Work management device, work management method, and operator assignment system

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technology for generating a work shift in which requests from operators are easily reflected.　This work management device is characterized by comprising: a storage unit for storing an operation list including a plurality of operations having at least the start times and the end times specified, operator data including a plurality of operators who engage in any of the operations, and work shift data in which the operation list and at least one of the operators scheduled to engage in an operation are associated; a recommendation processing unit for, with regard to an operation lacking an operator scheduled to engage therein, executing a process for extracting, as a candidate, an operator who is not scheduled to engage in any of the operations in the operation list on the same day, and a recommendation notification process for inquiring the candidate whether or not to accept the engagement in the operation; and a vacancy assignment unit for executing a process for receiving an inquiry result, associating, as an operator scheduled to engage in the operation, the candidate who has accepted the engagement, and including the candidate in the work shift data.

Description

Work management device, work management method, and worker assignment system

[0001] The present invention relates to a work management device, a work management method, and a worker assignment system.

[0002] With the spread of smartphones and the development of network environments, part-time workers (workers) are increasingly free to choose their work styles (time, content, location, etc.). However, while this freedom in work styles is high, it is also becoming more complex for those who request work from part-time workers (for example, store managers) when assigning part-time workers. In other words, it is becoming more difficult to appropriately reflect the working preferences of individual part-time workers in shifts. As a result, over a certain period of time (such as a month), the number of days worked may differ from what was desired.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a shift matching system that has a manager's terminal operated by the store manager, part-time worker terminals carried by multiple part-time workers, and a server; when a decision signal is input from the manager's terminal regarding the date, time, and position as conditions for the required part-time worker shift slot, part-time workers that meet these conditions are extracted from a part-time worker database stored on the server, and the hourly wage corresponding to that part-time worker shift slot is calculated based on the hourly wage calculation standards stored on the server; the date, time, position, and calculated hourly wage are displayed on the extracted part-time worker terminal; and when an approval signal is input from the part-time worker terminal in response to this display, the part-time worker's work schedule and hourly wage for that part-time worker shift slot are confirmed.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-184655

[0005] The above system may result in individual part-time workers working fewer days than they wish to work over a certain period of time (for example, one month). Also, since there are no special provisions for dealing with work that requires recent changes in the number of people or the skills required, or for dealing with fluctuations in the number of staff required, or changes in work requests, its effectiveness is limited in industries that target such work.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide a technology for easily generating work shifts that reflect the wishes of workers.

[0007] The present application includes a number of means for solving at least part of the above problems, examples of which are as follows.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, a work management device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a memory unit that stores a work list including a plurality of tasks for which at least a start time and an end time are specified; worker data including a plurality of workers who will be engaged in any of the tasks; and work shift data in which the work list is associated with at least one of the workers who are scheduled to be engaged in the tasks; a recommendation processing unit that performs a process of extracting, as candidates for a task included in the work shift data for which there is a shortage of workers scheduled to be engaged in the task, workers who are not scheduled to be engaged in any of the tasks in the work list on the same day as either the start time or the end time of the task; and a recommendation notification process that queries the candidates as to whether they will accept or reject the task; and a vacancy assignment unit that receives the results of the query and associates the candidates who have accepted the query as the workers scheduled to be engaged in the task and includes them in the work shift data.

[0009] In addition, in the above-mentioned work management device, the worker data may include information identifying the skills possessed by the worker, and the recommendation processing unit may, in the recommendation notification process, change the work to be notified for each candidate in accordance with the possessed skills.

[0010] In addition, in the above-mentioned work management device, the worker data may include information identifying the worker's place of residence, and the recommendation processing unit may, in the recommendation notification process, change the work to be notified for each candidate depending on the worker's place of residence.

[0011] In addition, in the above-mentioned work management device, the tasks in the task list may include the required man-hours for the tasks, and the recommendation processing unit may use the required man-hours in the process of extracting the candidates to determine whether there is a shortage of workers for the tasks.

[0012] In addition, in the above-mentioned work management device, the recommendation processing unit may assign a priority to the candidates in the recommendation notification process and inquire about their acceptance or rejection according to the priority, and the vacancy assignment unit may include the candidates who have accepted the request in the work shift data according to the priority.

[0013] In addition, in the above-mentioned work management device, the recommendation processing unit may assign a priority to the candidates in the recommendation notification process, and inquire about their acceptance or rejection at time intervals according to the priority, and the vacancy assignment unit may include the accepted candidates in the work shift data according to the order in which they accepted.

[0014] In addition, in the above-mentioned work management device, the worker data includes the attendance cancellation points held by the workers, and for tasks included in the work shift data in which the workers scheduled to work are redundant, a work imbalance adjustment unit is provided that cancels the scheduled work of workers scheduled to work on the task who have few attendance cancellation points and increases the attendance cancellation points of the workers, and the recommendation processing unit may give a high priority to candidates with many attendance cancellation points in the recommendation notification process.

