Staff Scheduling Tools: Deputy vs. When I Work vs. Homebase

Last week, we held a Technology Meetup focused on staff scheduling tools. Here are the pros and cons of each, according to bookseller guest speakers:

Deputy

Pros

• Available via desktop interface and mobile app
• Offers a limited free version with 100 shifts/month
• Flexible for all different kinds of shift work
• Allows employees to easily fill out and edit their timesheets for both scheduled and unscheduled shifts, input availability, request time off, and clock in/out
• Offers full views of coverage over the course of the week and how much coverage costs your business

Cons

• Can be glitchy in Safari

When I Work

Pros

• Available via desktop interface and mobile app
• Allows employers to set up employees with information such as their pay rate, employee ID, photo
• Positions and shift times can be customized to accommodate employees, volunteers, full-time and part-time work
• The service has a time clock function where employees can punch in and out via the app
• Auditing and approving timesheets is simple, and employees can put in leave requests via the app
• Includes a team messaging feature

Cons

• No free version; free trial only
• Requires a minimum of three administrators

Homebase

Pros

• Offers a free basic version
• Available via desktop interface and mobile app
• Can integrate with different payroll systems
• Employees can set their own availability and request time off via the app
• Building a schedule is quick and easy, and the schedule builder also notes how much you’re spending on each shift
• The schedule builder also notates approved time off for employees
• Employees can clock in and out via the app; the ability to clock in can be restricted by location

Cons

• Lack of WiFi or data (such as at pop-up events) makes it impossible for employees to punch in
• If using the service for team communication, there’s a limited number of shift notes included in the free version

Logged-in booksellers can view a recording of the session on the Education Resources page on BookWeb.org.