Scheduling is major stressor for frontline workers in hospitality industry

49% of work stress comes from scheduling issues

Half (49%) of first-line employees' stress causes in the hospitality industry come from scheduling issues. Employees cite lack of flexibility, excessive working hours and understaffing as the main frustrations. This is according to research* by Quinyx, provider of AI-driven workforce management software. At the same time, companies that create rosters using AI see an increase in employee satisfaction of 13%.

The same employees were also asked about how their commitment and engagement could be increased. When it comes to rosters, there is a strong need for flexibility (19%), fewer gaps (12%) and a better work-life balance (6%).

"HR traditionally still often focuses on retention, engagement and sustainable employability. Important themes, but the foundation is forgotten in the process: the roster," says Morris Beek, AI expert at Quinyx. "Those who make the schedule in collaboration with AI prevent stress, increase employee satisfaction and reduce staff costs."

From structural stress to structural solutions

Scheduling is a source of daily stress in many industries. Irregular working hours, staff shortages and complex regulations make scheduling the right people a complex task. Yet more and more organisations are finding solutions by using smart technology.

One logistics company, for example, reduced rostering time from two full-time planners to just two hours a week. In the hospitality and retail sector, better scheduling software reduced 20% over- and understaffing, overtime and wage costs. In organisations with strict labour regulations, violations, such as exceeding rest periods, even disappeared completely in some cases.

Scheduling as a strategic HR issue

The results are a signal to HR professionals to put rostering higher on the agenda. It is not an operational sideshow, but a strategic tool that contributes to retention, engagement and sustainable employability.

"Rostering is not an administrative task, it is a means of providing peace of mind, autonomy and confidence to the people who make a difference in the workplace every day." said Beek.