[0015] In addition, in the above-mentioned work management device, the worker data may include a same-day priority attendance cancellation flag held by the worker, and the work imbalance adjustment unit may assign the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag when increasing the attendance cancellation points of the worker whose scheduled work is canceled, and the recommendation processing unit may assign a higher priority to the candidate to whom the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag has been assigned than to the candidate to whom the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag has not been assigned in the recommendation notification process.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-described work management device, the work imbalance adjustment unit may refer to the work shift data for a predetermined period, and if a predetermined specific task among the tasks is unevenly distributed among the workers, match the workers engaged in the predetermined specific task in the work shift data so as to reduce the imbalance.

[0017] In addition, another aspect of the present invention is a work management method that uses a work management device, the work management device comprising: a memory unit that stores a work list including a plurality of tasks for which at least a start time and an end time are specified; worker data including a plurality of workers who will be engaged in any of the tasks; and work shift data in which the work list is associated with at least one of the workers who are scheduled to be engaged in the tasks; and a processing unit, the processing unit performs the following steps: for a task included in the work shift data for which there is a shortage of workers scheduled to be engaged in the task, extracting as candidates workers who are not scheduled to be engaged in any of the tasks in the work list on the same day as either the start time or the end time; a recommendation notification step that queries the candidates as to whether they will accept the task; and a step of accepting the query result, and including the candidates who have accepted in the work shift data in association with the workers scheduled to be engaged in the task.

[0018] In addition, a worker assignment system according to another aspect of the present invention receives a work list including a plurality of works for which at least the start time and end time are specified, worker data including a plurality of workers who will be engaged in any of the works, and work shift data in which the work list is associated with at least one of the workers who are scheduled to be engaged in the work, and, for the works included in the work shift data for which there are not enough workers scheduled to be engaged in the work, extracts as candidates workers who are not scheduled to be engaged in any of the works in the work list on the same day as either the start time or the end time of the work; sends a recommendation notification to the candidates asking whether they agree to be engaged in the work; and receives the results of the inquiry and associates the candidates who have agreed as workers scheduled to be engaged in the work and includes them in the work shift data.

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology for easily generating work shifts that reflect the wishes of workers.

[0020] Problems, configurations, effects, and the like other than those described above will become clear from the following description of the embodiments.

[0021] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overview of a worker assignment system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a worker assignment system. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of worker data. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of desired work data. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work list. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a work management device. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work shift generation sequence. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a desired shift registration screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shift confirmation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work shift adjustment sequence. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a process for extracting work that requires adjustment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a recommendation process. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work attendance acceptance / rejection response screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recommendation notification.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a worker assignment system. In this example, the worker assignment system 1 is illustrated as targeting cleaning work (hotels, office buildings, etc.). The workers and managers refer to part-time workers and the person who commissions the part-time workers, respectively. The facility to be cleaned does not necessarily have to be a hotel or an office building, but may include various rooms, buildings, structures, signs, etc. Furthermore, the workers do not necessarily have to be part-time workers in the strict sense, but may be employed in various forms (part-timers, temporary workers, full-time employees, etc.).

[0024] In the worker assignment system 1, the manager inputs the target work from the manager terminal 200 to the work management device 300 via the network 50, and the worker inputs the desired work dates from the worker terminal 100 to the work management device 300 via the network 50, and the work management device 300 automatically generates an appropriate work shift (basic work shift). The worker can refer to his or her own work shift by inquiring about the work management device 300 from the worker terminal 100 via the network 50. In addition, the worker terminal 100 can be used to input desired work, receive vacancy filling notifications, and apply for vacant work.

[0025] Furthermore, the manager can instruct the work shift to be recreated by inputting changes or cancellations of work, or worker vacancies, etc. into the work management device 300 from the manager terminal 200 via the network 50. When instructed, the work management device 300 extracts workers and asks each worker whether they agree to come to work, and incorporates workers who agree to come to work via the worker terminal 100 into the work shift.

[0026] Furthermore, the manager can instruct the work management device 300 via the manager terminal 200 and the network 50 to accept work requests from workers and to calculate basic work shifts in accordance with the work requests.

[0027] Furthermore, it is desirable that the worker terminal 100 and the manager terminal 200 are highly portable information processing devices such as smartphones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), or tablet terminals that can communicate with the work management device 300 via the network 50. The functions of the worker terminal 100, the manager terminal 200, and the work management device 300 are realized by software that runs on an OS (Operating System).

[0028] 2 is a diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a worker assignment system. The worker assignment system 1 in this embodiment includes a worker terminal 100, a work management device 300 that is communicatively connected to the worker terminal 100 via wired or wireless communication, and a manager terminal 200 that is communicatively connected to the work management device 300 via a network 50.

[0029] The worker terminal 100 is basically an information processing device carried by the worker himself / herself. In this embodiment, the person using the worker terminal 100 is the worker (part-time worker). The manager terminal 200 is basically an information processing device carried by the manager himself / herself, or an information processing device loaned to the manager by the company to which the manager belongs for business purposes. In this embodiment, the person who directly uses the manager terminal 200 is the manager (the person who requests work from part-time workers).

