This helps manufacturers mitigate risk across the different regions they operate in.
An advanced workforce management tool can help limit the chances of running afoul of those requirements and racking up financial penalties as a result. Workplace legislation is in a state of constant flux and spans an array of areas, from fair scheduling regulations to union policies, local and national labour laws, and more. Mitigate risk by staying on top of ever-changing regulatory requirements HR teams can control excess labour spend by creating and executing demand-based schedules designed to ensure that they always have the right person in the right place at the right time. Without the proper planning systems in place, manufacturers can easily go over budget with unplanned overtime and premium pay for shift workers. In 2021, manufacturing workers saw an average pay increase of 6%. Become more efficient and data-drivenĪlongside materials, equipment, and overhead, labour costs are among manufacturers’ biggest expenses. Not only does access to this kind of intelligence lead to better decisions, it also helps prevent the common delays and inaccuracies that come with integrating employee data from multiple systems. This level of workforce intelligence is possible when all employee data is on a single platform. You can increase your organization’s operational agility by making informed staffing decisions based on insights. That’s true for both major disruptive events like a global pandemic and normal day-to-day life.Īfter all, even the best planned schedules have to be updated on the fly due to factors ranging from unexpected shifts in demand and employee absences to inclement weather.Ī strong workforce management system works alongside people and processes to provide better visibility into labour costs, productivity, and engagement - all while connecting workers. In today’s volatile world, you need systems that help make change easier. This way, employees can work the shifts they want and don’t have to adhere to a mandated schedule that may not fit into their life. Strategic workforce planning tools help your build schedules that meet demand while still giving your workers more flexibility, rather than mandating ineffective schedules that don’t fit into their lives. The best manufacturers empower their employees - whether they’re full-time, seasonal, or gig workers - by providing them more autonomy and control over when they work. Offering that flexibility is an incredibly powerful way for manufacturers to create an attractive employee value proposition. According to our Pulse of Talent 2022 survey data, 40% of employees want more flexibility in their schedule. Take scheduling, which is particularly important among today’s workers. This means adopting technology that’s not only engaging and easy to use, but that also provides real value by giving your people greater control over their schedule, pay, and HR data. An important part of doing so is ensuring that the technology your employees use at work is just as convenient and intuitive as the technologies they use in their personal lives. Organizations that put their people first are fast becoming employers of choice. Below, we look at several ways manufacturers can use technology for strategic workforce planning to build a more resilient workforce. The key is having a sound workforce strategy in place as well as the right underlying technology to support it. Solving these workforce issues is critical to keep your workforce productive and competitive while also managing costs. Workforce management issues like these impact business continuity for many reasons, especially because of the operational risks they pose for manufacturers. Even more important, at a time when labour shortages are commonplace, filling open positions while also retaining existing workers has become an even bigger challenge.
Yet, despite these tailwinds, the industry faces a variety of challenges, from ongoing supply chain disruption to navigating digital transformation. Pent-up demand for consumer products continues to pave the way for continued growth in 2022 and beyond. Unlike many struggling industries, the manufacturing sector is in the midst of a major post-pandemic recovery.