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Author: CENTRALLO PubID: HE-0772 |
Title: | GET THAT JOB: UNDERSTANDING WORK SCHEDULES |
Pages: 4
Status: OUT OF STOCK |
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Get That Job!
Understanding Work Schedules
HE-772, New Dec 1998. Adapted for use in Alabama by Carol Centrallo,Extension Apparel and Textile Management Specialist, Assistant Professor, Consumer Affairs, Auburn University
Understanding your work schedule is an important part of any job. Employers use schedules to get work done in the least expensive way.
After you have been hired for a job, it is important to learn the rules of the organization. One major rule of any organization is to keep the work schedule that tells you when to report to work. It is best to arrive at least 5 to 15 minutes ahead of schedule. This will show that you are reliable and eager to begin your workday.
You are usually taught how to read a work schedule when you start to work. In some cases, you may be required to work a split shift that requires working several hours followed by more than an hour break. Then you would return to work for several more hours. For example, you may work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. then leave and return at 5 p.m. and work until 9 p.m.
There are two kinds of work schedules--one kind tells you when you have to work and the other tells you what to do as well as when to do it.
Below is an example of a work schedule that tells you when and what you have to do.
July 21-28 Shift: 4 p.m. to Midnight | ||||||
| NAME | M | TU | W | TH | F | SA |
| David Cook 1 |
Deep Fry Area | Bread Area | Grill Area | Bread Area | Bread Area | Deep Fry Area |
| Kathy Cook 2 |
Grill Area | Salad Area | Deep Fry Area | Grill Area | Deep Fry Area | Grill Area |
| John Cook 2 |
Bread Area | Grill Area | Salad Area | Deep Fry Area | Grill Area | Bread Area |
| Mary Cook 1 |
Salad Area | Deep Fry Area | Bread Area | Salad Area | Salad Area | Salad Area |
| Jill Cashier |
Front Counter | Drive Thru | Front Counter | Drive Thru | Front Counter | Drive Thru |
| Joey Cashier |
Drive Thru | Front Counter | Drive Thru | Front Counter | Drive Thru | Front Counter |
Test how well you were able to read this work schedule by answering the following questions.
What week is this work schedule for? ____________________________________________
What shift does Joey have? What day? ___________________________________________
Is Jill a cashier? (Yes/No) _____________________________________________________
What does Jill do on Monday and Tuesday? _______________________________________
When does Mary work in the bread area? _________________________________________
Who works the drive-thru on Wednesday? ________________________________________
Who works in the deep fry area on Friday? ________________________________________
How many days does John work in the grill area? Which days? ________________________
Who works Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday?_______________________________________
Below is an example of a work schedule that tells you when you have to work. John, Joyce, Jessie, and Mary are full-time employees, and Jan is a part-time employee. Each employee is required to report to work 30 minutes before each shift. This will cover lunch breaks. Most jobs require the employee to come in early or to stay late to take care of time spent for meals.
Work Schedule - August 21-26 | |||
| Day Shift | Midday Shift | Evening Shift | |
| 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. | |
| Monday | John | Jessie | Mary |
| Tuesday | John, Jessie | Joyce | Mary |
| Wednesday | Joyce, Mary | John | Jan |
| Thursday | Jessie, Joyce | Jan | Mary |
| Friday | Jan, Jessie | Joyce | John |
| Saturday | Mary, Joyce | John | Jessie |
Check how well you could read this schedule by answering these questions:
What week is this work schedule for? _______________________________________________
Who works from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday? _____________________________________
Does any worker work two shifts in a row? (Yes/No) ___________________________________
What shift does Jessie work on Thursday? ___________________________________________
What shift does Mary work on Friday? _____________________________________________
What day is John off? __________________________________________________________
How many days does Jan work? How many hours? ___________________________________
How many days does Jessie work the day shift? ______________________________________
Which days are they? ___________________________________________________________
There are many different types of work schedules. The following example is of a "shift work" schedule.
Work Schedule June 1-14 | |||||||
Shift: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. | |||||||
| WEEK I | M | TU | W | TH | F | SA | SU |
| Worker 1 | off | Arnold | Arnold | Arnold | Arnold | Arnold | off |
| Worker 2 | Matthew | off | off | off | off | Matthew | Matthew |
| WEEK II | M | TU | W | TH | F | SA | SU |
| Worker 1 | off | off | off | Arnold | Arnold | Arnold | Arnold |
| Worker 2 | Matthew | Matthew | Matthew | off | off | Matthew | Matthew |
Your work schedule contains important information and tells you what work you are expected to do. Here are some helpful ideas for being successful in following your work schedule.
- Always write down your schedule after it is posted.
- Look at the work schedule daily for any changes.
- If you need to be off on a certain day, let your supervisor know at least two weeks ahead of time.
- If you cannot go to work for some reason, call your supervisor at least 4 hours before you are scheduled to work so he or she can find a replacement for you. Don't have a friend, spouse, or parent call and lie for you. Make the call yourself if you are able.
The work schedule is an important part of any job. Keep a marked calendar at home to remind you and your family of your work time. Know your work schedule and be on time.
References
Robinson, Catherine and Jenise Rowekamp. Speaking Up at Work, Oxford University Press, 1985.
Crystal, John C. and Richard N. Bolles. Where Do I Go from Here with my Life?, Ten Speed Press, 1974.
Armstrong, Fiona, Myra Baum, and Joan Block Miller. Getting Ready for the World of Work, McGraw-Hill Co., 1980.
These materials were developed by Dorothy Taylor and Jeffrey J. Guidry of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service with a grant provided by Mississippi State University--Southern Rural Development Center.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Published by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University), an equal opportunity educator and employer.
If you have problems loading this document, please email publications@aces.edu for assistance.
