What are the best practices for creating a staff schedule that maximizes employee satisfaction?

1 Assess the workload

The first step in creating a staff schedule is to assess the workload and determine how many staff members are needed for each shift, role, and location. This requires analyzing the demand patterns, operational requirements, and service standards of the airline. You should also consider the skills, qualifications, and availability of your staff, as well as any legal or contractual obligations, such as minimum hours, overtime, or rest periods. By assessing the workload, you can avoid understaffing or overstaffing, which can affect employee satisfaction and performance.

2 Solicit preferences

The next step is to solicit preferences from your staff regarding their preferred shifts, days off, locations, and roles. This can help you create a staff schedule that respects their personal and professional needs, such as family commitments, education, health, or career development. You can use various methods to solicit preferences, such as surveys, interviews, or online tools. However, you should also make it clear that preferences are not guarantees and that you may have to make adjustments based on the workload and the airline's interests.

3 Ensure fairness

The third step is to ensure fairness in the staff schedule, which means that you distribute the workload, shifts, and opportunities equally and transparently among your staff. Fairness can enhance employee satisfaction by reducing conflicts, resentment, and favoritism. You can ensure fairness by using objective criteria, such as seniority, performance, or rotation, to assign shifts and roles. You should also avoid assigning too many or too few shifts, especially during peak or off-peak periods, to the same staff members. Additionally, you should provide opportunities for your staff to swap shifts or request changes if they have valid reasons.

4 Offer flexibility

The fourth step is to offer flexibility in the staff schedule, which means that you allow your staff to have some control and choice over their work arrangements. Flexibility can improve employee satisfaction by accommodating their preferences, needs, and circumstances. You can offer flexibility by providing different options, such as part-time, full-time, compressed, or split shifts, or allowing your staff to work from different locations or roles. You should also be open to feedback and suggestions from your staff on how to improve the staff schedule and make it more flexible.

5 Communicate clearly

The final step is to communicate clearly with your staff about the staff schedule and any changes or updates. Communication can foster employee satisfaction by keeping them informed, engaged, and valued. You can communicate clearly by using effective channels, such as email, phone, or online platforms, to share the staff schedule and explain the rationale behind it. You should also invite your staff to ask questions, raise concerns, or provide feedback on the staff schedule and address them promptly and respectfully. Moreover, you should acknowledge and appreciate your staff for their contributions and cooperation in the staff schedule.