Criterion HCM: Optimizing Hourly Workforce Scheduling & Engagement

Criterion HCM: Optimizing Hourly Workforce Scheduling & Engagement

For businesses with largely hourly workforces—retail, hospitality, manufacturing—managing schedules, attendance, and communications at scale can be daunting. Criterion HCM delivers a unified suite of tools that automates shift planning, tracks time accurately, empowers employees with self-service, and keeps leadership in control of labor costs and compliance. Here’s how Criterion transforms hourly workforce management:

1. Intelligent Scheduling & Forecasting

• Demand-Based Forecasts: Leverage sales data, production targets, or foot-traffic analytics to predict labor needs by daypart—then have Criterion auto-populate optimal shift templates.
• Drag-and-Drop Planner: Managers adjust schedules in minutes, viewing certifications, availabilities, and cost impacts side-by-side—eliminating manual spreadsheets.
• Shift-Swap & Bidding: Employees request swaps or bid on open shifts using mobile or desktop portals; bids automatically route to managers for approval, fostering fairness and transparency.

2. Real-Time Time & Attendance

• Flexible Clock-In Options: Support badge, biometric, kiosk, or geofenced mobile clock-in—preventing buddy-punching and ensuring accurate payroll data.
• Exception Alerts: Criterion flags late clock-ins, unauthorized overtime, or missed breaks immediately—allowing managers to intervene before errors compound.
• Seamless Payroll Export: Approved timecards integrate with popular payroll engines (ADP, Ceridian, Paychex) via one-click export, slashing reconciliation time.

3. Compliance & Labor-Law Enforcement

• Rule-Engine Automation: Embed federal, state, and local labor rules—meal periods, rest breaks, maximum hours—into the scheduling engine so any violation is blocked at draft stage.
• Overtime Mitigation: Automated alerts and alternative-shift suggestions help managers keep labor spend within budget and prevent costly overtime.
• Audit Logs & Reports: Generate detailed compliance reports—by location, role, or date range—ready for auditors and regulators.

4. Employee Self-Service & Engagement

• Mobile App Access: Employees view schedules, request time off, pick up extra shifts, and swap with peers—all from their smartphones.
• Push Notifications: Automated reminders for upcoming shifts, schedule changes, or compliance training deadlines keep teams informed and reduce no-shows.
• Engagement Analytics: Track shift-fill rates, time-off approvals, and bid-activity trends to identify engagement gaps and adjust policies.

5. Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Labor Cost Dashboards: Visualize labor-to-revenue ratios, forecast accuracy, and variance trends across locations—pinpointing areas for optimization.
• Productivity Metrics: Compare output per labor hour, overtime usage, and downtime to identify best practices and high-performing teams.
• What-If Simulations: Model scheduling scenarios—holiday staffing, seasonal ramps, new store openings—to plan headcount and budgets with confidence.