| | How to Avoid Getting Bogged Down With Schedule Change Requests
Shift change requests are one of those issues that may seem minor
but can become a major irritant and time-waster for owners and
managers. Here are some insightful comments from the
RestaurantOwner.com Discussion Forum on this topic -
Original post: I am constantly "fighting" with my waitstaff about
the shifts they want to work, and the ones they don't want to
work. They all want all of the hours they can get, BUT, then they
want this night off and that night off for dates, parties,
concerts, whatever. How do you get them to understand that if
they want all of this time off, we have to hire extra staff to
fill in these shifts. Then they get upset because they can't get
enough hours. Any advice from some of you "seasoned" owners?
Reply 1: When we schedule servers they are expected to work the
shifts they are scheduled. If they want off, they have to get
themselves covered. A note goes up on the board, someone signs it,
then a manager approves and signs it. If they can't or don't get
themselves covered, they are no longer welcome to work for us.
It's as plain and simple as that.
Reply 2: A good policy to have in order to minimize a manager's
role in keeping up with schedule change requests is to maintain a
logbook for all schedule changes. Inform your staff that if
scheduled, they are responsible for finding a replacement in the
event they need off for a scheduled shift.
Once they find a replacement, either by exchanging shifts with
another employee or just getting another employee to cover their
shift, have them write it in a log book reserved solely to keep up
with schedule changes. Most office supply stores carry 365 day
journals or diaries in various sizes that will work perfectly for
this task.
Managers must approve the change by notating it in the log before
the change becomes effective. This way, the manager can verify
that the substitute employee is qualified to handle the shift and
that by making the change it doesn't cause the employee to go
into overtime.
Finally, rather than re-writing the posted schedule to reflect
changes, simply place an asterisk on the originally scheduled
employee's shift so that everyone knows to look in the log book
for changes.
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| | Posted 7/11/2006 6:20 PM - 7 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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