For many organisations, labour is the highest business cost and it can also be the most variable cost as organisations shrink and grow in employee size.
Gaining better insight into these costs and how to manage them more effectively can deliver significant bottom line benefits to organisations.
Many organisations still rely on manual processes, spreadsheets or outdated technology to manage their workforce, which means they may not be achieving the potential cost savings and efficiency benefits.
"Using manual processes opens up the possibility of errors, particularly when it comes to rosters and leave management," says Leslie Tarnacki, VP and GM, A/NZ, WorkForce Software Company.
"It makes it difficult for organisations to get a clear picture of how their workforce is performing and where they may need to make changes.
"You can’t change what you can’t measure. By automating these processes and including self-service options for employees, companies can dramatically reduce the amount of time required to manage their employees according to various workplace regulations and legislation.
"And they can unlock the benefits of a leaner, better-managed workforce."
As well as reducing the amount of time it takes to manage employees, automating workforce management can deliver better insight into the strategic strength of the workforce, better utilisation of resources (resulting in lower costs) and greater levels of compliance.
Automated workforce management software lets companies:
- revolutionise the way rosters are developed to optimise workforce utilisation
- ensure workers have enough rest between shifts to manage fatigue
- manage leave and absences more effectively and according to legislation
- track work hours and activities to measure and enhance productivity
- maximise payroll efficiency and manager effectiveness
- boost employee accountability and morale
"According to a study by the Aberdeen Group automated workforce management software users achieve 54 per cent more increase in revenue per full-time equivalent worker for those organisations that automate time and attendance, compared with those that don’t," Tarnacki adds.
"They also achieve three times more customer satisfaction for organisations that automate absence and/or leave management solutions, compared with those that don’t."
Tarnacki believes automated workforce management software lets organisations get the visibility they need to ensure adequate (but still lean) staffing levels, controlling labour costs and improving productivity.