On paper, a generic staff scheduling solution might seem like a budget-friendly choice. It promises flexibility, low upfront costs, and a “one-size-fits-all” approach. But when you look past the surface, the true cost begins to show—and it’s not as cheap as it seems.

It looks Cheaper – But Costs More

Generic schedulers often require manual workarounds or other software to satisfy your unique scheduling environment. The extra hours staff spend every week on making sure shifts are covered is time that could be spent on higher-value tasks. Every hour spent on work your generic scheduler can’t handle is time lost time that could be used for programming, mentoring, or simply making life easier for your schedulers and employees.

The Toll on Employee Morale

When schedulers can’t rely on their software to handle all the routine, repetitive tasks—like shift board automation, credential checks, or work assignments—job satisfaction takes a hit. Instead of focusing on the parts of the job that require judgment and leadership, they’re stuck managing tedious details the system should be handling. And it’s not just the schedulers who feel the strain staff are affected as well for the very same reasons and it sends a message that they’re not fully supported. You want your team to feel valued and respected.  They’re professionals doing a difficult job so why settle for a scheduler that wasn’t made to make their job easier?

Lack of Industry-Specific Features

Recreation departments, municipalities, cities and public service organizations have unique needs. Whether it’s managing lifeguard credentials, setting up shift-based work assignments, or integrating with union rules these features don’t come standard in a generic platform. Without them, you’re left to piece together a solution that was never really built for you.

The Bottom Line

A generic scheduler might check the box on paper, but it rarely delivers in practice. The result? More work, more risk, and a system that holds your team back.

With RecStaff, you get a scheduling solution built specifically for your industry—automated, efficient, and designed to reduce friction from day one. Don’t settle for “good enough.” Invest in a system that saves time, supports your team, and grows with you.