About Us
- WHAT IS IT?
- WHAT ARE ITS OBJECTIVES?
- WHAT ARE ITS ORIGINS?
- WHY WAS IT ESTABLISHED?
- WHEN WAS IT ESTABLISHED?
WHAT IS IT?
Working Time Analysts is an organization that provides an Advisory Service, publishes books, and undertakes research on various aspects of the organization of working time. The main focus of attention is on helping to devise shift rotas, and other ways of arranging the pattern of working time, that provide a 'best fit' to their organizations individual circumstances and needs.
WHAT ARE ITS OBJECTIVES?
The basic objective is to provide direct practical advice, guidance and assistance to those involved with the day to day operation of shift systems, or charged with policy decisions on the feasibility of alternative options. This is provided in two main ways:
- First. Through our specialist publications. These include books with fully illustrated examples of alternative ways of organizing the pattern of working time, compendia of different types of shift rota, and a newsletter highlighting current developments.
- Second. Through our Advisory Service. This is a full consultancy service that designs shift rotas, both on a traditional and annual hours basis, that are tailored to an organizations individual circumstances and needs. It also provides advice on the impact of the latter on pay and other terms and conditions of employment.
WHAT ARE ITS ORIGINS?
Working Time Analysts grew out of experience gained during a number of Oxford based research projects. For instance, a major Anglo-German study conducted in the mid-1970's investigating the adjustments that would be required following a reduction in the length of the effective working year. That is, the combined impact of a reduction in the length of the normal basic week. from, say, 40hrs to 35hrs; and an increase in annual holiday entitlements from three, to five, or more, weeks.
This research showed that a substantial reduction in the effective working year would have a significant impact on all types of shift system; continuous shift systems in particular. In view of this, attention was focused on the various ways in which shift systems could be adapted to ensure that production levels were maintained. Subsequent research projects extended the field of study to all patterns of working time, and the associated terms and conditions of employment.
WHY WAS IT ESTABLISHED?
The research projects were based on a case study approach, and as they progressed, a data bank of shift rotas was established. Over time it became increasingly apparent that this data bank was of direct practical benefit to participating organizations.
Both management and employees were interested in finding out what types of shift system were worked by organizations in the same industry, or by organizations with similar production demands. They were also interested in finding out how others had resolved specific problems, and how they had adapted their patterns of working time to cope with changing social and economic requirements. Indeed, given the number of unsolicited requests for information from organizations who were not part of the research projects, it was clear that the data bank was serving a need that was not met from elsewhere.
When these initial research projects were completed, a number of organizations felt that it was important to ensure that they had continuing access to the data bank of shift rotas. In order to meet this perceived need, it was decided that the data bank would be maintained; the information would be up-dated on an on-going basis; and that it would be made available to all interested organizations. Working Time Analysts Ltd was established to undertake this task.
WHEN WAS IT ESTABLISHED?
The data bank of shift rotas was originally established in 1975. Since that date it has been regularly up-dated through national and international surveys. During the late 1970's funding from the Nuffield Foundation was instrumental in making the material more readily available as a series of publications. The first of which was published in 1980.
Both the data bank, and the publications, reproduced rotas specific to particular organizations. Whilst in general terms these gave other organizations a grasp of the options available, in many instances they did not provide an exact fit with an organizations requirements.
The research projects had resulted in Working Time Analysts building up a significant level of expertise on alternative ways of reconciling production hours required, and employee hours available. Consequently, a number of organizations approached Working Time Analysts seeking advice on, and assistance with, the adaptation of shift systems in our data bank to their specific circumstances and needs.
The continued demand for this type of work resulted in the establishment of an Advisory Service, and subsequently, the development of a series of computer programmes enabling Work Time Analysts to customize and up-date an orgisation's shift rotas. Initially the publications were produced, and the Advisory Service was run, on a part- time basis. However, the volume of advisory work increased rapidly, and in July 1983 Working Time Analysts was formally constituted on a full-time basis.
Working Time Analysts Ltd., Penrhiw Farm, Cwmann, Lampeter. SA48 8HE
info@rotas.co.uk