Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1000673
32 / JULY.AUGUST.2018 USICERINKS.COM For quite a while, Brian Christianson, arena manager for the Apple Valley Sports Arena and Hayes Park Arena in Apple Valley, Minnesota, was scheduling his employees via email. Employee avail- ability came in that way and then the schedule was made from there. "I never really knew if they got my email," Christianson said. "People also weren't great with sending in their availability. We were dealing with a lot of schedule changes." This past December, the Apple Valley arenas began using an app called W henIWork. This program has made their scheduling much smoother and allowed for better communication. The application works on both smartphones and desktop computers and is a way for employees and managers to work in the same space on scheduling. On the app, employees can set their availability for as far out as they want. Managers can set schedules directly from their phone and employees will be notified on the app and via email. Messages can also be sent out to employees and shifts can also be swapped. When Christianson was considering doing it for his rink, there was some resistance at first. "I think at first our employees were apprehensive, especially those who weren't as technologically savvy," Christianson said. "Once they got a walk-through with us, they have fig- ured it out and have really grown to appreciate it." Right now, the rinks in Apple Valley use WhenIWork mostly for scheduling. Employees set their availability on the app, the manag- ers make the schedule and shifts are swapped between employees. "I don't spend as much time as I used to mediating schedule changes," Christianson said. "We can send out schedules quickly and get them adjusted. If someone does need to change a shift, it's only available for those qualified for that position." Aside from scheduling, the app also can help with employees clock- ing in and clocking out. An employee clocks in on the app and is GPS- based so that the employee has to be within the building when he or she checks in. Christianson said it's something they're considering using going forward. Employees would either check in on their own cell phone or use a tablet that was pro- vided by the rink. Though Christianson was apprehensive to adopt this new technology, he has had nothing but positive things to say about how it's helped his rinks. His advice is simple for those who are considering adopting the application. "Just go ahead and do it," Christianson said. "It has really streamlined our scheduling process. For me, it costs 1 dollar per employee that's active on the site. It's a cheap technology that really benefits all staff members and those who help operate our facility." J Apps to Help Simplify Scheduling , WhenIWork , Google Docs/Calendar , Doodle , Sling , Deputy , Shiftboard , Forecast , Float , Humanity , Homebase , TrackSmart , HotSchedules , Fantastical 2 , WorkTime "I DON'T SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS I USED TO MEDIATING SCHEDULE CHANGES. WE CAN SEND OUT SCHEDULES QUICKLY AND GET THEM ADJUSTED. IF SOMEONE DOES NEED TO CHANGE A SHIFT, IT'S ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THOSE QUALIFIED FOR THAT POSITION." 32 / JULY.AUGUST.2018 USICERINKS.COM Getting Smart with Communication