What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Square for Scheduling and Communication?

[BVC1]

Hey hey! anyone out there have positive or negative thoughts on using this service with square? we are considering switching our scheduling/communication over to square but want to kick the tires on functionality and pricing before we pull the trigger. We appreciate the conversation...

The title of this thread has been edited from the original by a Community Moderator to help with searching threads. 

[Donnie-M]

@BVC1 First let me shoot a few questions:  What is the number 1 thing you need from a scheduler?  

Do multiple people work on your schedule?

Do you need to be able to have employees request days off for you to approve?

Do you need to be able to print a copy?

Do you have multiple jobs? or pay rates?

Do you want to update people on schedule changes?

If any of those is Yes, well the scheduler does those things great already.  The basics are great.   Employee puts in availability, you schedule, you can have a template, you can print it, employees can get it through the teams app.  They can request off or shift trade if you do that.

It isn't as robust as the stand alone modules for everything, but it is baked right into the ecosystem which makes it easier to use.

[RobynR]

Hey @BVC1, Welcome to the Community!

It's great to hear you're considering Square for scheduling and communication. Many sellers find it super convenient since it integrates directly with payments and other Square tools, but experiences can vary depending on your business needs.

Thank you, @Donnie-M for the additional clarifying questions. 

In the meantime, here are also some articles to learn more about our Staff Management Software and Employee Scheduling.

[Summer2024 · Accepted solution]

Hi @BVC1 ! Going to provide some insights here as well. 

Square Payroll Pros

1. Integration Benefits

   • Seamlessly connects with Square POS
   • Time cards automatically sync
   • Tips automatically imported
   • Commission tracking integrated

2. Employee Features

   • Employee self-service portal
   • Digital onboarding
   • Mobile app access
   • Automatic W-2 filing

3. Employer Features

   • Automatic tax calculations
   • Direct deposit included
   • Multiple pay rate options
   • Automatic tax filings
   • Workers' comp integration

Cost Structure

• $35/month base fee
• $6/per paid person/month for employees
• $6/per person paid/month for contractors
• No hidden fees or year-end charges

Communication Tools

• Team messaging
• Shift swapping
• Availability management
• Schedule posting and notifications

Scheduling Integration

• Visual calendar interface
• Drag-and-drop scheduling
• Time-off request management
• Labor cost forecasting

Potential Limitations

1. Consider Your Needs If You:

   • Need complex benefits administration
   • Have multi-state employees
   • Require advanced HR features
   • Need extensive PTO tracking

2. Learning Curve

   • Initial setup takes time
   • Team training required
   • New system adaptation period

I hope this helps!

[WoodCandleCo]

Its been a while since I used the scheduler and communication but, these were my favorites:

• Scheduling: We used the scheduling when it first came out. There was definitely a learning curve. But, being able to tie in with labor cost reporting, one system to log in, one app for staff to download.
• Communication: It was super, super nice to have. My role was mostly off-site so I wasn't able to easily grab employee's phone numbers if I needed to call/text. We also used the communication to highlight staff successes. Being able to see who did and didn't see an announcement is also very handy.

Good luck! 🙂