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Posco to Implement 4-Team 2-Shift Steelworks Schedule
10/24/2011 - Posco recently implemented a 4-team 2-shift schedule in all departments and factories based on a series of trials and subsequent employee votes regarding the new system.
Posco recently implemented a 4-team 2-shift schedule in all departments and factories based on a series of trials and subsequent employee votes regarding the new system.
Posco held the employee vote on October 12th regarding implementing trial operation of the 4-team 2-shift schedule. With 16 departments and factories participating, 94.4% voted for the system. As a result of the vote, Posco has fully changed the 4-team 3-shift schedule that was in place for the last 20 years over to the 4-team 2-shift schedule.
The 4-team 2-shift schedule assigns 4 teams to the day and night shifts, with two teams working 12 hours each day while the other two teams have the day off. While the number of hours worked each increases from 8 to 12 hours, the total annual work hours remain the same, and the number of days off will increase by more than 80 days. This results in removing time inefficiency and improving the quality of rest for shift workers on days off.
In order to successfully introduce the 4-team 2-shift schedule, Posco first organized the “4-Team 2-Shift Labor and Management Research Team.” The research team carried out in-depth research regarding the system by benchmarking cases both domestically and internationally and analyzing related documents. The company also held several discussions between the union and management to determine the system adoption process, while efforts were made to increase employees’ understanding of the new shift system.
The 4-team 2-shift schedule assigns 4 teams to the day and night shifts, with two teams working 12 hours each day while the other two teams have the day off. While the number of hours worked each increases from 8 to 12 hours, the total annual work hours remain the same, and the number of days off will increase by more than 80 days. This results in removing time inefficiency and improving the quality of rest for shift workers on days off.
In order to successfully introduce the 4-team 2-shift schedule, Posco first organized the “4-Team 2-Shift Labor and Management Research Team.” The research team carried out in-depth research regarding the system by benchmarking cases both domestically and internationally and analyzing related documents. The company also held several discussions between the union and management to determine the system adoption process, while efforts were made to increase employees’ understanding of the new shift system.
Trial operation of the new schedule was conducted in phases over six months at specific sites that completed such preparations as reducing workload and expanding resting areas. The 4-team 2-shift trial operation period led to a reduction in consecutive night shifts, improved resting environment and increased days off. As a result, votes for the new schedule showed a steady increase with the first phase trial site vote of 72.5% (Jan 1, 2011), 88.6% (April 16, 2011) at the second phrase trial site, 92.1% (Aug 26, 2011) at the third phase trial site, and 94.4% (Oct 17, 2011) at the fourth phase trial site.
With transitioning to the 4-team 2-shift schedule, the company plans to continuously complement some areas where improvements are needed such as reducing fatigue due to concentrated shifts and expanding days-off programs for sufficient rest.
With transitioning to the 4-team 2-shift schedule, the company plans to continuously complement some areas where improvements are needed such as reducing fatigue due to concentrated shifts and expanding days-off programs for sufficient rest.
