top of their needs is a must.

How Workforce Management Systems Enable Time Evaluation

Without the right workforce management software, there is no way to get the benefits that time evaluation brings to the table. Below are several ways in which the software makes it possible – in addition to having an advanced, time evaluation engine.

Data Collection and Management

Accurate data collection is the foundation of time evaluation. Manual and outdated time and attendance tracking methods such as paper-based timesheets often contain errors, which means that even if a company aggregated this data manually for analysis, the results may be skewed.

A workforce management software solution automatically processes all time and attendance data based on schedules and clock-in/out times. The time evaluation engine can then get to work.

Automation

Workforce management software streamlines and automates a range of everyday tasks relating to time evaluation and beyond. It seamlessly handles:

Time and attendance tracking
Employee scheduling and leave management – employees can request time off digitally, while managers can easily review and approve requests.
Automatically provides data for payroll processing, ensuring accurate and timely payment calculations while integrating with relevant labor laws and collective agreements.

Integrations

A flexible workforce management solution integrates with various other systems to streamline workflows even more, ensuring that you get the most value out of your time evaluation data.

Data Analytics Tools
Feeding your workforce data into a powerful analytics platform allows for the most comprehensive insights – not just when it comes to productivity, but also turnover, training and development, compensation and benefits, diversity, employee engagement, and much more.

ERP Tools
Integrating WFM and ERP tools enables seamless data flow and synchronization between the two systems, eliminating the need for manual data entry, therefore saving time and reducing errors. This integration provides a holistic view of workforce-related data and operational information, allowing for better decision-making and resource allocation.

By combining WFM and ERP systems that have production planning tools, businesses can align workforce capacity with production demands in real-time. This integration also streamlines payroll processes and enables collaboration between departments, such as HR, finance, and operations.

Supply Chain Management Software
Integrating WFM software with Supply Chain Management (SCM) software allows for efficient coordination between workforce planning and supply chain operations. As with the above examples, it assists with forecasting labor requirements and allocation resources based on demand.

The integration also enhances collaboration and communication between the departments involved in supply chain operations. Teams can work then quickly respond to changes, such as unexpected orders, capacity constraints, or supply disruptions.

The Best Workforce Management Software for Time Evaluation

Using an enterprise workforce management system allows multinational organizations to derive all the key benefits we’ve discussed in this article. MANUS WFM is built upon an advanced time evaluation engine that provides the following:

Accurate and timely pay slips guaranteed for all legislative requirements, Collective Labour Agreements, or local business regulations.
Complete adherence and for multinational corporations; certified ISAE3402 and GDPR compliant.
Centralized management of multinational and multibranch operations within a single database, accommodating diverse legislations and regulations across all parts of your organization.
Customizable parameters within regulatory frameworks, allowing flexibility based on employee type, role, location, department, or even individual employees, if necessary.
Constant updates aligning with regulatory changes to ensure precise calculations at all times.
The re-calculation analyzer provides a detailed trail, explaining the reasoning behind the results obtained.
The employee self-service app lets staff view their schedules and request time off. This reduces the number of queries that HR have to handle and makes it easier and quicker for employees to have their leave approved, which naturally improves employee sentiment towards the company.

Summary

Time evaluation is a powerful tool that manufacturing companies need to include in their arsenal in terms of increasing output. It all starts with monitoring productivity – and from there, management can explore the causes of low productivity and uncover areas for improvement.

Time evaluation is an integral part of the best workforce management systems. WFM software gathers time and attendance data which is automatically passed to the time evaluation engine for further processing. From there, reports are generated so that management can gain insights and, for the most comprehensive insights, the system will pass data to an external analytics system.

Aside from the productivity benefits, time evaluation helps in generating the most optimum schedules. It also handles compliance and absence management, and reduces labor costs. All in all, it provides the ultimate agility in workforce management.

