North East health services provider, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, is using SMART workforce management software for its e-rostering, time and attendance solutions to improve work life balance for over 3,500 staff with streamlined payroll.
The Trust said that it has already rolled out the time and attendance solution to over 80% of non-clinical staff, with all staff to be included by March 2011 and the e-rostering implementation completed by the end of 2011.
The Trust is using the web-based T&A system with biometric hand readers to ensure accurate reading of working hours that feed directly into its ESR payroll system.
The Trust expects to see cost and time savings through more accurate payroll, less administration and reduced use of bank staff through improved roster management.
The T&A system records staff working hours and enables the Trust to generate accurate pay, including enhancements and streamlines the management of holidays, absence and time-off in lieu balances.
Using the SMART e-rostering system staff are able to view their own hours worked/holidays due balances and can request shift patterns online, Gateshead said.
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust assistant director of finance Pam Oliver said the use of SMART provides them with better payroll controls and allows them to provide a more accurate payroll service.
"It provides more timely information for leavers and consequently reduces the possibility of overpayments," Oliver said.
"It gives an efficient process for recording staff absences and allows HR and managers to manage sickness absence more effectively."
