Page 10 - On The Move - Volume 16, Issue 4

Alternative Schedules for Fixed Ops: Is It for You?
Julian Armijo
M5 Management Services, Inc.
Alternative Schedules for Fixed Ops: By: Julian Armijo
Consultant/Coach
M5 Management Services, Inc.
IS IT FOR YOU? julianarmijo@m5ms.com
505-991-3296

The Grind, the rat race, the full-time work week. Many of us have learned that in the world of dealership fixed operations this has a much different meaning than
in the office environment. With many dealerships opting for being open for more hours and/or more days in the name of customer satisfaction, convenience, and
sometimes for capacity reasons, I find employees working more than would seem reasonable. Many of the businesses with which I visit have employees working
6-day work weeks at least every other week and, for many employees, every week. And even though many studies conducted have concluded time and time again
that working beyond 30-40 hours is usually counterproductive and not as efficient, we find ourselves shorthanded and in need of more people willing to cover
the evening hours and Saturday’s business so we force schedules on our employees to meet the business demands. And still, after all of the forcing our staff to
work the longer shifts and/or more days, most dealerships I visit still have coverage issues, especially on what should be the busiest day of the week, Saturday.

So, what’s the solution? “Wait, let me get my magic wand! J.K.”

Of course, the solution is not the same for everyone and there’s no such thing as technicians and advisors seems nearly impossible,
that evasive magic wand to take care of the issue either. However, I have found it having an attractive and more time-off friendly
very effective in many cases to implement alternative scheduling with many of schedule might be the difference to set you apart
my clients to help alleviate the issues. Though there are many different alternative from your competition.
schedules out there and no one solution will fit every environment, I find that the
most accepted, implemented, effective, and desired in most situations has been Now we all know this concept is not anything new and has a history dating back
to change to more hours in fewer days with 4-day work weeks being the happy into the 1970s in many environments, a little less in dealerships than other
medium. industries. But in light of recent findings and studies indicating that 4-day work
weeks can be very beneficial, 4-day schedules have regained popularity and are
With most employees citing work-life balance as one of the most important criteria an effective method of addressing several areas of concern. Here are the pros and
for a career, as well as the need to stay competitive in a labor market where finding cons to a 4-day schedule from my perspective:

PROS CONS

Better productivity the things most employees find hard to attain Personal schedules
Productivity during work hours and one of the most desirable benefits to a Having a four-day running week could put a strain
tends to increase to compensate job seeking prospect. Also, with employees on employees who have children. For instance,
for the lost day. It may also raise commuting at least 30 minutes each way on organizing childcare for the longer working hours of
productivity because of the wonderful effect that the average, and some as much as 2 hours, one a 10-hour day can in some cases be difficult, as could
extra time without work could have on personnel less workday means less time commuting which leaving home very early, especially if employees have
morale. It means more time with the family and in turn increases satisfaction and reduces drive younger children.
a better work-life balance, which in turn can time stress.
improve employees’ attitudes towards their Difficult Employees
work because they’re much less burned out. Team building Some of the more difficult employees in the store
This usually results in less worker absenteeism, The emphasis on efficiency tends to bring teams may not be willing to change their “Cushy” schedule
which will benefit productivity as well. closer together, as there’s less time to waste on which they have been working for many years. Others
disputes, and the entire team’s goals are more may just have a hard time with change and adjusting
More efficient usage of time focused. to the schedule may feel overwhelming.
Employees spend less time on inefficient tasks
like mingling and are less likely to “run out the Full schedule coverage Perception
clock” with time-wasters like social media or Most 4-day schedules allow for the same Some employees may perceive working fewer days
excessive breaks. number of work hours in a week but tend to as less opportunity and will require more coaching
make coverage easier through the week. through the process.
Employee satisfaction
With less stress and a better work-life balance, Environmental benefits
happy workers reportedly engage better A four-day work week critically reduces each
with their work, along with having increased individual employee’s carbon footprint by In general, the good far outweighs the bad and the
motivation. A. good work-life balance is one of removing commute pollution. challenges of the implementation are soon forgotten
as the employees enjoy additional time off, while the
department’s morale is improved.
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