[0030] The network 50 is, for example, a network such as the Internet or an intranet. However, the network 50 is not limited to this and may also be a WAN (Wide Area Network), a mobile phone network, or a communication network that combines these. Alternatively, the network 50 may be a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on a wireless communication network such as a mobile phone communication network.

[0031] The work management device 300 is an information processing device such as a server device. The work management device 300 is connected to the worker terminal 100 and the manager terminal 200 via a network 50.

[0032] The worker terminal 100 includes at least a processing unit 120, a display unit 130, an input unit 131, and a communication unit 140. The processing unit 120 includes a browser unit 121 and realizes a so-called web browser function. For example, the processing unit 120 sends a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locator) to the work management device 300, displays the returned HTML (HyperText Markup Language) page, and controls viewing and input.

[0033] The manager terminal 200 is basically the same as the worker terminal 100. The work management device 300 includes a storage unit 310, a processing unit 320, and a communication unit 340. The storage unit 310 includes worker data 311, desired work data 312, a work list 313, basic work shift data 314, adjusted work shift data 315, and actual work shift data 316.

[0034] 3 is a diagram showing an example of worker data. The worker data 311 stores information about multiple workers engaged in a task. The worker data 311 includes a worker ID 311a, a name 311b, years of experience 311c, skills 311d, a place of residence 311e, standard working hours 311f, and attendance cancellation points 311g.

[0035] The worker ID 311a is information that identifies the worker from other workers. The name 311b is information about the worker's name. The years of experience 311c is information about the period of time that the worker has been working part-time. The possessed skills 311d is information that identifies the qualifications and abilities that the worker possesses. The residence 311e is information that identifies the place where the worker resides. The standard working hours 311f is information that identifies the normal working hours during which the worker works. The attendance cancellation points 311g are information that identify the attendance cancellation points that are awarded when a work schedule is canceled due to reasons on the part of the manager or because the work has been canceled.

[0036] 4 is a diagram showing an example of desired work data. The desired work data 312 stores information about the desired work of a worker. The desired work data 312 associates, for each combination of a worker ID 312a and a month 312b, a start time 312c, an end time 312d, a desired daily work day 312e, a desired weekly work day 312f, and a desired monthly work day 312g.

[0037] The worker ID 312a is information that identifies the worker from other workers. The month 312b is information that specifies the month in which the worker will work. The start time 312c and end time 312d are information that specifies the start time and end time of work, respectively. The desired daily work day 312e, desired weekly work day 312f, and desired monthly work day 312g are information that specifies the days on which the worker wishes to work on daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, respectively.

[0038] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a task list. The task list 313 stores information on multiple tasks, each of which has at least a specified start time and end time. For each combination of a client 313a and a project 313b, the task list 313 associates a start date / time 313c, an end date / time 313d, a task type 313e, a required skill 313f, and man-hours 313g.

[0039] Client 313a is information that identifies the client, i.e., the client to be cleaned, from other clients. Case 313b is information that identifies the work. Start date and time 313c and end date and time 313d are information that identify the date and time when the work starts and the date and time when the work ends, respectively. Work type 313e is information that identifies the type of work. Required skills 313f is information that identifies the skills required for the work. Man-hours 313g is information that identifies the man-hours required for the work.

[0040] Returning to the explanation of Figure 2, work shift data refers to information in a predetermined format that associates a task list 313 with at least one or more workers scheduled to be involved. Basic work shift data 314 is information in which tasks are associated with workers within the range of work preferences of all workers. Adjusted work shift data 315 is information in which tasks are associated with workers within the range agreed to by the workers but that deviates from the range of worker preferences, by adjusting for worker man-hours or personnel shortages, relative to the basic work shift data 314. Actual work shift data 316 is past work shift data, and is information in its final state that reflects any corrections made on the day of work.

[0041] The processing unit 320 realizes application functions and includes a work request receiving unit 321, a basic work shift calculation unit 322, a work imbalance adjustment unit 323, a vacancy assignment unit 324, and a recommendation processing unit 325.

[0042] When the work request receiving unit 321 receives a shift creation instruction from the manager terminal 200, it sends screen information and a notification for inputting work requests to the worker terminal 100, and acquires input information for work request data.

[0043] The basic work shift calculation unit 322 assigns tasks to workers within the range of the worker's desired work schedule. For example, the basic work shift calculation unit 322 assigns a task to a worker on a day when the worker wishes to work, regardless of whether there is a surplus or shortage of personnel, and does not assign any task to a day when the worker does not wish to work, regardless of whether there is a surplus or shortage of personnel. Furthermore, the basic work shift calculation unit 322 does not assign a task to a worker for which the worker does not have the necessary skills.

