Deputy Scheduling: Reviewing Your All-in-One Workforce Solution

When it comes to managing employee schedules, businesses need tools that are efficient, user-friendly, and adaptable to meet changing needs. Deputy scheduling solution is designed to simplify workforce management with features like automated scheduling, time tracking, and compliance support. With its customizable options, mobile accessibility, and integrations, Deputy software is ideal for industries with dynamic staffing requirements, such as retail, healthcare, and hospitality. Our review covers Deputy’s main features, usability, and pricing, helping you decide if it’s the right fit to optimize your team’s scheduling and streamline operations.

Overview of Deputy

Deputy is a robust, cloud-based platform designed to streamline workforce management with features specifically tailored for shift scheduling, time tracking, task management, and team communication.

Developed by Deputechnologies, Deputy positions itself as a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to reduce administrative burden and enhance productivity. 

The Deputy app scheduling tools are intuitive and highly customizable, allowing managers to create shifts based on employee availability, demand forecasts, and labor cost controls. With drag-and-drop scheduling and quick access to shift overviews, the platform simplifies the task of organizing and adjusting employee schedules. Forecasting and budgeting features enable managers to project labor needs and optimize schedules to stay within budget, a crucial aspect for businesses managing variable staffing needs.

For time tracking, Deputy offers options like facial recognition clock-ins, GPS tracking, and geofencing, which ensure attendance accuracy and compliance with labor laws. Real-time timesheet management and automatic wage calculations also facilitate payroll accuracy, and seamless integration with third-party payroll providers simplifies the entire Deputy payroll process.

Deputy also promotes effective team communication and collaboration through a centralized newsfeed, allowing managers to post updates, shift changes, and other announcements. This communication hub helps keep all team members informed and engaged. At the same time, the self-service functionality allows employees to access their schedules, request time off, and swap shifts directly through the Deputy mobile app or web portal.

However, Deputy does have certain limitations. Some users report issues with GPS tracking, particularly in large or multi-location operations, and the mobile app’s functionality can vary depending on the device, particularly for Android users.

Overall, Deputy remains well-regarded for its ease of setup, high user satisfaction, and practical solutions for businesses aiming to enhance operational efficiency. Check out our full review to see if Deputy has what you need to run a smoother, more efficient operation!

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Deputy Key Features

Time tracking and time clock

Deputy offers an intuitive time tracking and time clock system designed to streamline employee attendance management. This feature enables businesses to maintain accurate timesheets, improve payroll accuracy, and ensure compliance with labor laws—all through a user-friendly app.

With Deputy time tracking feature, employees can easily clock in and out using their mobile devices or on-site tablets, generating accurate digital timesheets that allow businesses to track hours worked seamlessly. To ensure accuracy, Deputy provides options for verification, such as GPS location stamps or facial recognition, which help maintain accountability within teams.

Managing timesheets is made easier as managers can approve them individually or in bulk, significantly reducing administrative overhead. Once approved, exporting these timesheets to payroll software is just a tap away, allowing for efficient payroll processing.

The real-time attendance feature keeps managers informed about who is on shift, who is running late, and who is on break, aiding in dynamic staffing management. Additionally, Deputy’s timesheet software automates wage calculations based on local labor laws and individual employment contracts, accommodating different pay rates for various roles.

To enhance employee well-being, Deputy allows businesses to schedule and monitor meal and rest breaks, automatically flagging any missed breaks for proactive management. Furthermore, the Deputy time clock app includes wellness checks to ensure employee health and safety before shifts begin. If an employee exhibits symptoms of illness, they are automatically prevented from clocking in, protecting the workplace from potential health risks.

Overall, Deputy enhances payroll accuracy and contributes to a healthier and more compliant work environment. This allows businesses to operate efficiently while ensuring employee satisfaction and legal compliance.

Scheduling

Deputy’s scheduling capabilities are designed to simplify the complex task of managing staff across various roles and locations. The intuitive interface allows managers to create schedules quickly, filling shifts based on employee availability, qualifications, and cost considerations. With the ability to share schedules instantly via desktop or mobile, teams remain informed of their shifts and any changes. Should an employee call out sick, Deputy makes it easy to find qualified replacements without making phone calls or sending texts. Additionally, employees can swap shifts with eligible team members, enhancing flexibility and reducing the chances of being short-staffed.

