Put your employee scheduling policies in writing

A clearly stated employee time schedule policy in the employee handbook keeps everybody on the same page.

I recommend: Business & Legal Reports Inc. offers sample policies on work hours, leaves, absences and other staff scheduling issues.

Know when to bend on employee scheduling

In general, you can set your own staff scheduling policies. However, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act establish some work schedule policies you must follow. In addition, states' labor laws vary.

I recommend: The federal Department of Labor gives compliance assistance on many work schedules topics; refer to their links to state labor departments.

Use employee scheduling software

Sure, you can match employees to jobs, ensure shifts are covered and calculate employee costs to manage payroll expenses — but employee scheduling software can do it faster.

I recommend: Try Web-enabled employee scheduling programs at When To Work.com. Get employee scheduling software at Celayix Software and Atlas Business Solutions Inc.  Find more employee scheduling software vendors at Business.com.

Move the time clock to the phone or employee scheduling software

Having employees clock in and out by phone or online with employee scheduling sofware allows you to keep accurate records that you can see anytime online.

I recommend: Try the Chronotek phone-in system free for a month, or get quotes from Buyer Zone on employee scheduling software software and Web-enabled employee scheduling programs. Find time and attendance software and solutions at Business.com, as well as solutions for flexible work schedules.