17 Cost-Effective Solutions in Workforce Planning

Cost-cutting is part and parcel of life at the workplace. Almost every company has faced it for reasons including industry dynamics, economic recession, etc. Recent worries about another recession put this topic back on the daily agenda.

The risks of poorly planned cost-cutting

Companies often make cost-cutting decisions across the board, which has a detrimental impact. This is needless and unwise with the evolution of workforce planning. It offers a way to cut costs precisely, where outcomes are more specific, and the company can preserve its ability to remain effective. One can use workforce planning and other ways to manage expenses in a way that does away with the need for massive cost-cutting.

Proper workforce planning can ensure critical functions aren’t threatened by returning to the company’s priorities and aligning cuts with them. This article lists several cost-effective solutions to optimize workplace processes.

1. Protect top talent

Workforce planning data is typically available to decision-makers but needs to be more widely used. Organizations must use it to protect their best employees. If an area targeted for cuts employs top talent, managers should look for another area to deploy that talent.

2. Gauge productivity levels

Workforce planners should be able to gauge productivity in the organization and find ways to improve it. If an area significantly changes employee productivity levels, the company can cut less productive staff and increase the rest consistently. A time card calculator is the easiest way to track workplace productivity.

3. System Integration

Companies are constantly implementing new systems, which can occasionally do more harm than good. Many in-house systems, for instance, still require a lot of manual work, which is both expensive and time-consuming. It’s possible to cut costs using automatic systems, software, and cost-effective apps. Still, the respective solution’s capacities must span all areas of company activity, including scheduling, time and attendance, and payroll.

The next step is to achieve integration across the organization. Employees need proper resources, training, and independence to work with systems and applications effectively. Providing them with those has the additional benefit of independent decision-making. It also reduces the need for micromanagement and constant supervision, thus cutting management costs.

4. Changes to products and services

Organizations must identify areas to scale back, be it producing fewer goods or cutting down on operations. The first category can include slowing down production processes or making less of a particular product. Workforce planners can then gauge the impact on employment that comes from that change. The organization can cut back internal or external service levels in the latter category. This may mean becoming less responsive to internal requests. Then, the individuals responsible can identify the associated impact on employment.

5. Consider outsourcing

Companies might consider outsourcing non-core tasks or functions outside of operations. These will often include IT support, payroll processing, or administrative tasks. Outsourcing those could reduce management costs by letting managers focus on core areas. It’s a delicate balancing act to avoid hiking outsourcing costs.  

6. Prioritize scheduling

Technology can help with scheduling by automatically analyzing employee data. An in-depth understanding of this particular data can enable automated scheduling based on predictions of customer demand and consumption behaviors. For example, one could schedule more resources based on the peak times of a seasonal business.

7. Analyzing current labor expenses

Begin by closely examining your existing labor costs as the primary focus. If you haven't been factoring labor expenses into your budgeting and financial strategies, gathering pertinent data to conduct a comprehensive analysis is essential. Key scrutinizing elements include wage rates, benefits, overtime expenditures, and other labor-related outlays. These details will pinpoint areas ripe for enhancement and potential cost-saving measures.

8. Introduce time-tracking and attendance systems.

If you can't measure it, you can't improve it. To control labor costs effectively, you need to know how employees spend their time and how many hours they work. That's why implementing reliable time and attendance systems is essential.

These systems help prevent time theft and buddy punching, which cost businesses billions annually. Using them can accurately track employee hours and reduce financial losses.

There are simple solutions available to ensure accurate timekeeping. These tools streamline tracking, reduce costs, and automate payroll calculations by integrating with existing systems.

9. Implement data-based decisions

Relying solely on intuition has its limitations. It is crucial to utilize complex data when developing an effective strategy. Analyze both historical and current workforce data to make informed decisions. You can identify patterns and anticipate future needs by leveraging information such as employee turnover rates and demographics. Additionally, data on resource utilization can highlight sought-after skills and positions. Incorporating external data, such as industry trends and competitor benchmarks, further enhances the accuracy of your forecasts.

