Warehouses are a critical cog in the wheel of commerce. However, keeping them operating is a huge challenge. Even as warehouses adopt greater automation, lacking employees can negatively impact efficiency.
Because many warehouses operate 24/7, it is difficult to cover all available shifts. Likewise, many warehouse jobs are tedious and physically taxing, making them less attractive to employees.
However, using gig workers could help improve the efficiency of warehouses across the country. For example, part-time workers can fill in for people who call off, meet seasonal increases in demand, eliminate overtime, and reduce the number of workers’ compensation claims.
GigWorkers have become a fixture in most industries, and warehousing is no exception. Some warehouses have dipped a toe in, using only highly experienced part-time workers during peak seasons.
However, other warehouses supplement their workforce with GigWorkers year-round. Having a pool of qualified part-time workers means these facilities can be more resilient when unexpected changes occur.
Workers enjoy being able to pick up gigs on the side. They can make extra cash when needed, get exposure to different operations, and learn new skills. Some workers are full-time warehouse GigWorkers who rely on part-time work to support themselves and their families while going to school, raising a family, or working on a personal project.
Recruiting, hiring, and onboarding workers requires substantial time and effort. In addition, warehousing is a high-turnover industry, so facilities do not always recoup the money and time they spend bringing in new workers.
Using a source of prescreened temporary workers could address some of those issues. For example, HapiGig Flex is a platform that allows workers and warehouses to staff part-time shifts.
The platform vets the workers, and the employee posts their availability on the site. A warehouse manager can screen the profiles and reach out to workers who seem to be a good fit.
Long hours and lots of overtime can be physically and mentally draining. Most full-time warehouse workers use up their paid time off every year, often calling out sick when they need a day off. However, ShiftSwap—a tool developed by HapiGig—could be the solution to this problem.
By using the platform, HapiWorkers can trade shifts as they please. Allowing workers to have some control over their shifts could improve morale and reduce call-offs.
If a worker does not want to work on a particular day but is scheduled to come in, they could post their shift on ShiftSwap. Then, another worker who wants the extra money could sign up to work the shift with management’s approval. In addition, managers can use ShiftSwap to post overtime shifts, reducing the need for forced overtime.
HapiGig Flex and ShiftSwap allow warehouse managers to connect with a pool of workers eager to pick up extra shifts. These platforms also allow employees who need a break to take one without using their paid time off or inconveniencing the operation by calling out sick.
You owe it to yourself, your company, and your workers to investigate ways of easing the perpetual scheduling challenges in warehousing. Call or text today for an application to learn more.