Workforce Management
Core concepts
Workforce Management (WFM) focuses on scheduling, time tracking, absence, and labor optimization. Key objects include shifts, schedules, schedule patterns, time entry, time off plans, and accruals. Time tracking captures actual hours; scheduling plans expected hours. Absence is managed through time off plans with eligibility rules and accrual calculations. Labor demand forecasting drives schedule generation. WFM integrates with Payroll so approved time and time off flow into pay runs.
Traps
- Confusing time off plan (absence) with accrual (the balance calculation) - a plan may use accruals or be unlimited.
- Assuming scheduled hours equal paid hours - actual time entry and approvals determine pay.
- Forgetting that time off requests follow a business process with approval, and balances update on approval/effective date.
- Mixing shift (a defined working block) with schedule (the assignment of shifts to workers over time).
Rule of thumb
Separate "planned" from "actual": schedules are planned, time entries are actual, and payroll consumes approved actuals plus approved time off.
Worked example
A worker requests vacation. The time off request routes for approval; on approval, the accrual balance decreases as of the absence date, and the approved absence flows to payroll as paid time off. If the question asks when the balance changes, answer: on approval, effective as of the absence date - not when the request was submitted.