5 tips to manage your modern workforce more efficiently

This article is part of Benefits Broker Confessional, where we talk shop with the leading minds in HR and break down the latest in benefits.

Managing full-time, part-time, temp and contract employees 

Your workforce may include all types of employees. Some may be paid hourly while others earn a salary, and you could have full-time, part-time, half-time, or even temps on your payroll. Contractors, or gig workers, may be part of the equation, leaving you wondering how to manage them all more efficiently.

We’re breaking it down with five helpful tips to improve the way you manage your modern workforce. 

What is workforce management?

Understanding what it means to manage a workforce efficiently is the first step toward happier, more productive employees. Every member of your team, regardless of classification, expects to be paid for the work they perform. Ensuring this expectation is met is a key element of managing the workforce. But it also includes other processes that optimize productivity, boost satisfaction and provide access to the tools needed to handle critical tasks.

Every role needs the right person in it to handle the responsibilities properly. Company leaders also have to address aspects like operational costs and returns, balancing these elements to create success. 

Absenteeism & workforce management 

Another aspect of workforce management is ensuring that employees are present and productive. Absenteeism can create significant issues if not handled early on, yet managing the need for time away from work requires careful planning and preparation.

All these factors work together, creating the overall management of a company’s workforce. With so many moving pieces, it’s easy to see how things can get overlooked. 

Here are five tips to improve efficiency in the workplace. 

Tip #1: Create effective schedules

100 percent productivity isn’t achievable. However, there are ways to improve how productive your team members are while at work. Engagement is a key factor in this metric, and engaged employees have access to the right tools to take care of their tasks, along with good communication tactics and minimal distractions.

Effective scheduling is an absolute must when it comes to achieving higher productivity rates. Employees who understand when they are expected to be at work and what responsibilities lie ahead can make the most of their resources and plan their time more efficiently. Utilizing scheduling tools allows you to maximize your workforce and keep everyone in the loop.

Tip #2: Understand what matters most to each employee

Identifying the factors that matter most to your team members can provide valuable insights into how to better support them. In order to understand each employee better, it’s vital to get to know them on a personal level.

By gleaning these insights, you can also identify their motivation that helps them work toward and achieve goals. 

Tip #3: Invest in the hiring process

The time to determine whether an employee is a good fit, not only in the open role but also with the overall culture, is before they are brought on board. Taking the time throughout the hiring process to get to know each potential new hire can save your business a lot of time, money and hassle.

Hiring someone just to fill an open position can be costly, especially if high turnover rates are plaguing your organization. Investing in the hiring process is a worthwhile endeavor, and it becomes simpler when you have access to the right recruiting and onboarding tools. 

Tip #4: Empower employees to manage data

Giving employees access to manage their own data is a win all the way around. For managers and company leaders, time is freed up to spend on tasks that benefit the organization. Employees also feel empowered when they take responsibility for their information and requirements. 

A platform that includes employee self-service is beneficial to all workforce managers Supervisors don’t have to manage time and labor data or make changes when employees move or experience life changes.

Another key advantage is that self-service access allows team members to view benefit information, request and view time off and explore their accruals, as well as see their upcoming schedules and make any necessary changes before it’s too late.

Tip #5: Keep compliance to protect team members and the business

Federal and state laws provide protections to employees around working hours, scheduling, workplace safety, access to benefits, and receiving fair pay. Your business must remain in compliance with these regulations to avoid harsh penalties and fines. But since the laws are ever-changing, it can be difficult to comply.

One of the key elements of compliance with labor laws is keeping accurate time records. If you don’t know when employees are working, their pay may be inaccurate. You could also end up with employees working overtime, which can wreak havoc on your business budget. An efficient time and labor platform is an absolute must for every business, regardless of its industry or size. 

As you consider how to implement these tips with your workforce, you can create streamlined and efficient processes that free up time while boosting engagement and productivity rates. Protect yourself, your team members and your organization by investing in more effective hiring processes, compliance efforts and employee empowerment.