With the ever-growing competitive pressures in the manufacturing sector, adopting time evaluation software becomes a strategic advantage, enabling companies to thrive in a fast-paced and demanding industry.

MANUS is the most experienced provider of workforce management solutions serving multinational organizations world-wide. With its flexible integrations, our solutions ensure the most streamlined HR processes. To book a demo, contact us today.

Why Retailers Need to Focus on Contract Mix for Optimal Results

Retail / 12 Jul 2023

To succeed in retail today, it’s not just about having the right product at the right price. The best service level for customers is a key differentiator in this competitive industry and, as such, organizations need to focus on the contract mix of their staff in order to achieve optimal results.

Including a mix of permanent, temporary and seasonal contracts improves employee productivity, efficiency, flexibility, and ensures optimal coverage for meeting customer needs.

In this article, we’ll explore how refining the contract mix can help retailers adapt to changing business needs so that the right worker is always in the right place at the right time.

The Benefits of Diversifying the Contract Mix

Maximizing Staffing Flexibility

One of the primary benefits of a well-planned contract mix is the ability to achieve optimal staffing flexibility. Retailers face fluctuating customer demands, which can vary based on factors such as time of day, day of the week, and seasonality. Employing a mix of full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers allows retailers to adapt their workforce to match these changing demands.

Full-time employees provide stability, consistency, and specialized expertise, and can take on more extensive responsibilities, while part-time and on call staff offer flexibility and cost-effectiveness during peak periods.

This combination ensures that the right number of staff members are available to handle customer needs, reducing wait times, enhancing service quality, and ultimately driving customer satisfaction and increase sales.

Cost Efficiency and Resource Allocation

This is a critical aspect of retail operations and, along with workforce planning software, the contract mix approach helps retailers to control their labour expenses.

Full-time employees, while typically more costly, offer a dedicated workforce that can handle core responsibilities and provide in-depth product knowledge. On the other hand, since part-time and seasonal workers allow organisations to adjust staffing levels according to demand fluctuations, having these workers on the payroll prevents overstaffing and unnecessary wage expenses during slower periods.

There’s also the benefit of having extra employees available to cover during maternity leave, sick leave, holidays, and so on.

Ultimately, a mix of contracts therefore allows labour costs to be optimized without compromising service quality.

Enhancing the Customer Experience

A mix of contracts ensures that organizations have the right people available to deliver top quality customer experiences.

Full-time employees, with their deeper understanding of products and processes, can provide personalized assistance and build long-term customer relationships, while part-time and seasonal workers help bridge the gap, taking on the extra workload during peak times and ensuring a quick response. Collectively, the two types of employees can ensure that customer needs are always met.

Talent Pool for Future Hiring

Seasonal employment allows retailers to identify potential talent for future full or part-time positions. Offering seasonal workers with permanent positions also saves on recruitment and training costs, while the company benefits from employees that are already familiar with the company’s operations and culture.

Giving part-time and seasonal workers the opportunity to gain skills, explore career options, and potentially transition into full-time roles will also boost engagement and create a positive reputation for the company as an employer.

Pros and Cons of Employing Part-Time Workers

Pros

As well as the benefits discussed above, here are several more benefits.

Diverse Skillsets
Part-time workers can bring diverse skills and expertise to the team, as they often have experience from various industries or occupations. Employing these workers can also help businesses tap into niche or specialized skills that may not be readily available within the full-time workforce, bringing unique expertise to specific projects.

Cross-Training
Due to the flexible nature of part-time work, it can be convenient to cross train part-time employees and be prepared to move staff between departments during busy seasons. Full-time staff, with their daily responsibilities, may not have the time to take on additional training when it’s needed. And again, part-timers with experience in various types of work may easily adapt to new types of tasks.

Diversity
By offering part-time positions, organizations can attract a wide range of individuals, including students, parents, retirees, and those seeking supplemental income. This encourages a diverse workforce full of new perspectives, ultimately enriching the organizational culture.