[0044] For tasks included in the work shift data where there are excess workers scheduled to perform those tasks, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 cancels the scheduled work of workers scheduled to perform those tasks who have low attendance cancellation points and increases the attendance cancellation points of those workers. Furthermore, when increasing the attendance cancellation points of workers whose scheduled work is canceled, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 assigns a same-day priority attendance cancellation flag. Furthermore, when a specific task is unevenly distributed among workers, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 references the work shift data for a predetermined period and associates workers engaged in the specific task in the work shift data to reduce the uneven distribution. For example, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 calculates the frequency of specific tasks (e.g., cleaning in a site with a strong odor or using special chemicals) by adding up the actual work shifts and the provisionally calculated basic work shifts, and rearranges the task assignments for each worker based on the calculated frequency over a predetermined period (e.g., one week) to prevent a distribution imbalance among workers in specific tasks (e.g., cleaning in a site with a strong odor or using special chemicals).

[0045] The vacancy assignment unit 324 receives the result of the inquiry made by the recommendation processing unit 325 to the worker regarding whether or not to engage in the work, and performs processing to associate the accepted candidates as workers scheduled to engage in the work and include them in the work shift data. In addition, the vacancy assignment unit 324 includes the accepted candidates in the work shift data in order of priority (for example, according to the order in which they accepted).

[0046] The recommendation processing unit 325 performs a process to extract, as candidates for tasks included in the work shift data for which there is a shortage of workers scheduled to perform the task, workers who are not scheduled to perform any of the tasks in the task list on the same day as either the start time or end time. The recommendation processing unit 325 also performs a recommendation notification process to inquire about the candidate's willingness to perform the task. In the recommendation notification process, the recommendation processing unit 325 also changes the tasks to be notified for each candidate based on either the candidate's skills or place of residence, or both. In the candidate extraction process, the recommendation processing unit 325 also uses the required man-hours to determine whether there is a shortage of workers for the task.

[0047] Furthermore, in the recommendation notification process, the recommendation processing unit 325 assigns priorities to candidates and inquires whether they agree to work according to the priorities (for example, by setting a time difference according to the priorities). When assigning priorities, the recommendation processing unit 325 assigns a higher priority to candidates with a higher number of attendance cancellation points. Furthermore, in the recommendation notification process, the recommendation processing unit 325 assigns a higher priority to candidates to whom a same-day priority attendance cancellation flag has been assigned than to candidates to whom a same-day priority attendance cancellation flag has not been assigned.

[0048] The communication unit 340 communicates with other devices via wired or wireless communication. For example, the communication unit 340 communicates via various wired communication cables such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) cable or via radio waves of a wireless LAN.

[0049] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a work management device. The work management device 300 has a processor 11, memory 12, storage 13, display 15, and communication device 16, and each component is connected by a bus. The power source may be a primary battery or a rechargeable secondary battery, which can be replaced when worn out or deteriorated.

[0050] The processor 11 is an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes processing according to programs recorded in the memory 12 or the storage 13. In the work management device 300, processing is performed by the processor 11, which operates according to programs read onto the memory 12 or the storage 13. The processing unit 320, work request receiving unit 321, basic work shift calculation unit 322, work imbalance adjustment unit 323, vacancy assignment unit 324, and recommendation processing unit 325 each realize their respective functions by the processor 11 executing the programs.

[0051] The memory 12 is a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, and functions as a storage area from which programs and data are temporarily read. The storage 13 is a writable and readable storage device. The function of the storage unit 310 is realized by the memory 12 or the storage 13. Note that the function of the storage unit 310 may be realized by a storage device connected via the communication device 16.

[0052] The display 15 is a device that provides an interface for input and output, and outputs to the display and accepts input via a touch panel, keyboard, or mouse.

[0053] The communication device 16 is an interface for connecting the work management device 300 to an external device for communication. For example, the communication device 16 performs wireless communication using an antenna that can use a predetermined radio wave (for example, 5 GHz band, 2.4 GHz band, etc.) that establishes a connection with the manager terminal 200 according to the Wi-Fi standard.

[0054] The processing of each component of the work management device 300 may be executed by one piece of hardware or by multiple pieces of hardware. Furthermore, the processing of each component of the work management device 300 may be realized by one program or by multiple programs.

[0055] The manager terminal 200 and the worker terminal 100 have roughly the same hardware configuration as the work management device 300, but like a typical smartphone, they often include input / output devices such as a touch panel display and a microphone.

[0056] Next, we will explain the processing flow of the worker assignment system 1. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a work shift generation sequence of the worker assignment system 1. The processing of this sequence diagram is a sequence when the work management device 300 automatically generates a basic work shift in response to an instruction from the manager terminal 200.

[0057] First, the manager terminal 200 transmits task list information to the work management device 300 (step S01). Note that this information may be transmitted at regular intervals, such as once a day, once every few days, once a month, or once every few months, or may be transmitted at any time.

[0058] Then, the manager terminal 200 transmits a shift creation instruction to the work management device 300 (step S02).

