Management Articles

While a simple spreadsheet-based timesheet is also an electronic timesheet, it is Web based solutions that we generally call an electronic timesheet solution these days. A Web-based solution makes the system accessible to all authorized persons through an Internet-connected computer from anywhere in the world.

Automated rostering is an effort at reducing the complexity and cost of the rostering exercise. In areas such as national healthcare, it is highly important that people with the right skills be scheduled to each shift and ward, while at the same time reducing the cost. A typical solution is to engage temporary staff provided by specialist agencies to meet any foreseen shortages.

Absenteeism is a cost for almost all businesses (except perhaps in totalitarian regimes). Employees can be absent on authorized and scheduled leave to which they are entitled. At other times, they might take unscheduled leave, still within permitted limits. Yet other times, they might just absent themselves.

Time and attendance recording is the key function in any workforce management system. The workers work for pay and payrolls are prepared on the basis of time and attendance records. Accurate time and attendance records not only save employers from losing money on excess payments but also instil employee confidence in the payroll system.

Studies have revealed that sickness absence, from short-term and longer-term sickness, is one of the major reasons for employee absences. Stress is also emerging as a major factor with its impact higher compared to earlier periods.

Flexible working hours have been found to lead to a happier workforce, and to far better customer service and share valuations. However, there is a fear that implementing flexible working hours is complicated and that it could lead to a flood of impossible demands from employees.

Staff or employee scheduling or rostering relates employees, workplaces and work times. A workplace schedule lists the employees who will work there at different times. The times might be specific hours, dates, weeks or even months.

That absence management is a key component of workforce management does not really need an explicit mention. However, planned and unplanned absence is a universal fact of work and many organizations might take it as something that cannot be avoided.

Following numerous accounting scandals including Enron, WorldCom and Tyco International, the U.S. Federal government passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Sarbanes-Oxley, otherwise known as SOX, regulates financial accountability and information accessibility. It enhances standards for both public companies and public accounting firms.