Hello to Everyone,
I am working in a manufacturing company as an HR & Admin Executive. I am facing daily manpower shortage for machine operators in the night shift only. So I need a solution to solve this shortage. Please guide me on how to handle it.
From India, New Delhi
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6I am working in a manufacturing company as an HR & Admin Executive. I am facing daily manpower shortage for machine operators in the night shift only. So I need a solution to solve this shortage. Please guide me on how to handle it.
From India, New Delhi
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Dear Vijay T,
You have not mentioned the nature of your production, the number of machines, the number of operators working in the nighttime, noise produced by the machines, etc. Have you conducted any study on the absence of the workers? How does it impact production? Are the deliveries delayed due to the absence?
One quick solution is to pay the night-shift allowance. However, once started, withdrawing it will be difficult.
The second solution is to rearrange the production schedule in such a way as to make the night shift a little less strenuous.
The third solution is on the number of hours of work in the night shift. When does your night shift start and end? For how many hours do workers work in the night shift? If the number of hours is comparable to the day shift, then explore the possibility of reducing the hours.
The fourth solution is to identify the scope of automation. Will automation reduce the dependence on the workers during the night shift? If the machines are noisy, can the noise be reduced?
The last solution is to understand what happens during the night shift. Have you spent a night on the shop floor? If not, then let someone else take stock of the situation during the night. Currently, you could be depending on feedback from the Production or Operations Managers/Supervisors. However, when a third party monitors the situation, suggestions for improvement may arise.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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You have not mentioned the nature of your production, the number of machines, the number of operators working in the nighttime, noise produced by the machines, etc. Have you conducted any study on the absence of the workers? How does it impact production? Are the deliveries delayed due to the absence?
One quick solution is to pay the night-shift allowance. However, once started, withdrawing it will be difficult.
The second solution is to rearrange the production schedule in such a way as to make the night shift a little less strenuous.
The third solution is on the number of hours of work in the night shift. When does your night shift start and end? For how many hours do workers work in the night shift? If the number of hours is comparable to the day shift, then explore the possibility of reducing the hours.
The fourth solution is to identify the scope of automation. Will automation reduce the dependence on the workers during the night shift? If the machines are noisy, can the noise be reduced?
The last solution is to understand what happens during the night shift. Have you spent a night on the shop floor? If not, then let someone else take stock of the situation during the night. Currently, you could be depending on feedback from the Production or Operations Managers/Supervisors. However, when a third party monitors the situation, suggestions for improvement may arise.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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Night shift has its own problems.
Interference with natural sleep rhythms increases the risk of workplace injury and changes your metabolism, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. To say the least, workers who are used to night shifts must be feeling some of these ill effects.
Absenteeism needs to be studied - how often, the percentage of workers being absent, their health standards, etc.
A learned member above has given suggestions of automation, fewer hours, etc., which are really worth considering. Generally, workers will support these measures as they are beneficial to them.
Consult with supervisors and senior management to see whether the monotony of night shifts can be alleviated with longer breaks and some snack or tea arrangements. Arrange to have the work area brightly lit up. Light music will be helpful.
Have proper scheduling arrangements for workers transitioning from morning shifts to night shifts. Gaps can be scheduled for workers. Sometimes night shifts are unavoidable, so when they become necessary, plan and provide better facilities for night shifts.
From India, Pune
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Interference with natural sleep rhythms increases the risk of workplace injury and changes your metabolism, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. To say the least, workers who are used to night shifts must be feeling some of these ill effects.
Absenteeism needs to be studied - how often, the percentage of workers being absent, their health standards, etc.
A learned member above has given suggestions of automation, fewer hours, etc., which are really worth considering. Generally, workers will support these measures as they are beneficial to them.
Consult with supervisors and senior management to see whether the monotony of night shifts can be alleviated with longer breaks and some snack or tea arrangements. Arrange to have the work area brightly lit up. Light music will be helpful.
