Training and Certification of Work Schedule Managers May Improve Shift Scheduling Practices

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Human Factors Research and Development (R&D) Program sponsored the implementation of a strategic job analysis to investigate the job of work schedule managers (WSMs) across a diverse range of industries that employ shiftworkers at around-the-clock operations. Currently, no such position exists in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles or Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A WSM is broadly defined as a person responsible for managing, maintaining, and monitoring the work schedules of shiftworkers across multiple shifts in an organization. The management of shiftwork schedules can vary in complexity across industries and even between divisions in a single organization, depending on the design of the schedule, the number of employees, and the daily schedule maintenance requirements to meet operational needs. The current investigation sought to identify a common set of knowledge and skills needed by WSMs to ensure effective practices in schedule design and maintenance. Interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) suggest that as WSMs develop and manage work schedules, more emphasis should be placed on mitigating the health and safety risks associated with shiftwork. In addition, most job incumbents (JIs) interviewed did not have the breadth of knowledge needed to fully understand the health and safety effects of poorly designed work schedules. Some JIs expressed a desire to receive more training to better equip their employees with tools and information to manage shiftwork lifestyles. Although most JIs agreed about the importance and significance of their duties and responsibilities as a WSM, it was often an ancillary job. The primary form of training available to WSMs was on-the-job, with scheduling skills most commonly learned through trial and error. Results of this study suggest that disseminating shiftwork research findings and scheduling experiences via formalized training programs can improve JIs' knowledge of effective practices for schedule design and maintenance, thereby minimizing the health and safety risks of shiftwork. This will enhance JIs' skills in assessing the need for and the implementation of schedule changes to better balance productivity and safety without sacrificing the needs of the employees.

• Record URL:
  https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/training-and-certification-work-schedule-managers-may-improve-shift-scheduling-practices
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Railroad Policy and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Coplen, Michael
  • Morrow, Stephanie
• Publication Date: 2011-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 4p
• Serial:
  • Research Results
  • Publisher: Federal Railroad Administration
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abilities; Certification; Education and training; Fatigue (Physiological condition); Human factors; Job analysis; Managerial personnel; Physical fitness; Railroad safety; Railroads; Selection and appointment; Shifts
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fitness for duty; Gap analysis
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01475761
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 15 2013 9:48AM