Services to help you - shiftpatterns.com

_{Software: VisualrotaX}

VisualrotaX is shift pattern software for creating and running an efficient shift pattern. VisualrotaX is run in Excel and stacked with features to make running your shift pattern effortless.

Easy to create new shift patterns
Shift patterns can be uploaded into the program
Automatically creates individual calendarsInformation on:
How many on a shift each day (can be separated by skill)
Adds up sickness, and holidays, for both the individual and the entire shift pattern
Gives individuals hours

VisualrotaX is run in Excel to make running and creating shift patterns effortless.

Shift Patterns can either be uploaded directly into the software from our Shift Pattern Book or quickly created by hand. The shift information is inputted into VisualrotaX and then the shifts recorded in the shift pattern sheet added at the top of the sheet. If the number of shifts worked each day does not meet the requirements then these days are highlighted in red. This can happen when you are creating the shift pattern, or when you are running it as someone goes either off sick or on holiday. This table means that you can tell at a glance when you are and when you are not meeting you workload requirements. This makes creating shift patterns very quick.

One of the main features of this software are the individuals calendars. These are automatically created for all individuals from the shift pattern. They inform the individual when they are expected to work, the start and finish times of the shifts and when they are absent due to holidays or sickness. They also summarise the hours that individual is due to work and the holidays they have left to book.

Our course Shift Scheduling introduces you to creating and managing a shift pattern.

If you have a shift operation, then you need VisualrotaX. With our course Shift Scheduling, you not only have a copy of VisualrotaX included with your subscription, you also have detailed videos showing you how to use the software and shift pattern examples.

How to Manage your Shift Pattern

Learn new skills and on completion receive a certificate for your Personal Development Records. Find out how to manage holiday and absences. Discover new flexible working techniques and tools to help you combat everyday problems.

_{Training Courses}

Creating a shift pattern or shift schedule from scratch is a very daunting task. You need to understand how to plan out your shifts, understand how to include cover arrangements for holidays and absence, and know the laws which will be applicable. Then there is the tremendous task of introducing your new way of working to your staff. Fortunately we can teach you how.

One Day Workshop: Managing Shift Patterns

18th June 2025 in Central London

This training seminar is designed to equip participants with the essential tools and techniques to manage shift patterns effectively. Suitable for anyone overseeing shift operations, this seminar focuses on improving strategies to address the common challenges faced in day-to-day management of shifts.

Learning Objectives:

Master holiday management tactics to ensure operational continuity.
Develop and implement effective coping strategies for staff absences.
Identify the most common issues in shift management and create practical policies to address them.
Understand and apply methods to mitigate fatigue, enhancing productivity and well-being in shift work.

Whether you’re managing a single team or overseeing a complex operation, this seminar will help you streamline your processes and create a healthier, more efficient work environment.

One Day Seminar: Strategic Absence Management

Strategic absence management covers how to mitigating effect of absence on your business. Absences are expensive and time consuming. Each time someone is missing, you have to make a decision about how you will cover for their absence. Last minute absences can be especially expensive and difficult to cover. However we can teach you how to minimise the cost of absence.

Everyone is entitled to their holidays, and there are a lot of holidays to fit into one year. Trying to organise holiday cover is a full time job, and not a very popular one.

In this one day seminar learn how to fit everyone’s annual leave into your shift schedule and cover for any eventuality. Learn how to cover for absences without using overtime. Work out your staffing budget and learn how to stick to it.

Proactive absence management is about anticipating your absences and learning how to mitigate their effect. We will teach you how to ensure that you always have the correct number of staff, with the right skills, in the right place and at the right time.

Please contact us if you would like to know more.

_Books:

How to Manage your Shift Pattern: Holidays & Absence

"How to Manage your Shift Pattern" is the first shift pattern textbook. It is an essential management reference book that no manager should be without. It is unique in its analysis of the problems facing shift pattern managers today. This book outlines the main problems in running a shift pattern and offers a set of solutions to encompass all circumstances. Complete with summary pages, worked examples and example shift patterns this book will help any manager run their shift pattern perfectly and effortlessly.

The main problem all shift pattern managers face is: how do I accommodate all of the holidays within the year and without effecting the operation. The answer is of course to plan for the holidays in advance. With the correct shift pattern and with the proper holiday management planning in place a shift pattern manager can manage the holidays of over a 100 people on less than ½ hour per day. This book contains a range of solutions for holiday management along with examples and detailed explanations of how to implement them with in your organisation.

Holidays Sorted!

Once the holidays are sorted out your next problem will be absences. Absences have always caused problems because often they are at short notice and whatever cover arrangements are in place there is always that chance that they will still break down at the vital moment. In "How to Manage your Shift Pattern" we have discussed the different types of absences, including what an absence rate of 3% actually means in practice. There are a wide range of solutions, along with examples of how to incorporate the cover arrangements into your shift pattern.

However, what makes this book truly unique is that it answers the age-old question "How many staff do I need?" In this book you will find all the calculations you need with several worked examples. So you can ascertain quickly and easily if you are under or over staffed.

There are many more ebooks available from Amazon.

Latest book released in October 2023:

Flexible Shift Working: A New Approach to Flexible Shift Working using Banked Hours

"Mastering Flexible Working: Striking the Balance Between Employee Happiness and Organisational Efficiency"

In today’s fast-paced world, achieving the perfect work-life balance isn’t just a dream—it’s a necessity. This practical and insightful guide dives into the world of flexible working, showing businesses how to meet both their operational needs and their employees’ desire for greater autonomy.

From the concept of Banked Hours to creative scheduling solutions, this book offers a step-by-step approach to implementing flexibility in the workplace. Discover how to ensure the right people, with the right skills, are available at the right times—all while giving employees the quality time off they deserve. With real-world examples and proven strategies, learn how to sell the concept to your team and successfully integrate flexible work arrangements across diverse industries, from production lines to call centres.

Whether you’re a manager, union official, or business leader, this book is your ultimate toolkit for boosting efficiency, fostering fairness, and creating a happy, motivated workforce.

_Consultancy

C-Desk Technology: Transforming Shift Operations for Success

C-Desk Technology is a trusted business consultancy dedicated to empowering government entities and organisations to optimise their shift operations. With expertise in innovative solutions, we help our clients improve performance, enhance profitability, and achieve strategic objectives through efficient, well-managed operations.

Our services ensure your shift operations run smoothly, even in the face of challenges, through robust contingency planning and proactive holiday and absence management procedures. We advise on critical aspects like fatigue, work/life balance, and employee well-being, making small but impactful changes to shift patterns that align with operational needs while boosting employee satisfaction.

At C-Desk Technology, we save you invaluable time—time spent analysing workloads, crafting shift patterns, managing holidays, and arranging cover. While we can’t turn back time, we can help you plan effectively for the future.

Whether you’re in production, security, utilities, call centres, or beyond, our consultancy services are tailored to your industry’s unique needs. Let us help you revolutionise your shift operations and pave the way for a more efficient, balanced, and successful future.

shiftpatterns.com

C-Desk Technology