--- layout: default_v3 language: default permalink: staffing/short-staffed.html i18n_link: 795 updated: 2023-01-11 #--- article key-values ---# collection: default_topiccluster t_keyword: Short Staffed tags: short staffed, short staffing type: supporting page_id: 795 hreflang_id: 795 parent_id: 757 date_published: 2020-06-10 date_modified: 2023-01-11 #--- javascript schema ---# javascript_schema: - script: jquery_3_2_0_min - script: bootstrap_min - script: article_infinite_scroll - script: article_mix_infinitescroll - script: article_mix - script: article_mix_faq - script: article_mix_toc #--- section schema ---# section_schema: - section: nav-main_menu - section: article_body_v2 - section: footer - section: schedule_demo_cta #--- page key-values ---# meta_tags: t_meta_title: 3 Common Mistakes Associated with Being Short Staffed & How to Recover t_meta_description: If you find your company short-staffed on a regular basis, you may be making one of these common staffing mistakes. Here's what you can do to recover. t_meta_abstract: If you find your company short-staffed on a regular basis, you may be making one of these common staffing mistakes. Here's what you can do to recover. i_meta_image: article_body: json-ld_article: v_date_published: 2020-06-10 v_date_modified: 2023-01-11 author: p_author_id: 203 t_author: Priyanka Bhadani p_author_url: priyanka-bhadani.html i_author: 203.png t_author_description: Michelle is a California girl who loves to explore interesting and new things to do. She's been to Europe, been to every theme park in Southern California and is always looking for the next thrill. She uses her experiences to craft her writing into interesting topics. p_author_facebook: //www.facebook.com/HubWorksApp p_author_twitter: https://twitter.com/HubworksApp p_author_linkedin: p_author_instagram: feature_snippet: p_type: text t_title: t_description: content: heading: t_title: 3 Common Mistakes Associated with Being Short Staffed & How to Recover t_description: If you find your company short-staffed on a regular basis, you may be making one of these common staffing mistakes. Here's what you can do to recover. image: i_image: 3-common-mistakes-associated-with-being-short-staffed-how-to-recover-1591831790-7714.png t_image_description: under staffed business v_image_attribution: Unsplash v_image_license: Unsplash License v_video: paragraphs: - t_headline: t_text: Every manager and business owner wants their business to run smoothly and proper staffing is crucial to achieving that goal. Of course, being short-staffed can lead to problems in day-to-day operations, but there's also a bigger picture to consider.

As the job market becomes more and more competitive, businesses need to do everything they can to keep their skilled, talented, and reliable employees happy to avoid being short-handed. Hiring strategically will keep business running smoothly, while outdated and inefficient practices will have the opposite effect.

If you find your business short-staffed on a regular basis, you may be making one of these common staffing mistakes. Don't fret, there are solutions, should you find yourself guilty of one (or more) of these mistakes. p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: t_description: v_attribution: v_license: callout_text: - t_headline: 1. Not Addressing Being Understaffed t_text: On any given day, you can fall understaffed due to an employee calling out sick, beginning maternity leave early, or having a crucial staff member quit unexpectedly. It's also common to become understaffed during busier times of the year, like holidays, or when starting a new project, like expanding locations.

If these understaffing issues go unaddressed, it can dramatically affect your business and ultimately your staff. Essential daily tasks may continue to go undone, leaving your employees to become overwhelmed and stressed with the demoralizing feeling of never being able to catch up. While it can be difficult to find a qualified employee to fill a position on short notice, there are some solutions.

The first step is to avoid being put in such an unexpected predicament. Yes, this may sound obvious and maybe easier said than done, but prevention is quite plausible with the right tools.
Using scheduling software to track upcoming PTO and log updated employee availability ensures shifts are covered in advance, as well as last-minute, should an employee call out unexpectedly.

Most software also notes employees who have continually called out of shifts or notorious for taking convenient sick days. Once this becomes chronic, management has the opportunity to confront said employees and potentially address any lingering issues that may be leading to these spontaneous absences (like being overworked). The hope is that a resolution will be found during this discussion.

Working with a staffing agency can also be helpful when needing to find a qualified employee fast. The agency will pre-screen potential candidates and verify qualifications in advance. The agency can also help fill a vacant position on a moment's notice, whether it be temporary or permanent. p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: t_description: v_attribution: v_license: callout_text: - t_headline: 2. Ignoring Root Causes of High Turnover t_text: High turnover is often associated with unhappy employees, but the issue is usually more complex than that. Many factors can lead to dissatisfaction in the workplace, including low wages and lack of benefits.

If a company's pay rate is on the lower end of the spectrum, there is a greater chance that employees stay with an organization short-term for personal growth and to utilize the experience as a stepping stone. Once achieved, they move on to the next venture.

In relation, when management fails to acknowledge a job well done, employees who feel underappreciated will move on to a company where they feel more valued. The same goes for managers who share a similar sentiment.

If the issue is related to low compensation, do some research to determine what the industry standard is and try to meet that as best as possible.

If you can't afford to pay what competitors are paying, look for other perk alternatives, like health benefits, flexible work schedules, or remodeling the workplace and establishing a positive corporate culture. p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: 2-ignoring-root-causes-of-high-turnover-1591831790-1436.png t_description: Unsplash v_attribution: Unsplash v_license: Unsplash License callout_text: - t_headline: 3. Failing to Hire the Right Candidates from the Start t_text: If your in-house recruiter or management team doesn't have enough time to screen potential employees thoroughly, you will certainly notice a trend in high turnover and short-term retention.
Hiring employees who don't integrate well with your company's culture is a common issue that's easy to overlook. New hires should be able to integrate seamlessly with your current employees. Teamwork is essential to a company's success. When employees don't work well together, it affects performance and productivity, and also causes tension that often contributes to high turnover rates.

Keep in mind that quality employees also appreciate an efficient hiring process. If your company is slow to make decisions or disorganized during interviews, qualified prospects will move on. A timely and efficient hiring process sets the tone for an illustrious work ethic in future employees.

In order to ensure credibility, do not skip following up with previous employers, as this step is an essential part of the hiring process. Candidates may be able to talk-the-talk and say all the right things in an interview, but the question is- Can they walk-the-walk?

Former employers are limited as to what can be disclosed during a reference screening, however, what is permissible is the amount of time that candidate worked for the previous organization and if that candidate is re-hirable.

Perhaps this candidate did not get along well with other team members, was unreliable in abiding by the schedule, or showed a lack of motivation in the workplace. Although these details cannot be shared, any such factors could deem someone un-hirable to a former employer.

Wrapping Up
A well-organized and timely hiring process is crucial for keeping a company running smoothly and retaining skilled employees. Hiring the right candidates, reducing employee turnover, and eliminating understaffing are some proactive steps any company can take to recover from staffing issues. p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: 3-failing-to-hire-the-right-candidates-from-the-start-1591831790-4896.png t_description: Unsplash v_attribution: Unsplash v_license: Unsplash License callout_text: event_body: json-ld_event: t_name: Employee Scheduling for Restaurant Managers t_description: Attendees will learn how create excellent schedules. The class teaches managers how to estimate the number of employees they need to staff their locations; how to accurately forecast their customer demand; how to quickly and accuaratly write and communicate schedules to employees; and how to evaluate the accuracy and optimization of their schedules to make adjustments. v_start_date: 2022-08-08 i_image: p_location_name: Altametrics Online Webinar Course p_address: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics v_price: 10.00 t_offer_description: Priority Registration v_registration_url: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics ---