It's time to tackle the annual summer planning. Once again, you face the challenge of ensuring that everyone gets what they want to the extent possible while also ensuring an adequate staffing level to keep the business running. Not to mention all the summer substitutes who need to be scheduled and introduced to the business. In this article, we share our 5 best tips for creating a successful summer schedule.
Before you start planning for summer, it's important to review the business's needs during the summer months. Take into account periods in the business that require increased or decreased staffing levels to effectively plan the schedule.
Be clear and communicate well in advance about the rules and guidelines that govern summer planning. Be open to feedback and be prepared to change the rules as needed. Creating a pleasant work environment may involve compromises, even if you have the final say.
To avoid conflicts and misunderstandings, it's important to gather requests from all employees regarding their summer plans. Give them the opportunity to specify their desired vacation dates and try to accommodate as many of them as possible.
Post advertisements for vacant positions or contact the staff in your substitute employee pool to cover absences during the summer. If you hire new substitutes, make sure they start a few weeks before regular staff go on vacation so they can familiarize themselves with the work and the team.
Encourage employees, including managers, to truly use their vacation for relaxation and recovery. Ensure that everyone takes at least three consecutive weeks of vacation during the summer and avoid being available via email and phone. But easier said than done, right? To truly recover, make sure to delegate business-critical tasks to a reliable colleague.
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