When scheduling in Kronos, it’s good to keep some things in mind. Now, this isn't an entry on different tools for scheduling in Workforce Timekeeper, that's already been done. What you will be reading here is just simple tips to help ensure your scheduling experience is a good one. The first and most obvious:
Every time you add or change a shift, save! If you are on an older version of Workforce Timekeeper, you see a gold bar at the top of the screen to note unsaved changes. In more recent versions, the page header turns orange...and that asterisk is thrown in. Either way, they are easy to miss!
When you apply a pattern, or assign an employee to a schedule group, verify you did it correctly. Scan forward a few weeks or months to make sure the schedule looks right in Workforce Timekeeper. A moment or two now will save you from hours of problems later. If you apply shift templates, make sure you are using the proper one. Your organization may have created multiple templates for the same shift, so again, make sure you have selected the appropriate template.
If you can, apply PTO requests to the employee’s schedule. It’s just as easy as applying them to the timecard, and you can do it far in advance of the date they are requesting. Just make sure the employee has enough time in their accrual bucket to pay for the time off. Kronos may not stop you from recording PTO. Be aware of their totals.
Occasionally, you may add a shift from the shift editor. When this is done on an overnight shift, you may accidentally record an 11p to 7a shift as 11p to 7p. You will know there is a mistake by looking at the shift total. You will see a shift total much larger than the normal eight, ten or 12 hour shift.
I know, I said it before, but it bears repeating. Save often. It’s quick and easy.