Innovative shift roster design

Roto Smeets specialises in the production of quality print work for high-impact mass communication. They have been printing for both national and international clients for several decades. They handle all the actual printing, and provide ancillary services as well.

Collective labour agreement options for Roto Smeets

Roto Smeets works with a shift system at various locations. The different operational processes mean the shift system is also different at each location. Furthermore, Roto Smeets was not totally sure what its options were under the collective labour agreement for the Graphic Media industry. Roto Smeets therefore asked Déhora to facilitate a workshop about the rules and regulations on shift rosters under the law and the collective labour agreement.

“The historical variation in our shift rosters has prevented us from introducing production solutions that would improve our commercial performance. In the printing industry, profitability is all about the optimal use of machine capacity and the effective deployment of human resources”, explained Richard van den Berg, Director of Human Resources at Roto Smeets.

Customised workshop for managers and works council members

Roto Smeets wanted the managers at the various locations, and the HR managers throughout the organisation, to learn how to optimise the shift roster design and still be in compliance with the rules and regulations under the law and the collective labour agreement. Roto Smeets therefore asked Déhora to facilitate a workshop for HR managers, production managers, and members of the central works council.

To start off with, Déhora made a baseline and diagnosis of the knowledge needs by carrying out a series of interviews with directors, HR managers, and supervisors of the business lines for Embossed and Rotary offset printing. At the same time, the participants in the workshop were sent a questionnaire for an analysis of the workload, the staffing levels, and any special circumstances in their departments. The findings of the questionnaires and interviews were then used to develop a customised workshop. The practical details were finalised in consultation with Roto Smeets.

New rostering options

Under the guidance of Déhora, the shift rosters of Roto Smeets were looked at from a new perspective.

Van den Berg, HR Director:

“The participants were informed about the available options under the ATW and how to combine capacity management with creative shift roster design. By looking at our current shift rosters from a new perspective, we were able to come up with new ideas.”