The Effects of Task Clarification and Group Graphic Feedback on Early Punch-In Times

Abstract

Task clarification in the form of workplace policy guidelines coupled with weekly graphic feedback of group punch-in times on the staff clock were presented to waitstaff, cooks, cash register clerks, dishwashers, buffet attendants, and hourly assistant managers in a restaurant sub-franchise. Clocking in early dropped from 130 min during baseline to 62 min per week during intervention. A 1-week return to baseline resulted in 189 min of clocking in early by restaurant personnel. The use of task clarification and group feedback reduced company expenses without reductions in job satisfaction or increased stress.

Keywords:

• overtime reduction
• feedback
• restaurants
• job performance
• task clarification

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. Mark P. Reilly for his thoughts and suggestions regarding this report.