Hi Mark and Mike,
After a few years of dotted lines connecting me to employees on the org chart, I'm finally getting back to direct lines. I'm very excited for the chance to implement the many Manager Tools that you have provided!
Can you give me advice on how to set up one-on-ones with direct reports who are shift workers? I work at a 24/7 manufacturing facility, and will have 5 direct report shift supervisors. They work a 4 days on/4 days off rotation switching between 5P-5A night and 5A-5P dayshifts. I work M-F, 6:30A-5PM.
I can work out a regular schedule one-on-one with each supervisor every other week no problem. However, every week is a problem as I really need to leave at 5 to pick up my young children from daycare. Paraphrasing one of your casts- there is no work-life balance- you leave work to be with your family at the end of the day.
Incidentally, I live in Hawaii, and I have had the pleasure of working with Ed Texeira with the Oahu Civil Defense departement on a project. I'm assuming this is the same Colonel Teixeira who you have referred to in past casts. Great guy.
Thank you,
Cameron
One-on-ones with Shift Direct Reports
Cameron, M&M referred to phone O3's in the past, perhaps you could arrange similar once your children have been put to bed? While this will eat into your personal time, it will send a strong message to everyone just how important you view the O3's and the relationships with your directs.
I would go further that taking time to have conversations with your shift workers on a regular basis is essential if you are to maintain proper control.
Good luck, Chris.
One-on-ones with Shift Direct Reports
Are your hours flexible at all?
I am in a very similar situation to yours with 24hr shifts and 5 directs. Every week I start one of my days early enough to catch the night shift. The result is that I can have a one on one with 4 supervisors each week. In other words, each direct has 4 O3s every 5 weeks.
It's not ideal, but it's worked well for me.