OUTLINE OF A METHOD FOR ALLOCATING RAILWAY SHIFT WORKERS ACCOUNTING FOR THE DIFFICULTY OF WORK

Abstract

At present, shift work is evaluated from the carriers’ perspective as employers. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to outline the characteristics of an innovative software application that would enable human resource managers to take railway workers’ satisfaction or the difficulty of a job into account when creating shift plans. This article includes an overview of the prevailing methods of handling railway shift worker scheduling and a list and description of the empirical methods for creating shifts. Next, the consideration given to the interests and preferences of employees regarding shift types is described. We then outline possible changes, especially changes utilising mathematical formulas. These patterns and considerations are verified through actual shifts and questionnaires distributed to a select group of employees. An actual shift of conductors at the Czech national carrier České dráhy is chosen for the case study. Finally, a proposal of a software system that takes employee preferences into account and permits the scheduling of blocks of free days is described. From the development point of view, the aim of this software is to achieve maximum satisfaction after subjective requirements are considered, thus ensuring, from the human resource management perspective, a higher degree of railway employees’ satisfaction, leading to better quality services and improved rail transport.