Purpose Statement

The Mandatory Settings feature within the Scheduling Module allows administrators to configure how the system handles mandatory holdovers and forced overtime assignments. This feature ensures fair distribution of mandatory assignments among personnel by tracking ranking systems and defining default work types for those held mandatorily.

Background Information

Mandatory holdovers are a critical component of Fire/EMS staffing management, ensuring minimum staffing levels are maintained when scheduled personnel are unavailable. The Mandatory Settings configuration determines how the system tracks and updates personnel rankings for forced assignments, promoting equitable distribution of overtime and reducing potential grievances. This feature is particularly important for departments with collective bargaining agreements that specify mandatory overtime procedures.

Required Permissions

• Access Scheduling 
• Access Setup

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Step-by-Step Guide
 

Step 1: Access the Scheduling Setup

Navigate to Scheduling Setup from the main menu to access the scheduling configuration options.
 

Step 2: Open Call Shift Rules

Click on Call Shift Rules to view the various shift management configurations available.
 

Step 3: Select Mandatory Settings

Click on Mandatory Settings to access the mandatory holdover configuration options.
 

Step 4: Configure Ranking Options

Select your preferred ranking option:

• Last Date Forced: Updates the user's ranking when they actually work the forced assignment
• Last Date Updated: Updates the ranking at the time of being added to the force list (regardless of whether they work)
• Consecutive Hours: Shows those with the least amount of hours at the top.
   

Step 5: Set Default Work Type

Choose the default work type that will be assigned to individuals who are held mandatorily. This ensures consistent coding for payroll and reporting purposes.
 

Step 6: Save Configuration

Once all settings are configured according to your department's policies, click Save to apply the changes.
 

Best Practices

• Review your department's collective bargaining agreement or mandatory overtime policy before configuring these settings
• Choose the ranking option that best aligns with your department's fairness protocols
• Ensure the default work type matches your payroll system's overtime codes
• Document your chosen settings and the rationale for future reference
• Test the mandatory assignment process after configuration to verify correct ranking updates
• Regularly audit mandatory assignment reports to ensure equitable distribution
• Consider setting up notifications for mandatory assignments to improve transparency

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: What's the difference between "Last Date Forced" and "Last Date Updated"? 

A: "Last Date Forced" only updates rankings when someone actually works the mandatory shift, while "Last Date Updated" updates rankings as soon as they're assigned, even if they don't end up working.

Q: Can I change the ranking option after initial setup? 

A: Yes, but be aware that changing this setting may affect existing rankings and should be done during a ranking reset period.

Q: Why isn't my default work type appearing when creating mandatory assignments? 

A: Verify that the work type is active in your system and that users have the proper permissions to view and assign that work type.