[0059] Then, the work desire receiving unit 321 that has received the shift creation instruction notifies the worker terminal 100 of a work desire input message (step S03). Specifically, when the work desire receiving unit 321 receives a shift creation instruction from the manager terminal 200, it sends screen information for inputting work desires and a notification to the worker terminal 100, and receives input information for the work desire data 312.

[0060] When the browser unit 121 of the worker terminal 100 receives the desired work days input message, it accepts input of the desired work days from the worker and transmits the input as desired work days to the work management device 300 (step S04).

[0061] Then, the basic work shift calculation unit 322 provisionally calculates a basic work shift by referring to the desired work data 312 (step S05). Specifically, the basic work shift calculation unit 322 assigns work to workers within the range of the workers' desired work hours.

[0062] The work imbalance adjustment unit 323 then totals the actual shifts and the provisionally calculated basic work shifts to adjust the work load so that specific tasks are not unevenly distributed among workers (step S06). Specifically, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 totals the actual shifts and the provisionally calculated basic work shifts to calculate the frequency of work for each worker over a predetermined period (e.g., one week) and swaps the work assignments between workers, so that, for example, cleaning at sites with strong odors or cleaning using special chemicals is not unevenly distributed among workers. Furthermore, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 may pre-set combinations of workers that should be avoided, taking into account factors such as worker compatibility, and if a combination of workers that should be avoided results in the same site group, change the site group of one of the workers to a different site group. This reduces the possibility of workers with poor compatibility running into each other at the same site.

[0063] Then, the basic work shift calculation unit 322 stores the basic work shift in the basic work shift data 314 (step S07).

[0064] The above is an example of a work shift generation sequence. This work shift generation sequence allows the manager to generate work shifts that reflect the employee's work preferences without having to adjust specific shift slots and part-time employee availability.

[0065] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a shift preference registration screen. The shift preference registration screen 400 is an example of a screen displayed on the worker terminal 100 in step S04 of the work shift generation sequence. The shift preference registration screen 400 includes a display area 410 in which the worker can specify a date, such as a monthly calendar display, and input whether or not they can come to work, and a registration instruction button 420 that accepts an instruction to send the input information on whether or not they can come to work to the work management device 300 as work preference data.

[0066] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a shift confirmation screen. The shift confirmation screen 500 is an example of a screen on which the worker's own work shift is displayed on the worker terminal 100 by referencing the basic work shift data 314 generated by the work shift generation sequence, or the adjusted work shift data 315 if such data exists. The shift confirmation screen 500 includes, for example, an information display area 510 for work scheduled to be performed on the reference date, and a date display area 520 in which a date can be specified and input, such as a monthly calendar display. When input is made in the date display area 520, the work scheduled to be performed on the date specified in the date display area 520 is displayed in the information display area 510.

[0067] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a work shift adjustment sequence. The processing of this sequence diagram is a sequence in which the work management device 300 performs automatic adjustment of work shifts in response to an instruction from the manager terminal 200.

[0068] First, the manager terminal 200 accepts input of work or worker shift correction information and transmits it to the work management device 300 (step S11). Note that this information may be transmitted at regular intervals, such as once a day, once every few days, once a month, or once every few months, or may be transmitted at any timing (for example, every time a worker notifies the work management device 300 of an absence via the worker terminal 100).

[0069] Then, the manager terminal 200 transmits a vacancy assignment instruction to the work management device 300 (step S12).

[0070] Then, the vacancy assignment unit 324 that has received the vacancy assignment instruction creates adjusted work shift data that reflects the worker and task modifications in the basic work shift data (step S13). Specifically, when the vacancy assignment unit 324 receives a vacancy assignment instruction from the manager terminal 200, it reads the basic work shift data 314 for the day with the modification or the adjusted work shift data 315 if it exists, and modifies the content of the target task or the association between the target task and the worker in accordance with the modification.

[0071] Then, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 performs a process to extract work that requires adjustment, which will be described later, to remove the attendance of workers from sites with a surplus of personnel and extract sites with a shortage of personnel (step S14).

[0072] The recommendation processing unit 325 then performs a recommendation process (described later) to extract workers who have no work to do on that day as candidates for sites with a shortage of personnel (step S15). The recommendation processing unit 325 also performs a recommendation notification process to inquire about the consent of the candidates to engage in the work.

[0073] Then, the browser unit 121 of each candidate's worker terminal 100 accepts input of whether or not they will come to work from the candidate and sends a response to the work management device 300 (step S16). Note that if there are multiple tasks to be assigned to a vacancy, the browser unit 121 can respond with an acceptance for any or multiple tasks, as long as the tasks are performed at non-overlapping times, or can respond with a refusal for all tasks.

[0074] Then, the vacancy assignment unit 324 assigns the accepted employees to work in accordance with the priority assigned in the recommendation process, consumes the work cancellation points, and cancels the priority work cancellation flag for that day (step S17).

