TL;DR (2026 update): So-called “just-in-time” retail scheduling that relies on on-call shifts, last-minute cutbacks, or sending people home early is not Lean–it’s cost cutting disguised as efficiency. Real Lean, as practiced by Toyota, is built on Respect for People: stable schedules, predictable work, and paying employees even when demand dips, while using slack time for training and improvement. Jerking workers around may optimize labor costs by the hour, but it undermines trust, quality, and long-term … Continue reading Why “Just-in-Time” Retail Scheduling Is Not Lean