Shift Work: Challenges & Solutions for Businessman Who Have Many Outlets

For those of you who are building a culinary business with more than one outlet, you definitely understand how complicated it is to manage a team's schedule. 

Especially if operations continue from morning to night.  Well, here it is shift work so it's a realistic solution. 

However, behind its practicality, shift work also has its own challenges, you know. Starting from unequal rest hours, to coordination between employees which can make people dizzy.

So, this article will help you thoroughly examine shift work, including examples of work schedules for 2 12 hour shifts, common challenges, and tips for setting up a more efficient system. 

Come on, watch it until the end!

Previous Contact: What Is Shift Work?

Simply put, shift work is a scheduling system when employees do not come together at the same time. Usually divided into two or three different working hours, so that operations can continue. 

In the culinary business, especially those that are open from morning to night, or even 24 hours, shift work is a kind of obligation. In many restaurants, shift work can be divided into two, namely morning and evening. 

There are also those who use a three shift system. In essence, the goal is the same, namely to keep operations running without having to keep employees working overtime. 

Do you understand at this point? So, why is this work shift important?

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Why is the Work Shift System Important for Restaurants?

Restaurants have a different work rhythm than other businesses. Long operational hours, fluctuating customer traffic, and the need for fast service mean that conventional work systems are not enough. 

Therefore, work shifts are the answer. For those of you who have many branches, the shift work system makes work flow more controlled. The morning team can focus on opening and preparing materials. 

Meanwhile, the night team usually takes care of peak visitors until closing. If everything is done by one team, you might burn out before the weekend arrives.

Common Challenges in the Shift Work System

Source: Freepik

Even though it is important, in fact there are many challenges that arise from shift work. Not a few culinary businesses feel that the system is less effective. 

So, here are some of the most common challenges:

1. Employees often have their schedules mixed up

This classic problem can arise because communication is weak or the schedule is too complicated. 

Especially if you are still using a whiteboard or Google Sheet without an automatic system.

2. Inconsistent Productivity

This usually occurs when one of the shifts is too busy or vice versa, too relaxed. This unequal productivity can have a direct impact on customer experience.

3. Night shift work is more tiring

Working night shifts has its own challenges. Lack of rest, a quiet atmosphere, and often an equally heavy workload make it easier for the night team to drop out.

4. Complicated leave and holiday arrangements

Well, with Shift systems, managing leave and holiday rotation require a mature strategy. 

If careless, operations could be disrupted. So, what is an example of an efficient 2 shift work schedule?

Example of an efficient 2 shift 12 hour work schedule

One of the most common systems is 2 shift 12 jam. Usually applied to restaurants that are open from morning to night, or even 24 hours. 

Here's an example of a schedule:

• Morning Shift: 08.00 – 20.00
• Night Shift: 20.00 – 08.00

To be more flexible, you can also set a weekly rotation. For example, team A works in the morning for 5 days, then the next week moves to the night shift. 

Through this rotation, all employees have a balanced workload.

Tips for Arranging More Efficient Work Shifts

Sumber: Freepik

Arrange The schedule is not just about filling in columns. You need a strategy so that operations run smoothly, employees are happy, and customers are satisfied. 

So, here are some tips so you don't take the wrong steps:

1. Use a Digital System

Forget about whiteboards or manual spreadsheets. Nowadays, there are plenty of tools that can help you create and monitor work schedules automatically.

Digital systems allow for automated scheduling, minimize human errors, and make team coordination easier.

Some examples of digital systems that can be used to manage employee schedules in the culinary or restaurant business are:

1. Deputy
2. When I Work
3. 7shifts
4. Toggl Track
5. Homebase.

2. Involve Employees When Preparing Schedules

Employees are people too, they have lives outside of work. So, to make them more comfortable, invite a discussion about flexible working hours. Not everyone is suited to working night shifts, for example.

3. Determine the Jobdesc for Each Shift

Each shift must have clear responsibilities. The morning team focuses on preparing ingredients, the evening team handles closing and cleaning. This is important, so that there is no overlap and everything runs efficiently.

4. Insert Overlap Time

Don't immediately pass shifts without transitions. Insert an overlap time of around 30 minutes, so that the teams can update each other and provide small briefings.

Focus on Night Shift Work: What to Look Out for?

Night shift work is usually the hardest. Employees tend to get tired more quickly and easily lose focus. So, here are some things you can pay attention to:

1. Provide supporting facilities

If possible, provide a comfortable resting room. Also provide snacks and warm drinks. 

Of course, this is a form of appreciation to the team who work outside normal hours.

2. Check employee health regularly

Night shifts can affect biological rhythms. So, it is very important to regularly check the health of your team, especially those on duty at night.

3. Pay Attention to Security

If your restaurant is open until early in the morning, make sure the security system is maximum, both for employees and customers.

How Can Work Shifts Affect Customer Satisfaction?

Not only internal matters, the shift work system also affects customers, you know. 

For example, if the team's schedule is chaotic, it could impact the speed of service. 

If the team is too tired, the likelihood that they will be friendly and alert also decreases.

On the other hand, when work shifts run smoothly, every customer will receive consistent service, whether in the morning, afternoon or evening. 

This is very important for building customer loyalty.

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For those of you who manage several branches, it is very important to have an automated system so that it can help you manage everything from one place.  Well, with ESB Order, you can:

• Monitor shift performance in real time.
• Manage schedules and daily operations with more precision.
• Have data for evaluation and decision making.

You can even create your own online restaurant without installing additional applications. All data is stored neatly, so you can make quick and correct decisions.

Conclusion

Work shifts are like the operational heart of the culinary business. Without a good system, shift work can boomerang, causing team performance to drop and customers to be disappointed.

However, if you manage it systematically, shift work can actually be a tool to increase customer satisfaction. 

For those of you who want your culinary business to grow and your operations to be neater, now is the time to use ESB Order. 

This tool can help you manage shifts, transactions and business reports from just one dashboard. 

Suitable for small restaurants to large-scale culinary businesses. Don't wait until there is chaos before taking action. 

If you need additional solutions, you can also explore ESB POSLite and ESB POS who are ready to help manage daily transactions quickly and neatly. 

Let's upgrade your restaurant operations and get a free consultation with the ESB Team now!