[0075] The recommendation processing unit 325 then learns whether each candidate has agreed to work (step S18). Specifically, the recommendation processing unit 325 calculates the acceptance rate (number of acceptances / number of recommendation notifications) for each worker so that the probability of being able to fill in for absent workers in subsequent recommendation processing is increased, and prioritizes workers with a high acceptance rate when selecting them as candidates. Alternatively, the recommendation processing unit 325 may increase the attendance cancellation points for workers with a relatively high acceptance rate.

[0076] The above is an example of a work shift adjustment sequence. According to the work shift adjustment sequence, the manager can assign a vacant position without adjusting the specific shift slots and the availability of part-time workers.

[0077] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the process for extracting work shifts that require adjustment. The process for extracting work shifts that require adjustment is a process for removing worker attendance from work sites with a surplus of personnel and extracting work sites with a shortage of personnel. The process for extracting work shifts that require adjustment begins in step S14 of the work shift adjustment sequence.

[0078] First, the work balance adjustment unit 323 deletes the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag that was set on the previous day or earlier from the worker data (step S141).

[0079] Then, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 reads out the work (site) of the current day's basic work shift data 314 or adjusted work shift data 315 (step S142). If the current day's adjusted work shift data 315 exists, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 reads out the adjusted work shift data 315 because the adjusted work shift data 315 indicates a more up-to-date status than the basic work shift data 314.

[0080] The work load imbalance adjustment unit 323 then determines whether the site has a surplus of personnel relative to the man-hours (step S143). If the site does not have a surplus of personnel relative to the man-hours ("No" in step S143), the work load imbalance adjustment unit 323 proceeds to step S148, which will be described later. The work load imbalance adjustment unit 323 determines whether there is a surplus of personnel by referring to the man-hours 313g in the task list 313.

[0081] If the site has a surplus of personnel relative to the man-hours (if the answer is "Yes" in step S143), the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 sorts the workers at the site in order of the number of attendance cancellation points, cancels the attendance of surplus personnel in order of the number of points, and creates adjusted work shift data 315 (step S144).

[0082] Then, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 gives one work cancellation point and a priority work cancellation flag for that day to the worker whose work attendance has been canceled (step S145).

[0083] Then, the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 adds the data after the attendance cancellation points have been awarded and the same day's priority attendance cancellation flag to the worker data (step S146).

[0084] The work load imbalance adjustment unit 323 then determines whether all work sites for that day have been processed (step S147). If all work sites for that day have not been processed ("No" in step S147), the work load imbalance adjustment unit 323 returns control to S142. If all work sites for that day have been processed ("Yes" in step S147), the work load imbalance adjustment unit 323 ends the process of extracting work that requires adjustment.

[0085] If the site does not have a surplus of personnel for the man-hours (if "No" in step S143), the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 determines whether the site is short of personnel for the man-hours (step S148). If the site does not have a surplus of personnel for the man-hours (if "No" in step S148), the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 proceeds to step S147, which will be described later. Note that the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 determines whether there is a surplus of personnel by referring to the man-hours 313g in the task list 313.

[0086] If the site is short of manpower relative to the man-hours (if "Yes" in step S148), the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 identifies the work for which there is a shortage of manpower and the required number of workers, and creates adjusted work shift data 315 (step S149).The work imbalance adjustment unit 323 then proceeds to step S147.

[0087] This is an example of the flow of the process for extracting work hours that require adjustment. The process for extracting work hours that require adjustment makes it possible to remove worker attendance from work sites with a surplus of staff and extract work sites with a shortage of staff.

[0088] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the recommendation process. The recommendation process is a process of extracting and notifying workers who have no work to do on the day as candidates for a site with a staff shortage. The recommendation process starts in step S15 of the work shift adjustment sequence.

[0089] First, the recommendation processing unit 325 reads out the work (work site) of the current day's basic work shift data 314 or the adjusted work shift data 315 (step S151). If the current day's adjusted work shift data 315 exists, the recommendation processing unit 325 reads out the adjusted work shift data 315 because the adjusted work shift data 315 indicates a more up-to-date status than the basic work shift data 314.

[0090] The recommendation processing unit 325 then determines whether there is a site that is short of personnel for the man-hours (step S152). If there is no site that is short of personnel for the man-hours ("No" in step S152), the recommendation processing unit 325 ends the recommendation processing. Note that the recommendation processing unit 325 determines whether there is a man-hour surplus by referring to the man-hours 313g in the task list 313.

[0091] If there is a site where there is a shortage of workers for the man-hours (if "Yes" in step S152), the recommendation processing unit 325 extracts workers who have no work to do on that day from among the registered workers (step S153). Specifically, for the work that has a shortage of workers, the recommendation processing unit 325 extracts as candidates workers who are not scheduled to be engaged in any of the work in the work list 313 on the same day as either the start time or the end time.

