The WFC Group Blog

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As The WFC Group team gears up to attend KronosWorks next month, we’re covering some important topics of interest around Kronos solutions and how to get the most out of them. Here we’ve identified five issues we’ve observed that prevent businesses from maximizing their benefit, some of which we hope to discuss with managers joining us at the conference.

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Labor laws are getting pretty complex, but with the right tools in hand they can become much easier to navigate. One growing challenge for employers in some states is meeting requirements around timekeeping and break length minimums. Documentation and validation of compliance may seem like a hassle at first, but solutions such as the Kronos Attestation Toolkit can ease the process while benefitting employers and employees alike.

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If there's one thing airports can't get enough of, it's efficiency — moving people from gate to gate and flights in and out safely, with comfort and at a reasonable cost. At the heart of achieving this are many hardworking people nationwide (1.2 million of them across 485 commercial airports) — and someone has the responsibility to keep them all taken care of. Thankfully, workforce management solutions today are well-suited to the large scale needs of these important aviation hubs and the people that serve them.

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It's no secret that manufacturers have already been finding it difficult to fill the skills gap with new generations entering the workforce. But even with the shortage of talent skilled in manufacturing crafts now, the gap is only going to get bigger without some changes across the industry. As the skilled workforce begins to age out, the pull for entry into the field needs to get more innovative. While there's no immediate fix, manufacturers are already finding ways to improve prospects at the present while laying the foundation for future workforce strength, and this recent study by Kronos for The Manufacturer has some great highlights.

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It seems like every week the news is buzzing with talks of a possible new merger — from healthcare systems to tech companies and more. Take the food industry for example, which has seen nearly a 7% increase in M&A activity in the first 2 quarters of this year alone. For these endeavors to succeed, the real challenge is not in reaching agreement or gaining the proper approvals. The true test begins the moment a merger or acquisition is confirmed, as both entities begin integrating key assets and infrastructure, like workforce management systems.

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It's not uncommon for there to be tension between HQ and storefronts in retail when it comes to IT, HCM systems and mandatory processes. For regional managers, some degree of autonomy is seen as a way to succeed beyond expectations, while business leaders trust in tried and true solutions, viewing experimentation as a risk. These days, both are likely to agree that utilizing a strong workforce management system helps avoid common productivity pitfalls, but choosing between standard and local capabilities can be a battle.

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Change is coming. Are you ready for it? A new study by Grand View Research projects workforce management trends through the year 2025, and the outlook is exciting. Overall, adoption of solution suites will continue to grow, but one key factor is expected to drive growth among new and existing system users alike. Just like responsive web design has met the needs of mobile-first visitors, the future of workforce solutions will be driven by mobile efficiency and mobility expectations of the incoming workforce.

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When it comes to food service and hospitality, high turnover rates may seem like just another standard feature of the industry. But some employers are approaching the matter a little differently, and they're setting a great case for how improved employee engagement can challenge the normal perception. Here are a couple key lessons learned from employers recognized for outstanding business performance and overall engagement that can extend beyond fast food.

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No store is an island in the world of retail. Chain operators see value in delivering a consistent experience no matter which location a shopper may choose to visit, and a lot of that comes down to overseeing employees and their productivity in completing important tasks. When each storefront runs as tight a ship as the rest, the whole ship floats — but how can the captains in HQ make sure no one gets lost at sea?

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When it comes to job satisfaction, nursing maintains an impressive rate of professionals pleased with their career choice (93% according to the recent “Employee Engagement in Nursing” survey conducted by Kronos Incorporated). It's easy to understand why healthcare instills a sense of value and purpose in one's work — helping people stay healthy is rewarding. Unfortunately, the profession also comes with a quiet occupational hazard that threatens performance and well-being, and it will continue to put hospitals and our healthcare providers at risk if unaddressed.