Why a shift scheduling system matters, and how to run it well with Dawmt
What a shift scheduling system is, the problems with managing shifts by hand, the benefits of doing it electronically, and 6 steps to set it up in Dawmt.
In short
- Electronic shift scheduling reduces errors and makes schedule changes and business continuity easier to manage.
- Build shift schedules around working-hour limits, rest breaks, overtime and Ramadan requirements.
- In Dawmt, add employees, create shift schedules and enable alerts, then track attendance and reports.
Many companies now work in shifts and need to keep work going at different times of the day. Organising shifts is not easy, but shift scheduling systems have made the job much simpler.
In this article you will learn what a shift scheduling system is, the main problems companies face when they manage shifts by hand, and the benefits of a shift scheduling system.
You will also learn the steps for setting one up in Dawmt, and how Dawmt helps you manage shifts and HR administration.
What is a shift scheduling system in Saudi companies?
A shift scheduling system organises work into shifts so that a company can keep working around the clock. There are usually two or three shifts a day, and employees take turns working through the day.
It is used most by companies and workplaces that need work to continue all day, or that operate both at night and in the morning. Work is split across employees in shifts: one employee works from morning until evening for a set number of hours, and another takes over and works from evening until morning for a set number of hours.
The main problems with managing shifts by hand
When a company manages shifts by hand, it runs into several problems, because the work depends entirely on people. These are the main ones:
- Errors
Mistakes creep into tracking employee attendance and timing. They affect how shifts are calculated, and one error leads to others and to inaccurate figures.
- Changes are hard to keep up with
A manual process struggles to keep track of the changes that happen regularly, unlike a shift scheduling system, because people can only track a limited amount of information and cannot pick up every change quickly.
For example, if an employee asks to change their shift, or there is a sudden absence or an emergency, a manual process may not register the change quickly, which causes disruption.
- Heavier workload
A manual process takes a lot of time and effort. It adds to employees' workload and needs many people to follow up, and if there are not enough people, the pressure falls on whoever is on duty.
- Inaccurate reports
A manual process does not produce accurate reports. They may be incomplete or contain errors and need repeated checking, which takes a lot of time.
- Keeping up with changing business needs
Working conditions change, with sudden decisions and new work that has to be handled quickly. A manual process finds it hard to keep up with these changes and meet business needs each time something shifts, whether inside the company or in the market.
Read more: The integrated HR system: a guide to running your company well
The benefits of managing shifts electronically
Digital HR tools give companies several advantages. These are the benefits of managing shifts electronically:
Automation
An electronic shift system gives you full HR automation, so many tasks run automatically without manual work.
More flexibility
Employees have more freedom with an electronic system: they can request permission to be away from work, shift changes or new times through the system easily, without waiting or filling in paper forms to get approval. That gives them more flexibility in how they work with the company.
Accurate data
Electronic systems record data more accurately, whether for employee records or attendance tracking, and that accuracy leads to better decisions.
Easy reporting
Your company can get regular reports at any time, on anything it needs, from the electronic system. That gives it the details of many processes without much time or effort.
Higher productivity
The system helps employees handle shift-related tasks quickly and accurately, with tools that make the work easier, such as clocking in and out, submitting requests electronically, changing schedules and adding data. Employees get more done in less time.
Lower costs
These systems reduce errors and the need for extra operational tools and staff, which saves the company money.
Business continuity
An electronic system keeps work running around the clock, because processes are automated and the system can run 24 hours a day when needed, so the company's work does not stop.
Saving employees' time
Employees need less time to finish their tasks: an integrated system helps them organise and record their work and gives them the data and reports they need, which saves them a great deal of time.
Read more: The best HR software for managing employees and running your company efficiently
What must a shift schedule in Saudi Arabia take into account?
Make sure your shift schedule stays within the limits of the Labour Law:
- Working hours: actual working hours must not exceed 8 hours a day if the company uses the daily standard, or 48 hours a week if it uses the weekly standard, under Article 98 of the Labour Law. In companies that work in rotating shifts, these limits may be exceeded with the ministry's approval, provided the average over three weeks or less does not exceed 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, under Article 100 of the Labour Law.
- Ramadan: working hours for Muslim workers are reduced to no more than 6 hours a day or 36 hours a week, under Article 98 of the Labour Law.
- Rest breaks: an employee must not work more than 5 consecutive hours without a break of at least half an hour for rest, prayer and meals, and must not be at the workplace for more than 12 hours a day, under Article 101 of the Labour Law. Employees are also entitled to a fully paid weekly rest day of at least 24 consecutive hours, under Article 104 of the Labour Law.
- Overtime: each overtime hour is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage, under Article 107 of the Labour Law.
An electronic shift scheduling system helps you apply the rules your company sets and track actual hours, but complying with the Labour Law remains the company's responsibility.
Steps to set up shift scheduling in your company with Dawmt
Dawmt lets you manage all of your company's shifts accurately and professionally. These are the steps for setting up shift scheduling in your company with Dawmt:
- Step 1: Create employee accounts by adding new accounts in Dawmt, and enter the basic data, such as working hours, job, leave and the length of each shift.
- Step 2: Set up shift types, such as morning or evening, and set the number of hours for each shift.
- Step 3: Create the shift schedules, enter the times, assign them to employees and add any exceptions.
- Step 4: Turn on alerts so that you and your employees are notified of updates, emergencies and changes to shifts or times.
- Step 5: Use Dawmt's attendance feature to follow shifts more closely and accurately, by seeing when each employee clocks in and out and whether they keep to their shifts and times.
- Step 6: Build reports in Dawmt to follow up more closely and get analyses that help you make decisions, make changes and improvements, and spot problems, strengths and weaknesses in your company's processes, HR administration and shifts.
How Dawmt handles shift scheduling and HR for companies in Saudi Arabia
Dawmt is a complete HR system with integrated tools that help you manage HR administration accurately: easy clocking in and out in several ways, an easy-to-use interface, employee data and file management, and a range of reports and analyses that help you make decisions and follow up continuously.
Dawmt has a mobile app that lets you follow up from anywhere, at any time.
Sign up for Dawmt to manage HR in your company accurately, professionally and easily.
Sources
This information was reviewed in October 2026. Regulations can change, so check the official source before relying on it.
Frequently asked questions
Why do companies in Saudi Arabia need an effective shift scheduling system?
Companies in Saudi Arabia need a shift scheduling system to manage their shifts accurately and keep work running without interruption. It also helps cut costs and avoid errors in calculations, data and schedules.
How does an electronic system reduce shift errors?
An electronic system makes data entry accurate, runs ongoing checks and uses several techniques to prevent errors in the data that is entered.
How does a shift scheduling system raise a company's productivity?
It raises productivity by automating processes, so many tasks are done without manual work, and by giving staff the data and reports they need to manage. Together these raise productivity.