10. Apply Automation and technological innovations.

Utilizing automation and technology solutions streamlines processes within your organization. These tools reduce manual efforts in calculating work hours, freeing up time for HR to focus on critical tasks. Introducing automation through project management software, automated workflows, and AI systems decreases time spent on labor-intensive tasks, driving cost savings. This approach is especially beneficial in reducing labor costs in manufacturing.

11. Staff training and skill advancement

Many businesses seeking to cut labor expenses often neglect the significance of investing in employee training and skill enhancement. A proficient workforce not only boosts productivity but also diminishes the need for rework, thus saving production costs and labor expenses. Enhancing employee competencies can enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and eliminate reliance on external resources. Implementing training and development initiatives can swiftly bring workers up to par. A well-trained workforce consistently employs best practices, positively impacting production and revenue.

12. Keeping current staff informed

Promote transparency and encourage employee engagement throughout your workforce planning process. Doing so can alleviate unnecessary stress and prevent rumors from undermining morale. It also supports your strategic goals by communicating available progression paths and showcasing your investment in employee development. Research suggests that employees are more engaged in companies with a clear vision for the future.

13. Lucrative incentive packages

Sometimes, employers try to attract top talent by offering high salaries. However, this approach often needs to work out better in the long-term. Many employees are more than just motivated by money and want chances to grow personally and professionally. That's why it's essential to have robust performance management systems and offer incentives. This keeps employees happy both financially and intellectually. Recognizing and rewarding high achievers is known to boost productivity and engagement. By doing these things, you can encourage employees to do their best, which helps reduce labor costs.

14. Following labor laws

When implementing various cost-effective solutions, it's essential to follow labor laws. Every business must comply with federal, state, and local labor regulations. Understanding the legal implications of your cost-cutting strategies is crucial. You could face hefty fines if you break the rules while trying to save money on labor. Remember to consider minimum wage laws, overtime rules, and employee rights to avoid legal trouble.

15. Reduce employee turnover and absenteeism.

Suppose you focus solely on immediate labor costs like job advertising and new hire onboarding. In that case, you might miss the financial impact of issues within your current workforce, such as employee turnover or excessive absenteeism.

The most apparent cost of turnover or absenteeism is the need to hire additional staff to fill the gaps in the workforce. This could result in increased overtime or a continuous need for replacements. Additionally, indirect costs are more complicated to quantify, such as productivity losses when experienced employees leave or when a shift operates with fewer workers.

For most organizations, having the right employees with the necessary skills at the right time is crucial for meeting productivity targets and delivering goods and services punctually. Consequently, high turnover rates and absenteeism can lead to significant and costly challenges.

16. Analyze the return on investment (ROI)

There are several strategies for managing labor costs, but evaluating each one's potential return on investment is essential before implementation. The primary aim of a cost-cutting strategy is to maintain lower expenditure without sacrificing productivity or service quality. Therefore, businesses should compare projected labor cost savings with the expenses and timelines of implementing new systems or strategies.

17. Optimize staff performance

Lastly, optimizing performance helps save resources by reducing the workload that needs managing. To achieve this, one must provide employees with the tools and knowledge to manage their work effectively. Timesheet tools are the most easily accessible, affordable, and available option. They can improve organizational productivity, allowing staff to spend more time with clients. This will improve client satisfaction and enhance the company’s reputation.

Employees’ needs must be considered in the process. These may include physical, social, psychological, and professional needs. Common ones include sufficient physical space, adequate breaks, autonomy, recognition, interaction with coworkers, and growth opportunities.

Once the needs have been identified, it’s essential to prioritize them based on urgency. Some needs are more important for staff performance than others. Clear communication with managers is critical.  

Subscribe to weekly updates

You’ll also receive some of our best posts today