Have proper scheduling arrangements for workers transitioning from morning shifts to night shifts. Gaps can be scheduled for workers. Sometimes night shifts are unavoidable, so when they become necessary, plan and provide better facilities for night shifts.
From India, Pune
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Dear Vijay T, You can introduce Attendance Incentives apart from their Wages. You can also Pay Special Travel allowance who are working in night shifts.
From India, Ahmedabad
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From India, Ahmedabad
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If the absent employees are continuously working at night, then make a policy that every employee or worker has to work alternate weeks at night. This will help them maintain their health and mental well-being too.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Call the machine operators to find out the reason for their absence on the night shift. Regularly working the night shift might be a cause of absenteeism. The shortage of manpower can contribute to absenteeism due to leave and weekly holidays. The rotation in shifts after the weekly off-day is not in proper order. Consider implementing a night allowance incentive scheme for night shift duty. If old, sick, or alcoholic workmen are causing absenteeism, you may replace them with new workers.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Dear Vijay,
I can give some suggestions which are actually implemented by some companies.
1. Schedule the shift duty as follows:
After the weekly off, the first two days are night shifts, i.e., 12 MN to 8 AM.
The next two days are day shifts, i.e., 8 AM to 4 PM.
The last two days are evening shifts, i.e., 4 PM to 12 MN.
Then, there is the weekly off again.
Here, employees only have to work two days a week in the night shift.
2. Provide a good amount of night shift allowance.
3. Provide slightly more substitute workers for night shifts.
C K Krishnan
From India, Ernakulam
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I can give some suggestions which are actually implemented by some companies.
1. Schedule the shift duty as follows:
After the weekly off, the first two days are night shifts, i.e., 12 MN to 8 AM.
The next two days are day shifts, i.e., 8 AM to 4 PM.
The last two days are evening shifts, i.e., 4 PM to 12 MN.
Then, there is the weekly off again.
Here, employees only have to work two days a week in the night shift.
2. Provide a good amount of night shift allowance.
3. Provide slightly more substitute workers for night shifts.
C K Krishnan
From India, Ernakulam
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You can do the following things:
1. One meal at night to be free apart from lunch and dinner (Rajma-Rice, Chhole-Rice).
2. Two teas along with 1 packet of biscuit or namkeen (5 Rs).
3. Attendance incentive.
4. If possible, arrange transport facility.
5. Make a duty roster so that each person has to work in the night shift.
From India, Gorakhpur
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1. One meal at night to be free apart from lunch and dinner (Rajma-Rice, Chhole-Rice).
2. Two teas along with 1 packet of biscuit or namkeen (5 Rs).
3. Attendance incentive.
4. If possible, arrange transport facility.
5. Make a duty roster so that each person has to work in the night shift.
From India, Gorakhpur
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We have work on the below points to reduce the absenteeism in the night shift:
1. Night Shift Allowance
2. Revised Production Target only for Night Shift
3. Higher Incentive for Night shift higher production than other shifts.
4. Awarded best operator for the night shift
5. Night Shift menu has been decided on the suggestion of employees.
6. If any employee gets a high number of best awards, then he will get a salary rise.
7. Immediate leave/C-Off sanction on his application.
8. Make a pool for additional manpower for replacement.
9. Second shift employees should not leave the place unless the night shift reliever resumes duty.
10. Provide motivational awards to their children also.
These are steps taken. Support from Management is required.
Regards,
Sherkhan B Pathan
From India, Mumbai
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1. Night Shift Allowance
2. Revised Production Target only for Night Shift
3. Higher Incentive for Night shift higher production than other shifts.
4. Awarded best operator for the night shift
5. Night Shift menu has been decided on the suggestion of employees.
6. If any employee gets a high number of best awards, then he will get a salary rise.
7. Immediate leave/C-Off sanction on his application.
8. Make a pool for additional manpower for replacement.
9. Second shift employees should not leave the place unless the night shift reliever resumes duty.
10. Provide motivational awards to their children also.
These are steps taken. Support from Management is required.
Regards,
Sherkhan B Pathan
From India, Mumbai
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