Can tech alleviate staffing shortages?
Navigating leave for staff is a minefield that managers and supervisors have been trying to navigate for quite some time. Not only do they need to coordinate leave requests between employees, but they must also factor in business flow and other operational concerns due to staff shortages.
Technology plays a significant role in most aspects of business these days. So why not use it to handle leave requests efficiently and streamline the process? That is the beauty of leave management technology.
Leave Management Technology
A leave management system or leave of absence software uses automated technology to manage time off requests. Some organizations rely on manual processes to manage leave requests, like spreadsheets. But these methods often have little security and no continuity. Most often the only person who understands the nuances of everyone’s time off is the person managing the requests. This can create organizational disruptions when not everyone has insight into staffing shortages.
Modern leave management solutions use cloud-based technology to automate leave requests. There are few, if any, paper records or confusing spreadsheets to manage. Instead, the system receives leave requests from employees and combines them with other requests and operational considerations such as peak seasons. Employees can receive approvals or denials within the system. Managers can easily track when they need to shore up staffing due to scheduled time off. It’s a win-win.
Benefits of Leave Management Technology
One of the most significant benefits is having everything together in one system. There is no longer a need to riffle through notes or emails trying to input requests into a spreadsheet or calendar. Employees can access the system from just about anywhere to request leave or to look for approvals. And employers can easily download reports for a comprehensive look at leave requests and staffing.
With leave management technology, there is no reason to have multiple calendars that you need to refer to when creating a work schedule. Everything is at the fingertips of the person responsible for staffing. Shortages will be apparent when they occur and easier to fill when necessary.
When deciding whether a leave technology solution is right for your organization, consider how it could give you greater insight into upcoming shortages. Greater insight means you’ll likely have more time to prepare for those shortages so that you and your employees aren’t left scrambling. Can tech alleviate staffing shortages? That’s still up for debate. But it can most certainly help your organization work more efficiently, and who doesn’t want that?
This blog is up to date as of May 2023 and has not been updated for changes in the law, administration or current events.
