Workforce management solutions deployed to help save public safety jobs and meet budget goals

CHELMSFORD, Mass. (September 15, 2009) – A long-standing user of the time and attendance solution from Kronos® Incorporated, the Essex County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts recently went live with Kronos employee scheduling and HR and payroll solutions, and achieved an immediate, 90-percent reduction in overtime-related costs. The organization projects $1 million savings over 12 months with Kronos by accurately tracking, scheduling, and managing its workforce.
News Facts

* Faced with a $1.2 million state budget reduction in the middle of the fiscal year, the Essex County Correctional Facility needed to automate critical workforce business processes to control costs and subsequently save public safety jobs.
* Kronos configured the solutions, trained employees, provided support, and helped the correctional facility achieve the 90-percent reduction in overtime-related cost savings within one month of implementation of the new solutions. The facility paid $13,000 in overtime fees in March 2009 compared to $95,000 in February 2008. The increased visibility and control over data has delivered increased savings each month. In June 2009, the overtime expense was only $7,000 compared to $102,000 in June 2008.
* The Kronos solution generates a daily absenteeism and overtime report, which enables the sheriff to track overtime by the hour and make adjustments to avoid the added expense of overtime.
* Using the Kronos 4500 Touch ID(TM) biometric terminal, the facility has also eliminated buddy punching (the costly act of employees punching in for one another).
* The correctional facility implemented a new five-and-two workweek (five work days in a row with two days off) for the officers, replacing its older four-and-two workweek. The new workweek schedule supported by Kronos is adding thousands of additional shifts per year to eliminate overtime, resulting in cost savings of $500,000 from this schedule change alone for the remainder of the fiscal year.
* Kronos solutions are supporting changes implemented by the management team to meet the revised budget goals including unpaid days for senior staff, reduced workweeks for some employees, and a workweek schedule change for correctional officers.

Supporting Quotes

* Frank Cousins, Jr., Essex County Sheriff
“With 80 percent of our budget consisting of salaries and benefits, we had to take serious measures to save public safety jobs when faced with a significant budget reduction in February 2009. By utilizing Kronos to effectively and efficiently implement our new five-and-two schedule, our department has seen a 90-percent savings in overtime costs compared to last year. Which government entity wouldn’t want such results?”
* Christine Carmichael, director of government industry marketing, Kronos
“We are proud to be part of the Essex County Correctional Facility’s initiative to help save public safety jobs. The senior management’s vision and innovative approach to put the needs of its public and employees first are truly remarkable. Our configurable solutions are easy to implement, own, and maintain, and have enabled quick adjustments to adapt to the budget cut.”

Source: Kronos