Top Workforce Management Challenges for SMBs

Running a business in today’s world is no small feat. Managing the labor is one of the most complex aspects, with compliance concerns and new challenges around every corner. Check out some of the most common struggles among business owners and company leaders, as well as how you can overcome them.

Tracking Employee Time

Considering that labor represents approximately 70 percent of a business budget, it makes sense to ensure accuracy on this side of the ledger. But without accurate time records, it’s nearly impossible to do so.

Manual timekeeping is prone to errors, whether intentional or accidental. Unfortunately, timecard errors result in the loss of up to 8 percent of the total company payroll. Time theft costs American businesses over $11 billion annually. Employers lose as much as 4.5 hours every week to this common problem.

If you’re still relying on paper timesheets and other manual efforts, it’s time to make the switch to automated timekeeping. You could save a significant chunk of your labor budget simply by avoiding the errors associated with paper processes.

Scheduling Employee Shifts

Filling shifts is another challenge faced by supervisors and managers across all industries. Proper staffing is critical to the customer experience and overall business success, but scheduling can eat up a lot of time.

The average restaurant manager spends 2.64 hours per week on employee scheduling, which represents nearly 7 percent of the workweek. Spreadsheet-based scheduling increases the time to 3.14 hours each week. Do your supervisors have that kind of time to spend on manual tasks?

We didn’t think so. Here’s a solution: WorkforceHub. The advanced scheduling tools built into the time and labor platform simplify every aspect of creating and filling shifts. You can get your time back without sacrificing happy customers. And shift swaps can be done right in the platform, taking you out of that equation.

Handling Paid Time Off Accruals

Paid time off is a critical benefit that many employees expect. But figuring out how to manage accruals and ensure compliance with regulations can be difficult, especially when you’re juggling other tasks.

Finding an automated system that can be customized based on company policy is the best solution. Say goodbye to spreadsheets and hello to a system that does it all: timekeeping, scheduling, and accruals, all in one place.

Dealing with Unplanned Overtime

With timekeeping and scheduling taken care of, supervisors can focus on more important tasks. But wait! Unplanned overtime is wreaking havoc on your business budget. What to do?

Take advantage of notifications that prevent overtime before it occurs. You can set up customized alerts that allow you to make staffing changes prior to employees going beyond 40 hours in a workweek. Problem solved!

Maintaining Compliance with Labor Laws

Labor laws are complex, ever-changing, and often specific to the state or even city/county in which the business operates. But one thing is for sure: Without access to detailed and accurate records, it’s nearly impossible to show that your organization is compliant.

WorkforceHub tracks time and attendance, including meals and breaks. It also records employee schedule history and provides all this data in comprehensive reports that help ensure you are ready for your next audit. Without access to this level of detail, you could end up fighting a long legal battle.

Getting Everyone Paid

In many companies, payroll processing happens at least twice a month. And when that time rolls around again, you want to be sure that every paycheck is accurate, reflecting the hours worked.

WorkforceHub allows for a seamless and simplified process. Plus, the Payroll Review Wizard ensures that employees and managers can review time data before it moves on for processing. Check for missing punches and errors to avoid mistakes that can cost thousands to correct. You no longer have to dread payroll time.

When you’re ready to eliminate these challenges from your day-to-day, we can help. Contact us at 251-273-4754 or visit LNJ Employer Services to learn more.