System and method for performing substitute fulfillment

Abstract

A system and method for automating the performance of substitute fulfillment. The system includes a server which receives absentee information representing an absent worker via a telephone communication link or an Internet communication link. In response to receiving the absentee information, the system generates a list of potential substitute workers. The system then contacts potential substitute workers until one is found or until the list is exhausted. The system can also post a list of positions that are available on a website allowing potential substitute workers to search for a position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 683,093, filed Nov. 16, 2001, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 419,266, filed Oct. 15, 1999, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 217,116, filed Dec. 21, 1998, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention relates to a human resource management system. More specifically, this invention relates to a human resource management system for performing substitute fulfillment, compiling absence and entitlement information, notifications of unexpected events, schedules, instructional information, and notifications of benefits and policies.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]To date, locating a substitute to fill a temporary employee absence in an or...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system streamlines the substitute fulfillment process, reduces labor and resource costs, enhances reliability, and allows for efficient tracking and notification, enabling organizations to maintain productivity and compliance even during absences, while also providing a centralized platform for data management and trend analysis.

Problems solved by technology

To date, locating a substitute to fill a temporary employee absence in an organization, a process referred to as “substitute fulfillment,” has generally been an unreliable, labor-intensive, and often panic-driven process.

These consequences may be immediate and drastic, as when an assembly line shuts down due to the absence of a critical worker on the line or an airline pilot is not able to report to duty, or more attenuated and moderate, as when another employee is distracted from his primary task to answer telephones due to the absence of the office receptionist.

These consequences may also include diversion of management resources to address the consequences of the absence; delays in accomplishing projects in which the absentee has a role; displacement of other employees who must fulfill the absentee's role, either by express assignment or in order to complete their own tasks; reduced productivity; fines levied against the organization, particularly if the absence impacts safety or other government-regulated aspects of the work environment; and, in an extreme but not uncommon case, the inability to complete the central task of the organization.

As a result, an upcoming absence may impact the workplace even before the absence period begins, as managers consider ways of compensating for the absence.

Thus, when an employee notifies the organization that the employee will be absent, in an organization where a substitute is necessary or desired, management must necessarily turn its attention to the substitute fulfillment task or risk a noticeable reduction in the productivity of the organization or an inability to accomplish the business of the organization for the entire absence period.

Although seemingly simple in concept, the substitute fulfillment task is non-trivial, requiring managers to devote significant time, effort and other resources, with no guarantee of success.

The number of intermediate tasks that must be accomplished and constraints that must be satisfied to successfully realize a particular substitute in a timely manner complicates substitute fulfillment.

In the worst case, management will be unable to find a substitute, despite having expended significant resources on the substitute fulfillment task.

Due to the complexity of the substitute fulfillment task and the diversion of resources it entails, many workplaces may forego substitute fulfillment despite its desirability.

If she is unable to find a substitute teacher, the operation of the class, the department, and even the whole school may be disrupted.

For example, the affected classes may fall behind in their scheduled curricula, an administrator or other teachers may have to neglect their other duties to cover for the absentee, and / or the school may be fined by the state for failing to provide an acceptable substitute teacher.

The equipment is expensive and set-up of the substitute fulfillment system may be technically demanding.

In order to upgrade the system, often all of the equipment must be replaced, at substantial expense and inconvenience.

At present, substitute fulfillment systems are not adequately reliable.

Power failures, computer network interruptions, telephone outages, computer system failures, unauthorized tampering, computer security crime, and other catastrophic events may undermine the efficacy of systems operated at the school district level.

Because all information is maintained locally at the school district level, system failures may result in partial or total data loss.

Backup systems entail additional expense, often not within the budgets of school systems.

Present systems are inherently limited in their capabilities due to equipment limitations, access constraints, and operation requirements; thus, each district typically purchases and installs a system and independently handles its own substitute fulfillment using the purchased system.

As a result of the decentralized nature of substitute fulfillment management in present systems, it is virtually impossible for school districts to share information and common substitute fulfillment resources.

For the same reason, compilation or aggregation of data relating to substitute fulfillment across school districts is difficult and uncommon.

Administrators and workers have a time-consuming, inefficient and often inaccurate procedures for recording absences and entitlements.

This results in labor-intensive recordation procedures and often no universal record (for access by both administrators and workers) detailing up-to-date absences and entitlements for the particular worker, a group of workers, or the overall workforce of the organization.

Presently, organizations often resort to bulletin boards, which are not remotely accessible, or phone chains, which are inefficient, unreliable, and labor-intensive.

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