Note: in this context, shift "bidding" simply refers to the process of applying for a shift.
Shift bidding is a scheduling approach that allows employees to apply for their preferred work shifts and have more autonomy over their schedules. This process can be facilitated through shift bidding software that allows employees to bid for available shifts that align with their experience level, personal preferences, and availability. At its core, shift bidding provides a more employee-centered approach to scheduling, which results in various benefits:
One of the key benefits of shift bidding is its impact on staffing efficiency. With the shift bidding process, employers communicate vacant shifts to qualified employees, who then bid on the shifts they want to work. This helps ensure that the right person is in the right shift at the right time. For example, an employee who is an early bird may prefer to work morning shifts, while a parent may prefer to work in the afternoon while their child is at school.
Similarly, providing employees more autonomy over their schedules can reduce absenteeism. If employees are in control of their own schedules, they’re less likely to call off for the shifts they’ve committed to. In turn, this reduces strain on the volume of unforeseen/immediate need vacancies for scheduling departments to fill.
Shift bidding can save time by reducing or eliminating the need for manual scheduling processes. With the help of intelligent shift bidding software, organizations can leverage end–to–end automation to open, communicate, and award vacant shifts, whether they’re filling immediate or long-term vacancies. This empowers organizations to fill shifts quickly and efficiently, reducing the need for last-minute scheduling adjustments. In fact, Andgo customers have successfully filled 7x more shifts compared to previous manual processes.
Intelligent shift bidding solutions can help organizations better leverage their internal staffing resources before turning to expensive outside hires. Automating the absence workflow process provides transparency into the real-time movement of staff across the organization, empowers teams to quickly identify and fill the most critical shifts. This level of efficiency not only saves time but also helps organizations reduce labor costs by minimizing the need for overtime and external staffing services.
With Andgo, organizations can save an average of $3.50 for every $1 invested. Check out your potential savings with our shift filling savings calculator.
Providing employees more autonomy over their schedules can have lasting positive effects on employee retention rates. Implementing flexible work schedules can increase an employee’s sense of value and respect within the company, subsequently increasing satisfaction rates and reducing costly employee turnover. In fact, one customer experienced a 3x increase in employee satisfaction scores with the scheduling department after implementing Andgo. With nearly one-third of workers seeking out new jobs due to a lack of flexibility at work, there’s no better time than the present to implement shift bidding solutions that increase job satisfaction.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of shift bidding and how Andgo can help? Connect with us!