Workload assignment with training, hiring, and firing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03052150802293369

Abstract

The paper discusses a workload allocation model, in which tasks are matched to employees on the basis of a multidimensional skill measure. The main idea is to match positions and tasks to available and potential positions so as to minimize the differences in individuals’ abilities and skill requirements. In addition to allocating existing personnel to positions, it is also possible to fire employees and hire new employees. The objectives of the mixed-integer optimization model include different types of costs and the proximity of an individual’s capabilities to a task’s ability requirements. A number of policies are formulated that allow different combinations of retraining of employees, as well as hiring and firing. These policies are applied to a real-life example, which is solved by means of the constraint method. A variety of sensitivity analyses demonstrate the usefulness of the approach as a decision aid.