One of Deputy’s standout features is its AI-powered auto-scheduling tool. This feature allows managers to generate optimized schedules with a single click, taking into account labor demand forecasts. By reducing unnecessary wage costs and ensuring that the right staff are scheduled at the right times, auto-scheduling helps businesses operate more efficiently while maximizing productivity.

Deputy’s scheduling tool helps businesses efficiently manage shifts by automating scheduling and offering flexible shift-swapping options. AI-powered auto-scheduling optimizes shifts based on demand forecasts, reducing costs and keeping employees informed in real time through mobile updates.

Labor demand forecasting

Deputy’s labor demand forecasting tools enable businesses to create optimal schedules that adapt to changing workforce needs and minimize labor costs. By leveraging advanced analytics and data insights, organizations can streamline scheduling processes and improve operational efficiency.

• Efficiently reduce labor costs: With Deputy’s smart scheduling tools, businesses can identify and implement strategies that lower labor costs while ensuring optimal staff coverage. This feature allows for more precise control over labor expenses, helping businesses operate within budget constraints.

• Schedule coverage optimization: Deputy’s platform provides real-time data visualization, allowing managers to compare forecasted demand with actual performance metrics. This insight ensures that the right employees are scheduled at the right times, enhancing productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Identifying key trends: The software surfaces important insights regarding labor percentages and demand trends. Managers can view business performance on a day-to-day basis or over specified periods, enabling informed decision-making that aligns staffing levels with business needs.
• Centralized business insights: Deputy’s Business Insights Dashboard consolidates all critical data in one location, providing an overview of key trends and performance metrics. This centralized approach empowers managers to make data-driven improvements to their scheduling practices.

• Cost control through budgeting: Deputy facilitates effective budget management by allowing users to set hour and wage targets for scheduling. The platform features real-time variance tracking, which helps maintain compliance with financial goals and encourages proactive scheduling adjustments.
• Custom labor models: Take the guesswork out of scheduling with Deputy’s custom demand-based rules. This feature allows businesses to create tailored schedules that meet specific operational needs while ensuring that minimum coverage is always achieved.

By utilizing Deputy’s labor demand forecasting capabilities, organizations can enhance their scheduling efficiency, control costs, and adapt to changing workforce needs with ease.

Labor law compliance

As your business grows, managing compliance with wage and hour laws becomes crucial. Deputy for employees simplifies this process, allowing you to streamline compliance and focus on your core operations.

• Meal and rest breaks: Many states have strict regulations for meal and rest breaks. Deputy helps employers schedule breaks correctly, flag missed breaks, and record any agreements from employees regarding waived breaks. This ensures compliance and minimizes the risk of penalties.
• Fair workweek: With fair workweek laws emerging in cities like Los Angeles (more on California labor laws here) and New York, Deputy assists in managing these requirements by providing advance schedule notices and tracking any necessary premium pay for late changes. This fosters fair and equitable scheduling for your team.

• FLSA compliance: Deputy ensures compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by flagging overtime hours and helping identify staff to cover shifts without incurring overtime pay. It also supports adherence to child labor laws by implementing scheduling guardrails for employees under 18.
• Premium pay tracking: The software’s pay rule library flags hours that qualify for premium pay, simplifying compliance with state-specific regulations, such as California’s split shift premiums.
• Leave law compliance: Deputy features a leave engine that allows businesses to set up leave rules easily, ensuring that employees receive their entitled leave without confusion.
• Workplace safety: To comply with OSHA standards, Deputy helps employers publish safety alerts and confirm staff review of safety policies, creating a safer work environment.
• Pay rate management: The Pay Rate Builder tool allows businesses to automate allowances and adjust payment rates according to labor laws. Customizable options ensure compliance tailored to unique business needs.

Deputy aids in compliance management, helping protect your business from fines while fostering trust and fairness among employees.

