DealersEdge Professional Forums

Is anyone currently using shifts/4-day work week to assist with capacity issues? What has and has not worked. What are some things to consider as we look at trying increase technician count without the ability to build more stalls?

While I can't speak to personal experience, I've been in several stores that did this. Most techs that I've been around welcom the change, especially if they are already working 10+ hour days to fulfill capacity.

The main stumbling point is always carry-over and scheduling. What happens is the fourth day becomes a "friday" where advisors sometimes become scared to sdhedule work. So you'll have to make sure that everyone is comfortable with the carry-over process. Some shops I've been in have just worked the buddy system, where techs pair up with their counterpart in the other team, where they have a mutual respect on the diagnosis and repair process to continue the other's work.

I think what works the best is an "overtime" system where techs can stay late or come in early to finish up their carry-over work at a slightly increased rate or bonus.

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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
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Great ideas. However, at what point do you determine which flag hour is paid at normal rate and which at the "overtime" rate? It seems it would be tough to regulate and technicians would be encouraged to hold over time before actually flagging it.

I have been on the four day work week. We started it because our reservations were out to three weeks and we just couldn't fit any more technicians. We were working 9 hours a day and on saturday we had 1/2 a crew for 7 hours a day.
We started Jan 1 with three teams, two on at a time working four 10 hour days. Our shop was open 12 hours a day 6 days a week. This took care of our overload within 1 month. Our sales and grosses went up 25 to 30 percent. Our customers loved it especially saturdays. It was one of our better days. That is the good part.
The other side is exactly what was said above. Carryovers did become a burdan. With techs, service consultants and my cashiers all on the same schedule and the same team it did create havoc when they left on their 5 days off. We did have three team leader technicians that would work together to assist with the carryovers of the other team. The other draw back was having alot of employees because of the hours of operation. You really need to be sure this is the only solution. Because you do have to increase your sales and gross to make up for ther added employees. We added 7 techs, one writter, one cashier and 3 three porters.
Overall it worked very good and I would highly recommend it for a shop that is consistanly overloaded, not just during the busy season. One other thing is that I might add a shop foreman to help with the flow of work and the carryover situation

Paulp

Did you add any parts counterpersons?

Joe R

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No we didn't add any counter people. Early morning and for the last hour of the day they just had a skeleton crew. Saturdays they had just 2 of the normal 6 people. normally saturdays were just for the techs anyway since most local shop were closed.

We have multiple shifts, 2 of them on diffeent 4/10 schedules. We have more techs than stalls and work from 6 to 6, 6 days a week. It did help with the shop loads, but is very expensive, and hard on the crew, and requires more support staff. Due to holidays, ect, each person on a 4/10 does cost us an extra 1-2 days wages a year, may require more parts counter poeple, car porters, definietley more advisors. But if you can get the work out, treat people well, the business will keep coming, and again, you will be facing the need for yet more poeple. then the decision what do do next. A night crew??

[This message has been edited by Michael White (edited 09-06-2003).]