If you’re new to the concept of workforce management and workforce management software, then you’ve come to the right place. With over 30 years as a WFM leader, we’ve helped companies (big and small) implement solutions that have revolutionized their business processes. We hear a few questions more frequently than others, so here are some of today’s most commonly asked questions surrounding workforce management.
1. What is Workforce Management?
There is quite a bit that goes into workforce management, and you may come across varying definitions. Put simply, workforce management consists of all the tools, activities, and processes that combine to manage labour. These tools can easily increase productivity and efficiency across the entire organization to which it is being applied.
2. What Does Workforce Management Manage?
Workforce management encompasses time management, absence management, employee management, payroll calculations and benefits management, and all aspects of scheduling. It takes all of the factors that go into organizing a workforce and finds processes to automate and simplify current systems.
3. Why Do I Need a Workforce Management Solution?
Every business benefits from a workforce management solution. A workforce management solution can reduce payroll errors, payroll processing times, unauthorized absences, and payroll inflation including overtime. It improves labour reporting while eliminating the costs and risks associated with paper time cards, such as buddy-punching and time fraud. A huge positive of a workforce management solution is the amount of saved time and money.
4. What Type of Workforce Management Solutions Are Available?
Time and Attendance Software – labour tracking, data collection, and time tracking.
Absence Planning Software – both managed and unmanaged leaves along with productivity.
Workforce Planning Software – long-term forecasting and variance management.
Scheduling – optimization, short-term forecasting, and shift tracking.
5. How Do I Get My Employees to Buy In?
Workforce management can sound intimidating to employees when first introduced. It can instill fear that the purpose is to track and monitor employees for disciplinary action if certain standards aren't met.
Being upfront and honest about the changes will ease people’s minds. If employees feel like they are part of the process from the beginning, it will seem more collaborative and less threatening. When you set out clear expectations and reward early adopters, you can help your employees see the benefits in day-to-day operations. Showing your employees that workforce management will make their jobs easier, will go a long way in achieving their collaboration. In addition, it helps employees get paid properly which is something all of us wants.
6. What Happens if Employees Forget to Clock In and Out?
This depends entirely on you and what you would like to happen. The software can be customized to suit your needs, including making provisions as employees adjust to the new system.
The purpose of workforce management is to make your business more efficient, saving you time and money while giving greater accountability to your employees. The sooner that everyone is using this software in their everyday processes, the sooner workforce management will benefit your business from the top down.