PTO management

Managing paid time off (PTO) and employee leave is streamlined with Deputy, making it easier for both managers and staff.

• Set up PTO entitlements: Create customized leave types, balances, and accrual rates with just a few clicks. Automate calculations to minimize administrative work.
• Request on the go: Employees can track their leave balances and request time off directly through the app, simplifying the process without unnecessary back-and-forth communication.
• Track and approve: Stay informed about leave balances and requests through alerts for low balances. View booked time off to avoid scheduling conflicts and approve requests seamlessly from any device.

• Central dashboard: Manage all leave from a single dashboard, giving you a clear overview of different leave types, remaining balances, requests, and booked time off. Deputy flags low balances to prevent surprises.
• Employee availability: Prevent scheduling errors by viewing staff availability. Automatically block time off requests for key dates to ensure sufficient coverage.
• Find replacements easily: If an employee is absent, find replacements with one tap. Deputy provides real-time attendance tracking, making it easy to cover shifts without the hassle of phone calls or texts.

Deputy simplifies leave management by automating PTO balance tracking and requests, reducing manual work for managers and employees. It prevents scheduling conflicts by giving managers visibility into availability and integrating seamlessly with payroll systems for accurate data.

Integrations

Deputy seamlessly integrates with various payroll, point of sale, and HR systems, streamlining your operations and saving time. By connecting your existing systems with Deputy, you can access insights and manage your workforce more effectively from a single platform.

Key integration categories

• Payroll: Connect with providers like ADP, Gusto, Paychex, and QuickBooks to automate payroll processes and reduce data entry errors.
• Point of Sale: Integrate with your POS systems to synchronize sales data, improving scheduling accuracy based on real-time demand.
• Human Resources: Use integrations with HR platforms like HiBob and Rippling to sync employee information and streamline onboarding.
• Others: Deputy supports various other tools, including Wagepoint for payroll and Wagestream for financial health management.

Notable integrations

• ADP: Leading provider of payroll solutions.
• Gusto: Modern payroll service that simplifies tax filings.
• QuickBooks: Major accounting software to manage finances efficiently.
• Xero: Easy-to-use accounting and payroll software for timesheet management.

With these integrations, Deputy helps you enhance workforce management, improve compliance, and optimize scheduling based on accurate data.

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Deputy Pricing

Deputy offers flexible pricing plans to suit various business needs. Here are the current options available:

Plan	Price	Description
Scheduling	$3.50 per user per month	This plan focuses on employee scheduling, allowing managers to create and manage shifts efficiently.
Time and Attendance	$3.50 per user per month	This plan provides comprehensive time tracking and attendance management features.
Premium	$4.90 per user per month	This plan includes advanced features suitable for businesses looking for more robust solutions.
Enterprise	Customized pricing	This option is tailored for larger organizations that require personalized solutions and additional support.

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Pros and Cons of Deputy

✅ Pros

• 🌟 User-friendly interface: Deputy’s intuitive design makes it easy for both managers and employees to navigate, reducing the learning curve.
• 📱 Mobile accessibility: The mobile app allows employees to manage schedules, request time off, and clock in/out from anywhere, enhancing flexibility.
• ⏱️ Comprehensive time tracking: The platform provides accurate timesheets and automated calculations, improving payroll accuracy and compliance with labor laws.
• 🔗 Integration capabilities: Deputy seamlessly connects with various payroll and HR systems, streamlining administrative processes and reducing errors.
• ⚡ Real-time updates: Managers can track attendance and find replacements quickly, ensuring optimal staffing levels and minimizing disruptions.

❌ Cons

• 💰 Cost: For small businesses, the per-user pricing can add up, especially with multiple features being billed separately.
• 📊 Limited reporting features: Some users report that the reporting options are not as robust as those offered by competitors, which may hinder data analysis.
• ⚠️ Occasional technical issues: Users have experienced glitches or slow loading times within the app, which can impact usability during critical operations.
• 📚 Learning curve for advanced features: While basic functions are easy to use, some users find that mastering advanced features can take time.

