Page 41 - PCPA Summer 2025 Bulletin Magazine

UNDERSTANDING SHIFT BIDDING: A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO SCHEDULING
2. Employee Bidding: Personnel are
notified of available shifts and can
indicate their interest based on
their availability and eligibility. In a
manual process, this might involve
paper forms or spreadsheets. In
a system, responders can view
and bid on shifts directly from a
desktop or mobile device.
3. Supervisor Review and
Approval: Unlike open self-
scheduling, shift bidding includes a
review step. Supervisors evaluate
bids and make final assignments
based on operational priorities,
staffing rules, and employee
qualifications. This ensures that
high-risk or specialized shifts are
assigned appropriately.
4. Final Schedules and
Communication: Once the shifts
are approved, the final schedule
is shared with personnel. In
automated systems, responders
receive real-time updates and can
view their shifts from anywhere.
Using a structured bid process
can help reduce overtime, ensure
proper coverage, and streamline
communication between command
staff and frontline personnel.
Why Offer Shift Bids?
Shift bids are more than just a
procedural function. They contribute
significantly to boosting employee
morale, reducing burnout, and
improving retention. By allowing
staff to express their scheduling
preferences, departments
demonstrate consideration for their
team's needs, fostering a more
positive work environment.
This gives staff greater control
over their work schedules, helping
them coordinate around family
commitments, a spouse’s work
schedule, daycare and school
obligations, and important family
events.
Methods to Manage the
Shift Bid Process
There are several ways to manage the
shift bid process:
Paper Sign-Ups or Whiteboards:
•
Pros: Simple and direct; easy to
view.
•
Cons: Cumbersome and time
consuming to manage; not ideal
for large departments.
Online Spreadsheets:
•
•
Pros: More efficient than paper;
editable and easily shared(for
example, through Google Drive).
Cons: Prone to errors and requires
more technology proficiency.
Offers limited safeguards,
meaning officers may bid on shifts
for which they’re unqualified.
Shift Bid Systems:
•
Pros: Purpose-built scheduling
systems streamline the
process and reduce manual
work. Command staff can use
automated notifications and
maintain audit trails, including
•
copies of previous bids for future
reference.
Cons: May involve upfront costs,
and require staff to adapt to a
new system.
Final thoughts
Managing shift bids requires careful
planning. When implemented
effectively, the process not only
improves departmental efficiency
but also enhances responder morale,
work-life balance, and overall well-
being. These are key factors in
boosting retention and reducing
burnout.
Though it may require adjustments
and involve a learning curve, a well-
executed shift bid process can
become a valuable asset to your
agency’s operations.
Curious to learn more about scheduling
software options that handle shift
bidding for law enforcement? Check
out PowerTime, by PowerDMS at
www.powerdms.com/power-time or
come visit us at Booth #58 at the
PCPA Conference in Lancaster
June 22-23rd.
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SUMMER 2025 BULLETIN