Staffing
Definition
The hiring and scheduling of employees
What is it?
Effective staffing includes hiring the right people and creating schedules that both fair and reflective of the needs of the store.
Why is it important?
Given the variability of customer traffic and the high turnover rate in retail, proper staffing is essential. Proper scheduling of employees ensures that the store is not over-staffed leading to boredom and high payroll costs and not under-staffed causing customer dissatisfaction. It is also critical that the right people are hired to contribute to the overall culture and success of the store.
Suggestions for Improvement
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Create a Positive Work Environment
It can be challenging to find enough staff or the right staff in the ever-changing world of retail. If you want to attract the best, you need to support your current employees so that they will share their positive experiences as an employee with you with others. Word of mouth is still an excellent recruiting tool.
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Hire Enough Full-Time Staff
Having enough staff who will always be available to you helps ensure you are never short-staffed. Part-time employees can have more limited schedules and, if they have other full-time jobs, are more likely to prioritize that over their hours with you.
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Track Your Sales and Number of Employees
Sometimes, over-staffing will happen. Be sure you note what shifts and what days of the week these instances happen. Using sales information can help guide future weeks’ schedules.
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