Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What information does a master schedule typically include?

1. A breakdown of employee job descriptions

2. Each employee's personal contact information

3. Daily working hours and vacation days for all employees

4. Client details and service schedules

The correct answer is: Daily working hours and vacation days for all employees

A master schedule is a comprehensive tool used in dietary management to outline the daily operations and employee assignments. It primarily focuses on the day-to-day staffing needs of a facility, thus including daily working hours and vacation days for all employees. This information is crucial for ensuring adequate staffing levels and for planning around employees' absences, which helps maintain the smooth operation of food service and dietary functions. The inclusion of daily working hours allows managers to see at a glance when each staff member is expected to be present, ensuring that meal preparation, serving, and cleaning tasks are covered. Additionally, listing vacation days enables planners to anticipate shortages in staffing and make necessary adjustments to the schedule, such as arranging for temporary coverage or redistributing workloads among remaining staff. While aspects like job descriptions and contact information are important for overall human resource management, they do not specifically fall under the purview of a master schedule in the context of dietary management. Client details and service schedules, while relevant for operational planning, are typically handled through separate documentation designed to track menu planning and service delivery rather than day-to-day staffing logistics.