Resource

Stable Scheduling Increases Productivity and Sales: The Stable Scheduling Study

Image of two young women working in clothing store.

"In the first randomized controlled experiment of a multi-component intervention designed to shift schedules in hourly retail jobs toward greater stability, the Stable Scheduling Study found that increasing the stability of work schedules is possible and even profitable in today’s competitive retail environment.

"Contrary to the widely held assumption that schedule instability for employees is an inevitable outcome of the volatile retail business, this study demonstrates that giving employees more stability is not only possible, but it can increase sales and labor productivity, and offer a high return on investment.

"The Stable Scheduling Study reflects a partnership between an interdisciplinary team that includes Joan C. Williams of the Center for WorkLife Law at University of California, Hastings College of the Law; Susan Lambert of the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration; and Saravanan Kesavan of the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School; and the Gap, Inc."

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