confers no particular advantage or disadvantage. There
is every intent to provide appropriate opportunity for
individuals of all sizes, shapes, and descriptions by
matching them with jobs that they fit—and that fit
them. When criteria and screening/testing are even-handedly and fairly applied—and when other positions
better suited to an applicant might be offered—this risk
and the conditions that might lead to bad publicity or
legal challenges are significantly mitigated.
Furthermore, everyone wins. The employee has a
more-than-fighting chance at succeeding at the job.
Management gets a higher proportion of winners than
from random minimal-screening hiring.
Shareholders/owners reap the obvious financial benefits
of a system that cuts turnover costs and results in a
smaller, but more productive workforce.
As for the benefits themselves, it’s a slam dunk to get
10 to 20 percent greater throughput from a smaller,
more capable workforce, and the payoff can be even
greater. Quantifying the savings that result from reduced
turnover is tougher, but here’s an example of how the
numbers might look. Assume it costs $18,000 to source,
recruit, and train a new employee (a realistic number,
with many industries reporting even higher costs), and
turnover of 30 percent in a workforce of 250. Reducing
the annual turnover to 10 percent would add nearly a
million dollars ($900,000) to the bottom line.
It’s about time
A couple of generations ago, we hired warehouse labor
to handle pallets and cases on the basis of apparent brute
strength. We’re suggesting that there’s a more effective
and enlightened 21st century approach.
In short, we think it’s time. Time to do a better job of
figuring out what it takes to succeed at order picking or
packing, and then hiring people with those inherent
traits for the positions. Time to think longer-term about
hiring strategies, rather than just focusing on filling an
open slot. Time to take better advantage of all that we
know about ergonomics to build win-win-win organiza-tional/staffing solutions.
That doesn’t mean that we should abandon traditional ergonomics initiatives. There’s still more we can do in
that department. But maybe it’s time to incorporate
“revergonomics” into our business vocabulary—and our
business practices.
BEUMER stretch hood®
The powerful solution
for your packaging
needs.
Optimal safety for all palletised loading units.
Proven reliable in all weather conditions and
keeps its appearance at the same time. The
high-capacity packaging machine, BEUMER
stretch hood®;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
control technology, sophisticated function
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
the BEUMER company and its products on
the Internet.