Improving Retention Through Earlier Roster Scheduling
Providing younger staff with more shift notice reduces turnover without increasing wage costs.
1Declining Hours in Hourly-Work
Australia’s hourly-work economy contracted for two consecutive months through September 2026. Total hours worked in healthcare, hospitality, retail, and services fell 1.3% in September, following a 2.7% decline in August. These sectors currently average only 63 to 67 hours per employee monthly, significantly below the standard full-time workload of 164 hours.
2Rise of Poly-Employment Trends
As primary job hours shrink, more Australians are seeking secondary employment to cover financial shortfalls. Currently, 6.9% of employed Australians hold multiple jobs, with workers aged 20 to 24 being the most likely demographic to do so. This trend highlights the increasing necessity for workers to coordinate multiple complex shift rosters.
3Shift Notice Improvements Recorded
Despite the contraction in hours, average shift notice periods have improved significantly throughout the year. Workers received an average of 8.5 days’ notice in September, marking the highest level recorded in 2026. This is a notable increase from the 5.7 days of average notice provided to employees back in January.
4Widening Generational Notice Gap
The improvement in scheduling certainty is not distributed equally across all age groups. Baby Boomers received 11.3 days’ notice on average, while Gen Z workers received only 7.9 days. This 3.4-day gap has widened from 2.6 days in August, leaving younger staff with less time to manage their multiple job commitments.
5Industry Variations in Scheduling
Notice periods vary sharply depending on the specific sector of employment. Healthcare workers currently receive the most stability with 14.3 days of notice on average. Conversely, hospitality workers face the most uncertainty, receiving only 6.7 days of notice, while retail and services sectors provide 9.8 and 8.5 days respectively for their staff.
6Consequences for Younger Staff
CFO Emma Seymour emphasizes that the generational gap in notice periods carries real consequences for younger workers. Because Gen Z staff are most likely to juggle multiple jobs with minimal financial buffers, advance notice is essential for their survival. It allows them to coordinate complex rosters and effectively manage their weekly income.
7Mixed Signals in Hiring
The final quarter presents a mixed picture across industries. Retail recorded its strongest hiring month of the year with a 9.4% increase in new staff, likely preparing for Christmas trading. However, these new hires are being offered fewer average hours, while healthcare saw a 43.1% rise in terminations alongside increased turnover.
8Operational Lever for Retention
For business owners facing cost pressures, finalizing rosters earlier serves as a low-cost lever to improve retention. By providing greater certainty to younger staff who manage multiple jobs, companies can support their workforce without increasing the total wage bill. This practical adjustment is a simple, effective strategy for maintaining operational stability.
Original article: Dynamic Business — Improving Retention Through Earlier Roster Scheduling