Create a work pattern

Create a work pattern Set of shifts in WFM (usually a weekly set of shifts) that are assigned to employees. A work pattern typically includes one or more shifts and possible days off for one week., which includes one or more shifts and possible days off for one week. The scheduling engine can only schedule employees who have at least one weekly or monthly work pattern assigned to them. Only work patterns, not individual shifts, are assigned to employees.

One or more work patterns can be assigned to an employee. However, the scheduling engine selects only one work pattern to use for the entire week. It does not switch from one work pattern to another during the same week.

Benefits of work patterns

Some typical uses of work patterns include:

Allows an employee the flexibility to work two different types of shifts within one week
Allows the scheduling engine to use the optimal combination of shifts and shift Work period in WFM that has a definite length. events in a schedule
Controls the scheduling of weekday and weekend shifts
Generates potential scheduling options

Before you begin

Create a shift
If required - Create a VTO event and Create an OT extension

Procedure

To create a work pattern on an organizational level for all campaigns, go to Work Administration. Under Work Rules, select Work Patterns.

If you want to override the organizational settings and create a work pattern exception for a specific scheduling period only, go to Forecasting and Scheduling. Under Work Rules, select Work Patterns.
From the Work Administration module, from the left pane, select the organization for which you want to create a work pattern.

When creating an exception for a scheduling period, from the Forecasting and Scheduling module, select the campaign Collection of scheduling periods in WFM, which are defined time periods where specific employees target specific workloads. and scheduling period for which you want to create a work pattern.
Select Create.
On the Work Patterns screen, complete the fields.
To add shifts to the work pattern:
1. Under Work Days / Consistency > Shift, select Add.
2. From the Shift Details screen, select the shifts you want to add to the work pattern and select Add Selected Shifts.
  
  The selected shifts are added to the work pattern.
To define the consistency of shift start times for all or specific days in the work pattern:
1. Expand the shift.
2. Determine which days you want the shifts to start at the same times.
3. For those specific days, select the same value from the drop-down list of integers of 1-7.
  
  For example, if you want Monday and Thursday to start the shift at the same time, select 3 for both Monday and Thursday. (The 3 value just defines a specific start time group. You can select any value here, as long as it is the same value for both days.)
To ensure that the shift events start at the same times for the shift start time groups you created, select Consistent Shift Events for the relevant shifts. This setting only refers to the same shift events within the shift.
To add Voluntary Time Off (VTO) events to the work pattern:
1. Under VTO Events, select Add.
2. From the VTO Events screen, select the VTO events you want to add to the work pattern and select Add Selected VTO Events.
  
  The selected VTO events are added to the work pattern.
3. From Start Times, set the recommended start time of each VTO event.
To add Overtime (OT) extensions to the work pattern:
1. Under OT Extension, select Add.
2. From the OT Extension screen, select the OT extension you want to add to the work pattern and select Add Selected OT Extensions.
  
  The selected OT extensions are added to the work pattern.
3. From Start Times, set the recommended start time of each OT extension.
When you have completed all fields on the Work Patterns screen, select Save.

The new work pattern appears on the Work Patterns screen. To view the defined shifts, VTO events and OT extensions, select the arrow next to the work pattern name to expand the view.

What to do next

Create a rotation or Workflow: Assign work rules to employees