IMPROVING STAFF RETENTION WITH POLICIES, SCHEDULING AND ENGAGEMENT

OBJECTIVES

Participants will be able to discussThe impact of having attendance policies

and following them consistently.The benefits to the organization of having

multiple schedule options available.The benefits of including staff in quality

improvement.

Let’s hear from the audience: Polling question

ATTENDANCE POLICIES

History of Sherbrooke Village Attendance Policy

Benefits to consistent policy/enforcement All staff aware of expectations and consequences Easier for managers to know how to proceed with

discipline All managers follow same policies

Risks Staff know loop holes If not all managers enforce the same, creates

dissention among staff/departments

Let’s hear from the audience: polling

CREATIVE SCHEDULING

Pitfalls of traditional staffing modules Hard shift change times create high levels of

noise and pulls all staff away from resident care at the same time

Increased noise increases behaviors Increased staff distraction leads to more falls Limited options for coverage for call-offs Does not provide added coverage at times of

greatest need – meals/get-up/lay-down times

CREATIVE STAFFING

Goal of Sherbrooke was to become the preferred St. Louis employer

Implemented a combination of 8, 10 and 12 hour shifts

Nurses 4 – 10 hour shifts Monday – Thursday 3 – 12 hour shifts Friday – Sunday; two nurses

around the clock Traditional 8 hour shifts on long term

neighborhood Overlapping allows 1 – 2 hours for nurses to wrap

up and complete charting at the end of their shift

CREATIVE SCHEDULING

CNAs 8, 10, 12 hours optionsAllows for increased coverage for

meal/get-up/lay-down times

CREATIVE SCHEDULING Benefits

Increased options for coverage for call-offsEliminated differential, increased overtime

pay for staff BUDGET NEUTRAL Improved staff quality of life due to fewer

days at workEliminated hard shift changes and

noise/chaos/staff distraction associated with shift change

Improved coverage at high risk timesSchedules are pre-determined

CREATIVE SCHEDULING

ChallengesStaff not wanting to stay on

Weekend Option long-termCharting responsibility when CNAs

come and go at all different times10/12 hours shifts were less effective

in long term neighborhood

What does the audience say: polling

2005 Gallup, Inc

GETTING STAFF INVOLVED Gallup’s Engagement Hierarchy

Basic NeedsWhat do I get? – Do I have everything I need?

Management SupportWhat do I give? – My opinion is valued

TeamworkDo I belong here? – Wider perspective beyond their job

GrowthHow can we grow? – We, not necessarily I

GETTING STAFF INVOLVED

Employee Satisfaction Surveys Position staff, family, residents as

experts Incremental Improvement Program –

not a suggestion system Leadership development to support

staff ideas Supporting staff retention

WRAP UP

Clearly defined, consistently enforced attendance policies decrease confusion and improve attendance and staff retention.

Having multiple options of schedules that are set allow staff to have control over their lives and quality of life.

Giving staff the opportunity to have a say in the governance of the facility increases ownership.

People want to work where there are high, clearly defined standards to which all are held accountable.