[0092] The recommendation processing unit 325 then uses the attendance cancellation points and the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag to classify the extracted workers into prioritized notification groups, reflecting the learning results (step S154). The learning results refer to the priority order or attendance cancellation points set in step S18 of the work shift adjustment sequence. The recommendation processing unit 325 assigns a higher priority to candidates with a higher attendance cancellation point. Furthermore, the recommendation processing unit 325 assigns a higher priority to candidates to whom the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag is assigned than to candidates to whom the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag is not assigned. Alternatively, the recommendation processing unit 325 may calculate a predetermined amount of attendance cancellation points higher for candidates to whom the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag is assigned.

[0093] For example, notification groups can be set up as group A, with workers with attendance cancellation points of 3 or more or workers with a priority attendance cancellation flag for that day, group B with workers with attendance cancellation points of 1 to 2 points, and group C with workers with attendance cancellation points of 0 points, with group A being given first priority, group B second, and group C third.

[0094] The recommendation processing unit 325 then sets response time limits for each group in descending order of priority, with time lags between each, and identifies and notifies each worker belonging to the group of recommended tasks (skill match, priority given to tasks near the residence) (step S155). Specifically, the recommendation processing unit 325 sets response time limits of, for example, 25 minutes for each group in descending order of priority, with time lags of, for example, 30 minutes, and notifies the workers. Furthermore, in the recommendation notification process, the recommendation processing unit 325 changes the tasks to be notified for each candidate based on either the skills possessed or the residence, or both. Specifically, the recommendation processing unit 325 excludes tasks that do not match the skills possessed by each candidate from the tasks to be recommended. Furthermore, the recommendation processing unit 325 sorts and notifies the tasks in descending order of proximity to the residence.

[0095] The above is an example of the recommendation process flow. According to the recommendation process, candidates can be asked whether they would like to work on the task in a predetermined order of priority. Therefore, workers whose working days have been reduced can be prioritized as additional personnel candidates, which increases the worker's satisfaction.

[0096] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an attendance acceptance / rejection response screen. The attendance acceptance / rejection response screen 600 is an example of a screen displayed on the worker terminal 100 in step S16 of the work shift adjustment sequence. The attendance acceptance / rejection response screen 600 includes a selection button 610 that allows selection input for each task and a rejection button 620 that accepts input of an intention to reject all tasks. When input is received from the rejection button 620, the button 610 transmits a response to the work management device 300 refusing to attend any of the presented tasks. When input is received from the selection button 610, the button 610 transitions to a details display screen 630 for the corresponding task. The details display screen 630 includes a task detail information display area 640 that includes the task name, task date and time, and a supplemental message, and an accept button 650 that accepts input of an intention to accept attendance. When input is received from the accept button 650, the button 650 transmits a response to the work management device 300 that accepts attendance for the presented tasks.

[0097] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a recommendation notification. In the recommendation notification, tasks are proposed to candidates in order of rank. For example, when notifying workers belonging to group 700, which has the highest priority, of tasks at sites A to D, tasks that do not satisfy the worker's skills are excluded from each worker, and the recommended sites are sorted in order of proximity to the worker's place of residence.

[0098] Then, when any of the workers belonging to the first-priority group 700 accepts the work at "site A," the workers belonging to the second-priority group 710 are notified of the work at sites B to D. In other words, the work at site A is not displayed to the candidates in the second-priority group.

[0099] Then, when any of the workers belonging to the second-priority group 710 accepts the work at "site B" and "site C," the workers belonging to the third-priority group 720 are notified of the work at site D. In other words, the work at sites A to C is not displayed to the candidates in the third-priority group.

[0100] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, the selection of notification groups for recommendation notifications does not take into consideration the compatibility of workers, but this is not limited to this and may take such compatibility into consideration. Specifically, combinations of workers to be avoided may be set in advance, and the notification groups may be corrected in step S154 of the recommendation processing. For example, if a combination of workers to be avoided results in the same notification group, the notification group of one of the workers may be changed to another notification group. This reduces the possibility of workers with poor compatibility running into each other at the same work site, even in the case of an emergency.

[0101] For example, in the above embodiment, the selection of notification groups for recommendation notifications does not take into account the target income of each worker, but this is not limited to the above and may take into account the target income of each worker. Specifically, when dividing notification groups (step S154), or in the process of step S06 in which the actual shifts and the provisionally calculated basic work shifts are totaled to adjust specific tasks so that they are not unevenly distributed among workers, for example, a target monthly income may be set in advance for each worker, and the work imbalance adjustment unit 323 may assign tasks preferentially to workers whose actual income deviates from the target monthly income. In this way, for example, between worker A who has not achieved his monthly income target and worker B who has achieved his monthly income target, it is possible to assign tasks preferentially to worker A, thereby meeting the wishes of the workers.

[0102] The above-described exemplary embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to those including all of the components described herein. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is also possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. Furthermore, some or all of the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in hardware, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. Furthermore, the control lines and information lines in the figures are those considered necessary for explanation, and are not necessarily all shown. It is also possible to consider that almost all of the components are interconnected.

