How to Manage Employee Breaks for Your Service Business
Human resource management is very important in running a successful field service business. The reason is simple. In HR you deal with real humans who form part of your workforce. Unlike machines, they breathe and have emotions, and it’s their output that decides the success of your business. Understanding how to approach employee breaks can help you keep your employees happy and productive.
We’ve pulled together 4 tips on how to manage breaks for your employees in a service business.
Know the Required Break Time for Your Employees
Have a clear understanding and knowledge of your state or local laws about compulsory break periods. This will make sure you’re compliant with the law and put you in a position to create the best possible breaks plan.
Address the Needs of Your Employees
Ensure you’re accommodating employees with special needs. This may mean space or privacy during breaks. Make sure you document these special initiatives or facilities and ensure all of your employees know about them.
Allowing conversations that help accommodate your team will make sure your employee’s needs are met. This creates trust between you and your employees.
Plan Breaks Strategically for Time Efficiency
It’s in the best interest of your business that you schedule breaks and implement them accordingly. You can stagger the break timings by grouping the part of your workforce into a defined time bracket so that your production doesn’t stop at any time.
A part of your workforce may be at work while others are taking a break. Always create a win-win situation with proper team management and job scheduling.
Use Employee Breaks to Support Peak Productivity
Analyze your business’s “peak productivity” and plan your breaks immediately after them. It is usual for employees to take a minimum of half an hour to recharge and sustain the quality of your service.
Allow input from the employees on their preferences about their work breaks. Incorporate their preferences into your policies, which will allow for your employees to feel heard. As a result, your team culture will be stronger, helping with employee retention.
Try to find the best overlap between your business goals and employee happiness. This is a sure recipe for higher employee retention rates.
Bottomline
Workplace breaks are a great tool to improve the productivity potential of your employees. Never underestimate the power of a well-planned break for your workers in the field. Plan breaks with diligence and implement with thoughtfulness.