Pareto-optimal workforce scheduling with worker skills and preferences

Ali İşeri (), Hatice Güner () and Ali Rıza Güner ()
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Ali İşeri: Mudanya University
Hatice Güner: Istanbul Rumeli University
Ali Rıza Güner: Istanbul Rumeli University

Operational Research, 2025, vol. 25, issue 2, No 5, 27 pages

Abstract: Abstract This paper addresses employee scheduling in service operations, considering various skill and skill levels and the fluctuating customer demand throughout the day and week. Employee shift and day-off preferences are also considered to enhance morale. We propose a two-stage integer programming model. In the first stage, the model optimizes the number of employees required for each shift period, ensuring uniform distribution of overstaffing to improve customer service. A Pareto frontier approach is applied between the two stages, offering decision-makers a set of non-dominated solutions that balance overstaffing and understaffing. The second stage uses the selected Pareto-optimal solution to assign shifts and day-offs to employees, incorporating their skills, preferences, and fairness considerations. Our model implicitly includes shifts and breaks, reducing decision variables and computational time. Using real data from a dining restaurant chain, we validate the model’s effectiveness in enhancing customer service and reducing labor costs by 12.3% compared to manual scheduling. Furthermore, productivity and employee satisfaction improve by considering individual skills and preferences.

Keywords: Hierarchical workforce scheduling; Pareto optimality; Employee preferences; Tour scheduling; Service industry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s12351-025-00903-7

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