DTM2601-
ASSIGNMENT 1 2023
, QUESTION 1
1.1 Suggest five scheduling techniques that the management of the Red Train can apply
to ensure productivity on board the train.
Flexible working hours.
Flexible working hours can be applied where staff are only required on the property
when business demands it. Staff will work longer hours on high demand days and
shorter hours on low demand days, essentially balancing the total productivity time
required by the employer. This needs to be closely monitored to ensure that productivity
is maintained. The housekeeper also needs to ensure that all business hours are
covered by the necessary staff to maintain continuity of service to the guests. Kappa et
al (2008) also list flexible working hours as a positive contributor to staff morale.
Compressed work schedules.
Staff are scheduled for fewer days in a week, but will work longer hours on the days
they are scheduled. Instead of working five days of eight hours, the employee is
scheduled for four days of ten hours, allowing an additional day off. Reduced
absenteeism is listed as one of the primary benefits of this technique (Kappa et al
2008). However, it should be noted that in practice, this particular scheduling technique
would be limited to specific positions which do not have an immediate impact on guest
service.
Job sharing.
Job sharing allows two employees to accomplish a task regardless of who does it at a
particular time. Employees work on a part-time basis on overlapping shifts to complete a
particular task. Supervision in this instance may become difficult and therefore clear
responsibilities need to be assigned to each employee. Job sharing is ideally more
suitable for smaller establishments.
Team cleaning
Team cleaning allows two workers, say, room attendants, to work together to complete
their tasks. Increased security and staff morale are some of the benefits. Employees are
ASSIGNMENT 1 2023
, QUESTION 1
1.1 Suggest five scheduling techniques that the management of the Red Train can apply
to ensure productivity on board the train.
Flexible working hours.
Flexible working hours can be applied where staff are only required on the property
when business demands it. Staff will work longer hours on high demand days and
shorter hours on low demand days, essentially balancing the total productivity time
required by the employer. This needs to be closely monitored to ensure that productivity
is maintained. The housekeeper also needs to ensure that all business hours are
covered by the necessary staff to maintain continuity of service to the guests. Kappa et
al (2008) also list flexible working hours as a positive contributor to staff morale.
Compressed work schedules.
Staff are scheduled for fewer days in a week, but will work longer hours on the days
they are scheduled. Instead of working five days of eight hours, the employee is
scheduled for four days of ten hours, allowing an additional day off. Reduced
absenteeism is listed as one of the primary benefits of this technique (Kappa et al
2008). However, it should be noted that in practice, this particular scheduling technique
would be limited to specific positions which do not have an immediate impact on guest
service.
Job sharing.
Job sharing allows two employees to accomplish a task regardless of who does it at a
particular time. Employees work on a part-time basis on overlapping shifts to complete a
particular task. Supervision in this instance may become difficult and therefore clear
responsibilities need to be assigned to each employee. Job sharing is ideally more
suitable for smaller establishments.
Team cleaning
Team cleaning allows two workers, say, room attendants, to work together to complete
their tasks. Increased security and staff morale are some of the benefits. Employees are
