5+5+5>16 in retail and hospitality

Using flexible work schedules can enable a team to develop a stronger, more energetic workforce both short-term and long-term.

On a short-term basis, using 3 employees each working 5 hour shifts to cover a work day can save on break time and improve productivity.  In most areas, a 5 hour shift only requires a 15 minute unpaid workbreak.  An 8 hour shift requires a 30 minute paid break and 2 15 minute unpaid breaks.  

If you business is open 7am-10pm and you schedule employees from 7-3 and 2-10, you'd need to find 2 hours of time in which to run your operation short a person.   If you schedule employees from 7-12, 12-5, and 5-10, you only need to find coverage for 45 minutes of that same block of time.

Over-reliance or under-reliance on full-time staff can affect any business, but finding ways to cover your operation without running a traditional 8 hour work day can lend to better productivity and options for your employees.