Episode 542: Improving Warehouse Workforce Retention
This episode of The New Warehouse Podcast features Hisham Khaki, President and Founder of HapiGig and ShiftSwap. Hisham shares his journey from engineering and operations to addressing critical challenges in warehouse workforce retention. He discusses how HapiGig and its evolution, ShiftSwap, were born out of the need for workforce flexibility, particularly in the demanding warehousing sector. The conversation highlights the growing importance of flexibility and recognition in retaining warehouse employees while maintaining operational efficiency.
The Power of Recognition in Warehousing
Hisham’s inspiration for HapiGig began 15 years ago during a Kaizen event in a large warehouse. Reflecting on the impact of recognition, he shared a story about Dennis, a long-time warehouse associate, shedding tears of pride upon receiving a framed certificate. “At that moment, it became crystal clear to me that my professional purpose is to help improve the lives of warehouse workers,” Hisham said. This insight fueled his passion for creating solutions that address workforce challenges, such as high turnover and inflexible schedules while fostering a sense of value and belonging among employees.
Flexibility: The Missing Link for Warehouse Workforce Retention
The need for workforce flexibility was amplified during the pandemic. Hisham noted, “Finding talent is not as hard as it was during the pandemic. But retaining talent is just as hard, if not harder. 77% of 3PLs say their number one struggle right now is attracting, training, and retaining their talent.” Hisham observed that while white-collar jobs adapted to remote and flexible arrangements, hourly warehouse workers were left behind. This gap inspired ShiftSwap. “Pay is still king, but flexibility is now number two,” Hisham noted. ShiftSwap enables associates to trade shifts, pick up extra hours, or post time off requests, all while avoiding the punitive nature of traditional absence systems. This innovation addresses absenteeism—often the number one cause of turnover—and empowers employees to balance personal responsibilities without risking their jobs.
Operational Efficiency Meets Workforce Satisfaction
ShiftSwap offers a seamless platform for managing labor variability, from reducing absenteeism to matching shift availability with demand. Hisham highlighted the platform’s impact: “Our customers see absenteeism drop from 15-20% to under 5% almost immediately.” Additionally, ShiftSwap warehouses report significant reductions in turnover and operational costs, with some eliminating the need for temp agencies altogether. By fostering a culture of flexibility, companies become employers of choice, attracting and retaining talent while improving overall productivity.
Key Takeaways on Workforce Retention
- Recognition Matters: Empowering workers through acknowledgment fosters loyalty and motivation.
- Flexibility Reduces Turnover: ShiftSwap bridges the gap by offering employees adaptable schedules.
- Operational Benefits: Reduced absenteeism, lower turnover, and streamlined costs improve efficiency and morale.
Eliminating Temp Agencies: Many companies have shifted entirely to internal labor management using ShiftSwap.