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Deputy User Feedback and Ratings

User feedback

• “It’s a really complete solution that handles all the requirements for a business like us. The scheduling is very complete and the control of the employee’s timesheets is awesome.” (Simon G., Data Analyst, GetApp)
• “I enjoy the ease of inputting employees into the system and the ease of placing employees into shifts. It’s quite easy to use and its functionality is great throughout all levels of use.” (Adam G., Founder/President, GetApp)
• “Very useful for small business operations with flexible features and accurate updates. Customizing locations for events could be smoother, but overall, it’s well worth it.” (Vlad Z., Operations Manager, Capterra)
• “Many glitches when it comes to connecting with RUN or scheduling, but the biggest problem is the inefficiency of the sales team.” (Maher M., Owner, GetApp)
• “As a team, we find ourselves frustrated with Deputy on the daily.” (Jessica M., Corporate Office Director, GetApp)
• “Deputy streamlines rostering and payroll tasks with an easy-to-use interface and lots of features. It’s a great option if you can handle the cost, but be aware it might run slower on older devices.” (Howard Q., Operations Manager, Capterra)
• “The product messed up our payroll month after month.” (Dale T., CEO, GetApp)

Ratings

• GetApp: 4.6/5
• Capterra: 4.6/5
• G2: 8.4/10
• TrustRadius: 8.4/10
• Play Store: 4.6/5
• PC Magazine: 4.5/5
• Software Advice: 4.5/5

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Conclusion on Deputy

Deputy stands out as a versatile scheduling and workforce management solution. It appeals to various businesses due to its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface. Many users praise its ease of use, particularly in scheduling and time tracking, highlighting its efficiency for daily operations. For example, users appreciate the mobile app’s functionality, which allows for seamless shift management and real-time updates.

However, feedback indicates some challenges, particularly regarding customer support and occasional glitches, which can hinder user experience. While some reviews emphasize excellent customer service, others point to significant frustrations, particularly in communication and support responsiveness.

Overall, Deputy maintains strong ratings across various platforms, including a 4.6/5 on both GetApp and Capterra, indicating general satisfaction among users. For businesses seeking a reliable scheduling tool, Deputy presents a solid option, though potential users should weigh the pros and cons based on their specific needs.

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Deputy vs. Shifts by Everhour

Comparing Deputy and Shifts by Everhour

Both tools offer robust features for employee scheduling and time tracking, but they cater to different needs and preferences.

Key features

• Deputy is known for its comprehensive scheduling capabilities, allowing managers to create and adjust schedules easily. It offers time tracking, payroll integration, and reporting features. Users appreciate its mobile app for enhanced accessibility and real-time updates.
• Shifts by Everhour serves as an all-in-one solution for employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. It emphasizes quick and reliable schedule management, allowing users to plan and share work schedules in minutes. The tool also facilitates easy time tracking, management of labor costs, and payroll streamlining. Additionally, it simplifies time-off requests and fosters teamwork by letting employees manage their availability and communicate directly through the app.

User experience

• Deputy is praised for its user-friendly interface, although some users report frustrations with customer support and occasional app glitches. The mobile app functionality is a significant draw, helping users manage shifts and track time on the go.
• Shifts by Everhour is praised for its ease of use and intuitive design, integrating well with other project management tools. While it may not offer the same depth of scheduling features as Deputy, its strong project tracking capabilities make it a better choice for teams focused on completing specific tasks and managing project budgets.

Pricing

• Deputy pricing starts at $3.50 per user per month, with a premium plan at $4.90 per user per month.
• Shifts by Everhour is free, making it an attractive option for teams looking to manage schedules without incurring additional costs.

In summary, Deputy scheduling is well-suited for businesses seeking a comprehensive workforce management tool with robust scheduling and time-tracking capabilities. In contrast, Shifts by Everhour excels in environments where task management and project budgets are critical. The choice between the two will largely depend on the specific needs of the business—whether they prioritize deep scheduling features or seamless integration with project management functionalities.

If you’re looking for a seamless way to improve shift planning, Shifts by Everhour is the perfect solution. With features like real-time monitoring, easy scheduling, and mobile accessibility, managing your workforce has never been simpler.