Shift Preference and Fairness Maximization in Nursery Teacher Shift Scheduling

This study addresses the shift-scheduling problem for nursery teachers. We propose two integer programming models: the shift preference maximization model and shift preference and fairness maximization model. The primary aim is to develop a scheduling framework that not only accommodates individual shift preferences but also upholds fairness, while adhering to stringent constraints regarding labor and facility resources. A key contribution of this research is the introduction of a method to quantify the degree of preference using integer values. The shift preference and fairness maximization model is designed to generate schedules that respect the shift preferences of full-time nursery teachers, considering both the intensity of their preferences and the fairness of these preferences among nursery teachers. A numerical analysis reveals that the proposed models significantly enhance the overall satisfaction levels among nursery teachers, outperforming previous schedules in both short-term and long-term scenarios. In addition, this study elucidates the correlation between the satisfaction of full-time nursery teachers and the associated costs of hiring part-time nursery teachers.