What is Workforce Management and Why Do I Need it in 2019?

There’s a lot that goes into keeping employees happy, engaged and productive. From understanding individual needs to accommodating schedules and promoting a good work/life balance, there are many demands that factor into a ensuring a motivated workforce. Keep in mind too, that what works for one business or industry can vary greatly for another.

Today, as the older workforce retires and makes way for younger Millennials and Gen Y, even the style in which workforces are being managed is shifting. All of these changes require a focus on the continued needs of employees and keeping them in line with business goals. That’s where workforce management comes in to help with the heavy lifting. 

Workforce management involves the combination of skills, tools, and solutions to ensure employees have what they need to do their jobs and that they feel appreciated and supported throughout their tenure. This positive work environment reduces churn and boosts productivity, among other benefits.

Here are a few of the main reasons businesses need Workforce Management tools today.

More Efficient Time and Attendance Tracking

Even if you feel you have your routine schedules down and everyone is happy with them, it’s impossible to predict sudden changes in demand or unplanned absences. The only way to be ready for these is with data that analyzes and pinpoints potential gaps in coverage so you’re never understaffed. These tools are also great support when needing to enforce attendance policies and coach employees on a one-on-one basis.

Better Forecasting & Budgeting to Support Goals

Better scheduling isn’t just about reducing the number of callouts. It also helps support goals and budgeting. With calculated forecasts, businesses can optimize how they deploy staff, improve time-off requests and even match workload goals with holiday time-off or labor demand changes – so there are no gaps in the process.

Improved Performance & Compensation Management

If there’s one stark change with younger generations entering the workforce today, it’s that they value experiences at work and aren’t as driven by compensation as prior generations have been. Finding a unique balance and creating incentives that drive these employees to perform optimally at their jobs is critical. With WFM software, businesses gain insights from performance reports and can track how effectively individual staff members are working, as well as reward those that have exceeded expectations in ways that are valuable to them.

If you’re ready to start increasing efficiency, productivity, and engagement in your workplace, it’s time you considered workforce management software. 

Edited by Erik Linask

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