Workforce Optimization (WFO) strategies allow organizations to streamline systems, meet fluctuating demand, and stay at peak performance. They include workforce solutions like engagement, recognition, and performance management platforms.
WFO also enables managers to efficiently allocate tasks to team members, which amplifies employee productivity levels. This involves monitoring performance and providing coaching where needed.
4 Workforce Solutions Optimizing Employee Productivity
1. Time Tracking
Tracking how employees spend their workdays is an eye-opener that encourages team members to take control of their time management. It can also be a great motivator to eliminate distractions and procrastination habits that decrease productivity.
Keeping up with employee activity is easier with a first-class solution that monitors and records all computer usage, apps, and websites during work hours. Moreover, it automatically categorizes all activities to create weekly reports that help identify any productivity-wasting behaviors.
Account managers, in particular, benefit from this functionality. It helps them determine if the client fee for a project is appropriate, given how much time it takes to complete the task.
Additionally, they can keep up with leave and staff sickness at the touch of a button. Plus, they can use their time-tracking data to estimate possible workloads for future periods. This helps them improve client services and better manage resources. It also reduces project overruns and enables them to meet deadlines.
2. Scheduling
Effective scheduling enables employees to manage their work hours and balance personal time. It also helps employees feel valued by their employers, increasing productivity.
Using workforce optimization software to streamline the process of creating employee schedules allows enterprises to ensure that they have enough staff to cover all business needs, including peak periods and holidays. It also eliminates inefficiencies such as unnecessary overtime.
Employees are most productive when they have a steady workload. One study found that stable scheduling increases worker productivity by 5%.
Whether you use workforce solutions like time tracking or workforce management software to create schedules, your company must consider employee preference when determining the best times for workers to be at work. For instance, some people prefer to go to the gym or have a long lunch before clocking in for their shift at 3 PM. Allowing them to choose their preferred changes can help minimize burnout and improve their overall job satisfaction; read more about available solutions.
3. Employee Self-Service
In a time when the home office and flexibility are becoming increasingly popular, strong teams are more important than ever. Employee self-service (ESS) platforms are indispensable for digitally synchronizing work across remote locations and kindling team spirit among employees.
Influential companies have dedicated, talented workforces. But supporting these workforces takes significant administration. Addressing payroll benefits, managing large amounts of essential yet time-consuming paperwork, and data management monopolize HR departments’ time and prevent them from being strategic assets to their organizations.
An ESS portal allows employees to handle various administrative tasks independently, reducing HR’s burden. It also gives team members direct control over their information by making it available anytime.
For example, a text-based ESS platform enables employees to update their contact information or employment details rather than calling or emailing the HR department to make changes. This saves time and reduces data errors.
4. Reporting
Employee data is a valuable asset that should be used holistically to optimize the workforce. HR teams can use analytics, call recording, quality management, text analytics, coaching, surveying, and more to analyze performance trends.
For example, if a salesperson isn’t meeting their monthly sales goals, managers can look at their performance history to see what has been going on. They might find that the person’s numbers dip in autumn when days shorten, and they could offer extra support to help them cope.
Conclusion
Workforce optimization (WFO) uses technology and systems to ensure employees have the necessary resources to complete their work. This includes time-tracking software, automated shift scheduling, and employee communication tools. Combined with a well-designed remote workplace strategy, this can improve employee productivity and morale. The bottom line is that employees must be empowered to do their jobs well without feeling micromanaged. That is how they will thrive.
