Rostering pitfalls: The pros and cons of app-based shift plans

Smart rostering apps can make switching shifts easier and prevent a string of phone calls when someone falls ill. — dpa

Anyone who works shifts knows duty rosters can leave everyone feeling hard done-by. With ever more flexible and diverse working patterns, and the need to help achieve work-life balance, rota patterns are becoming increasingly complicated.

There is now a range of online answers to this problem. Apps like Papershift, Shyftplan and Planday are designed to make modern work schedules simpler and faster. But the digital planning tools themselves pose some new challenges.