[0103] 1...worker assignment system, 50...network, 100...worker terminal, 120...processing unit, 121...browser unit, 130...display unit, 131...input unit, 140...communication unit, 200...administrator terminal, 300...work management device, 310...memory unit, 311...worker data, 312...work preference data, 313...work list, 314...basic work shift data, 315...adjusted work shift data, 316...actual work shift data, 320...processing unit, 321...work preference reception unit, 322...basic work shift calculation unit, 323...work imbalance adjustment unit, 324...vacancy assignment unit, 325...recommendation processing unit, 340...communication unit.

Claims

1. A work management device comprising: a memory unit for storing a work list including a plurality of tasks each having at least a specified start time and end time, worker data including a plurality of workers who will be engaged in any of the tasks, and work shift data in which the work list is associated with at least one of the workers who are scheduled to be engaged in the tasks; a recommendation processing unit for performing a process of extracting, as candidates for the tasks included in the work shift data for which there is a shortage of workers who are scheduled to be engaged in any of the tasks in the work list on the same day as either the start time or the end time, and a recommendation notification process of inquiring of the candidates as to whether they will be engaged in the task; and a vacancy assignment unit for receiving the results of the inquiry, and performing a process of inclusion in the work shift data of the candidates who have agreed, in association with the workers who are scheduled to be engaged in the task.

2. A work management device as described in claim 1, wherein the worker data includes information identifying the skills possessed by the worker, and the recommendation processing unit, in the recommendation notification process, changes the work to be notified for each candidate in accordance with the possessed skills.

3. A work management device as described in claim 1, wherein the worker data includes information identifying the worker's place of residence, and the recommendation processing unit, in the recommendation notification process, changes the work to be notified for each candidate depending on the worker's place of residence.

4. A work management device as described in claim 1, wherein the tasks in the task list include the required man-hours for the tasks, and the recommendation processing unit, in the process of extracting the candidates, uses the required man-hours to determine whether the task is one for which there is a shortage of workers.

5. A work management device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the recommendation processing unit, in the recommendation notification process, assigns a priority to the candidates and inquires about the acceptance or rejection according to the priority, and the vacancy assignment unit includes the candidates who have accepted according to the priority in the work shift data.

6. A work management device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the recommendation processing unit, in the recommendation notification process, assigns a priority to the candidates and inquires about the acceptance or rejection with a time lag according to the priority, and the vacancy assignment unit includes the accepted candidates in the work shift data according to the order of acceptance.

7. A work management device as described in claim 5 or 6, wherein the worker data includes attendance cancellation points held by the workers, and a work imbalance adjustment unit is provided that, for the tasks included in the work shift data in which the workers scheduled to be engaged in the tasks are surplus to work, cancels the plans of the workers scheduled to be engaged in the tasks who have fewer attendance cancellation points and increases the attendance cancellation points of the workers, and the recommendation processing unit, in the recommendation notification process, gives a higher priority to the candidates with more attendance cancellation points.

8. A work management device as described in claim 7, wherein the worker data includes a same-day priority attendance cancellation flag held by the worker, the work imbalance adjustment unit assigns the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag when increasing the attendance cancellation points of the worker whose scheduled work is canceled, and the recommendation processing unit, in the recommendation notification process, assigns a higher priority to the candidate to whom the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag is assigned than to the candidate to whom the same-day priority attendance cancellation flag is not assigned.

9. A work management device as described in claim 7, characterized in that the work imbalance adjustment unit refers to the work shift data for a specified period, and when a specific task among the tasks is unevenly distributed among the workers, matches the workers engaged in the specific task in the work shift data so as to reduce the imbalance.

10. A work management method using a work management device, the work management device comprising: a memory unit for storing a work list including a plurality of tasks each having at least a specified start time and end time, worker data including a plurality of workers engaged in any of the tasks, and work shift data in which the work list is associated with at least one of the workers scheduled to be engaged in the tasks, and a processing unit, the processing unit carrying out the following steps: for a task included in the work shift data for which there is a shortage of workers scheduled to be engaged in the task, extracting as candidates workers who are not scheduled to be engaged in any of the tasks in the work list on the same day as either the start time or the end time; a recommendation notification step for inquiring the candidates as to whether they will accept the task; and a step of accepting the result of the inquiry, and including the candidates who have accepted in the work shift data in association with the workers scheduled to be engaged in the task.

11. A worker assignment system characterized by receiving a work list including a plurality of tasks each having at least a specified start time and end time, worker data including a plurality of workers who will be engaged in any of the tasks, and work shift data in which the work list is associated with at least one of the workers who are scheduled to be engaged in the tasks, and performing, by a computer, a process of extracting, for a task included in the work shift data for which there is a shortage of workers who are scheduled to be engaged in the tasks, workers who are not scheduled to be engaged in any of the tasks in the work list on the same day as either the start time or the end time, as candidates, a recommendation notification process of inquiring of the candidates as to whether they will engage in the task, and a process of accepting the results of the inquiry, and including the candidates who have agreed as workers who are scheduled to be engaged in the task in the work shift data.

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