Lifescripts, 3rd Edition

48Responding to a Direct Report's Request for a Schedule Adjustment

STRATEGY

If your company or organization doesn't have multiple shifts of hourly employees, you should treat any requests for schedule adjustments as requests for flex time. If, on the other hand, your company or organization needs more than eight hours of coverage by hourly workers, requests for schedule adjustments are more problematic. The only reason you can grant such a request is if it matches a business need: say, there's an opening on the other shift. Alternatively, if there's another employee willing to swap shifts you should do everything you can to support the change. Barring those two options all you can do is commiserate about the employee's need. Be prepared for some bitterness and even threats. However, don't respond with anything other than a calm repetition about what you can do. The employee is understandably upset and perhaps under pressure. Give them a chance to vent without repercussions.

TACTICS

• Attitude: Be understanding but firm. If there's a business need or a person willing to swap, then you'll accommodate their need. Otherwise all you can do is be sympathetic.
• Preparation: Keep track of any current or potential openings on shifts other than the one you manage. Have an open ongoing dialogue with other shift managers about employees who are interested in changing their hours.

  

• Timing: ...