My business runs 24/7. Most of my employees are working 60 hours a week. As you can guess the overtime is expensive. I am wondering if I could bump up their pay some and go to more of a 4/12 shift. I just have a feeling the younger employees just are not as motivated by money. But where the sweet spot pay wise is the magic question. They feel better, work less, and the business isn’t paying as much in overtime. Have any of you experimented with this with any success?
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I haven’t but I know people who work a 4 day/12 hour shift and they do like it a lot. It’s not for everybody. So, I’d talk to your folks first before going to it. You may get some that like it and some that don’t.
Thank you
I come from a Power Plant background. Historically it was a 4-crew 3-shift rotating business. In the 90’s we moved our guys to a 12-hour schedule.
We evaluated a bunch of options and we went with a modified DuPont schedule.
Check this out.
DuPont Schedule for 24/7 Shift Coverage
We used a modified version of this that worked for us and limited overtime as well as the call-out schedule when folks called in sick.
As an owner/manager I’d put together a few options that cost you less money, then poll my workers on which one(s) they prefer.
Can you bump their pay, reduce their hours, and hire more people? Taking less profit to make your employees happier, makes your customers happier which makes you happier.
I would have to bump their pay. But they would probably have to take a 10 percent pay cut to make it viable. Due to competition and the economy, giving them raises and reducing hours is not viable. I already talked to a few workers who have families and they are interested it the fact they will work 11 less weeks a year
Reduce hours, bump up pay. 12 hour days suck and will leave your employees drained
They already work 5 days 12 hours a week. My guess is some will like 11 more weeks off a year. Personally as a family, I would do it. But I also know with inflation, everyone is hurting financially right now
What kind of business are you in? Different work models mean different scheduling models.
I’m familiar primarily with retail, which has no need for fixed shifts. You schedule people the intersection of when they are available and when you need them.
Is this a job that requires enough skill that you can’t just hire more people? Or are there per-employee fixed costs like insurance that you’re covering that make it less attractive financially?
Very few people actually want to work 60 hours a week. It’s not just younger employees; they’re just more willing to say it. People generally want to work 40 hours and from that be able to afford to pay their bills and live their life.
There is no labor shortage. There’s a wages shortfall. If you pay enough money you can get as many employees as you want in the vast majority of the country.
I know folks who loved a 4/10s schedule so I suppose in contrast to 60 total hours 4/12s would be preferable. It’s down to what individuals like and what the work is like. 10-12hours is a long shift, but the three days off was a nice counterweight.
Though even with a base pay bump this will likely come out to a decrease in overall pay for them and anyone who liked the extra income from overtime might balk.
And the bit about young people, I’m a millennial, but some folks are learning to value their time and their peace. The price of being worked that hard is higher. Shortening hours might actually be valued in that regard, just don’t let the total compensation drop very much.
Thank you for your thoughts. I didn’t mean to disparage the younger crowd. I have a young family (but I’m old lol) and time with my young kids is paramount. I am also worried about working 60 hours a week day in and day out. I think for a short time it’s okay but eventually it will catch up with you. I think it also pushes the envelope on safety. Life is short and you have to find a good mix wherever ever that may be.
I’m glad you heard me out. And yes, time with loved ones is so important. I hope you find the safest schedule for your business and your staff.