Cons

There are some challenges to overcome with the contract mix, but nothing that cannot be easily resolved. These challenges include:

Increased Workload for Managers
With the additional training and supervision on hiring seasonal workers, the workload for managers increases, but without the long-term benefits that come with part-timers. Integrating part-time workers into existing teams and workflows may also require additional effort.

Scheduling Challenges
Managing part-time workers can be more challenging due to their varying schedules and availability, requiring additional coordination and communication efforts. In addition, part-time workers may face challenges in balancing multiple job commitments or personal obligations, potentially leading to increased absenteeism or scheduling conflicts.

Team Building Challenges
Since part time workers aren’t present as much as full-timers, the opportunities for building rapport among teams are reduced.

Less Commitment and Motivation
Part-time workers may have less commitment compared to full-time employees and may be more inclined to prioritize their other commitments or seek better opportunities elsewhere. In addition, the reduced job security and fewer benefits compared to full-time employees may lead to lower motivation and job satisfaction.

More Complex WFM Processes
Employing part-time workers may require additional administrative tasks and compliance with labour laws and regulations related to part-time employment, making workforce management processes more complicated.

Overcoming the Cons

To overcome motivation challenges, implement recognition and reward programs that acknowledge the contributions of part-time workers, helping to build a sense of belonging and motivation.

Make sure that tangible rewards are included, and not just titles such as “employee of the month”. After all, if they are not emotionally invested in the company, such titles may not make a difference. However, genuine rewards will help those with the least motivation to be productive.

In addition, provide clear career development opportunities for part-time workers – after all, while many part-timers are not looking for a long-term career in the industry they work in, some of them will, and those are the ones you want to retain most of all.

Another way to provide temporary cover while ensuring maximum motivation is to hire paid interns. They can provide hands-on assistance with everyday tasks as well as learn new skills and work within different departments. As they are there to learn and develop, they may be more invested than part-time staff and could progress into full-time positions later.

As for team building, increase the opportunities that full and part-time staff have to interact with each other, though company events, social activities and meetings.

Finally, scheduling challenges are overthrown thanks to workforce management software. These tools facilitate better coordination of part-time workers’ varying schedules and help provide clear communication channels to address scheduling conflicts.

How a Workforce Management System Improves Contract Mix Optimization

Enterprise workforce management software plays a vital role in contract mix optimization, helping organizations to manage their schedules, labour costs, and much more. It’s the key to having the right employee in the right place at the right time, at the right cost.

Workforce software helps in the following ways:

Provides real-time visibility into employee availability, making it easier to assess the contract mix and identify opportunities to balance full-time, part-time, and seasonal contracts.
Automates scheduling processes, for the efficient allocation of shifts based on demand and employee availability.
Enables accurate demand forecasting so that managers can determine the appropriate number and type of contracts needed.
Workforce management solutions can integrate with analytics software, enabling managers to deeply analyse workforce trends and make data-driven decisions.
Streamlines communication between managers and employees, ensuring clarity and reducing scheduling conflicts.
With automated alerts and notifications, the software ensures the timely management of schedule changes.
The best workforce management software automates compliance with labour laws.

In addition, the Employee Self-Service functionality provided by the reduces the admin involved with scheduling. Employees can manage their own data, submit leave requests, view upcoming schedules, and keep their availability up to date.

Conclusion

Having the right employee in the right place at the right time is crucial to providing the best service in retail, and the strategic management of the contract mix makes this easier.

Balancing full-time, part-time, and seasonal contracts allows retailers to adapt to demand fluctuations and provide exceptional customer service. It also reduces the risk of burnout for full-time staff and provides a pool of talent for full-time openings.

While the scheduling and admin is more complex with a mix of contracts on the payroll, workforce planning software make it easy. With features for handling time and attendance tracking, benefits administration, absence management and more, workforce management tools streamline HR processes and reduce labor costs.

To discover whether MANUS WFM is the right workforce management software for your organization, today to book a demo.