Tackling International Workforce Challenges: How Our Workforce Management Software Supports Global Growth

International expansion brings significant workforce management challenges. There are human factors to consider (such as language barriers), technical factors (i.e., software scalability) and legal factors (i.e., compliance with labor and data protection laws).

In this article, we explore how advanced workforce management tools – combined with industry expertise – helps international businesses overcome the key pain points when managing a global workforce.

International WFM Challenges – And How MANUS WFM Solves Them

1. Language Barriers

If a workforce management system only supports one language, employees who aren’t proficient in that language may struggle to access crucial information, leading to misunderstandings and compliance risks.

A survey of executives conducted by Forbes Insights and Rosetta Stone reveals the consequences of language barriers:

• 67% of executives said that the resulting miscommunications were causing inefficiencies
• 46% said it made collaboration difficult
• 42% said it compromised productivity
• 24% said it made it harder for management and executives to get respect from employees
• 24% said it makes it harder to attract and retain talent
• 16% said it actually reduced employee retention
• And 21% said it compromised worker safety

How MANUS WFM Breaks Down the Barriers

Our software supports 35 languages, including localized versions of the ESS Employee Self-Service (ESS) app, so each employee can use the system in their preferred language. This may also increase user adoption by making the experience more intuitive for non-native speakers.

What Does an Employee Self Service App Do?

Thanks to the ESS app, frontline workers can manage their availability, swap shifts, request leave and stay informed about their working hours – all from their mobile devices. They can also use the app to manage personal information and payment details, and receive communications from HR.

This flexibility directly supports work life balance, creating a better employee experience. When staff use the app regularly, it makes things easier for managers when it comes to employee scheduling, leave management and absence management. No more guesswork or chasing workers in order to make schedule changes.

2. Labor Law Compliance Chaos

Compliance with a wide range of labor laws is a major challenge, especially since laws also vary by state or province. On top of that, there’s the variation across roles and contract types. There are almost endless combinations of rule sets to manage.

Staying compliant everywhere can be daunting, and failing to do so isn’t an option. Global businesses need a reliable way to manage schedules in line with the law – without overloading HR teams.

How Our Workforce Planning Software Keeps You on the Right Side of the Law

MANUS WFM has a dedicated compliance engine that enforces different jurisdictions’ rules automatically. This reduces the chances of human error and the inadvertent violations that may follow.

For example, you can configure region-specific pay rules, as well as rules on maximum work hours or mandatory rest breaks – and anything else required by law. The system will flag any violations so you can address them immediately.

3. Data Security and Privacy Across Borders

Companies must meet the data protection and residency laws for different jurisdictions. Of course, laws such as the GDPR are pan-European, so that can make things more standardized. But what if you’re also operating in the United States? What if you’re operating in states such as California which have their own unique laws?

MANUS WFM Protects Your Data

In such situations, it’s crucial to work with a software provider that has the necessary expertise to manage your data correctly.

Again, our system is built with compliance and security in mind. Role-based access controls, encryption and region-specific data hosting options ensure that sensitive information stays protected.

4. Scalability Struggles

Expanding into new regions is as daunting as it is exciting – if your enterprise workforce management software isn’t up to the job. A solution that works for 2,000 employees might struggle to handle the burden of 20,000 or more.

Common Issues When Scaling

Problems encountered can include sluggish response times, data loss and system crashes. Key processes may be delayed, slowing efficiency.

Then there’s data and infrastructure management. Companies need to store ever-increasing datasets while maintaining the performance of database queries, and they need to ensure that data storage costs remain feasible.

But that’s not all. There’s the cost of hardware maintenance (if you’re not using a cloud solution). And the struggle of integrating and modifying software that’s not designed to scale.

A Workforce Management System Built For Scaling

Say Goodbye to Capacity Issues

Our software was built to be highly scalable, which is why many international companies use it. Our customers – in retail, logistics, industry and beyond – don’t need to get bogged down in addressing software performance issues because MANUS WFM handles the data of thousands of employees with ease. Instead, they can focus on optimizing efficiency and reducing labor costs.

Flexible Deployment

Of course, scalability isn’t just about capacity – it’s also about flexibility. The software supports complex organizational hierarchies and multi-site setups, giving you a unified global overview while still giving local managers appropriate control. It also supports many third-party integrations.

Streamlined Processes

The larger your workforce, the less manual work you want to be doing. Our WFM software ensures that administrative tasks are kept to a minimum. The principle of manage-by-exception applies here; your staff are alerted to deviations so they don’t have to perform unnecessary checks.

Automation is also introduced through dynamic workforce scheduling where historical data predicts labor needs. You can then create schedules that align with actual requirements.

But streamlining workforce management doesn’t end here – which brings us to the next point.

Beyond the Software – How Workforce Management Consultancy Takes Things Further

When you have clear WFM objectives, technology alone isn’t always enough. That’s why we provide workforce management consulting services.

Our industry experts are available to guide you on how to fine-tune the configuration in line with regional, operational and legal requirements. They can also help you improve your WFM processes in general and adapt the software to align with your desired business outcomes.

Conclusion

Managing an international workforce is complex by nature, but with the right workforce management solution, it doesn’t have to be a struggle. It can instead be a strategic advantage.

To recap, multilingual support, compliance automation and scalability provide a solid foundation for running global operations smoothly. In addition, WFM consultancy services deliver the human insight needed to adapt to each region’s unique requirements.

MANUS WFM is used by large, international companies that have tens of thousands of employees to manage. It’s a scalable solution founded on deep WFM expertise, allowing our customers to minimize costs and focus on growth. To learn more or request a demo, contact us today.