Mid-Land Blog
5 Tips for Improving JobSite Morale
Life on the jobsite is tough. No matter what your role is, if your days are spent doing construction, you know one thing is true – building is hard work.
The early mornings and late nights, the long days in the blistering heat or frigid cold, and the volatile nature of the job are just a few of the struggles that come with working in the industry. But for those of us who don’t mind getting their hands a little dirty and putting in the work it takes to get the job done right, the process is very rewarding. Because at the end of the day, working in construction isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle.
But in order for workers to embrace the lifestyle, however, you need more than just the satisfaction of a job well done in order to motivate them – you need to make sure they are happy. Yes, work is work, but to get the best out of your crew, you need to make sure that their work-life is positive and morale is high.
So, take a look at our top five tips for improving your crew’s happiness and building yourself a solid foundation for job site morale.
1. Equipment Is Everything
It goes without saying, no matter what job you’re working on, you need the right tools to do the job. Not having the necessary or appropriate tools needed to complete every part of a project isn’t an oversight, it’s a complete failure in management.
Supplying your crew with the tools they need is a must, but by supplying them with quality tools you make their lives easier and show them that you are making an effort to make their lives better. So, don’t be cheap. By investing in better quality tools now, you save yourself and your team a lot of time and frustration in the long run.
2. Assuring Safety
Every construction company talks about safety, but is talking about it enough?
Probably not. Most workers are more concerned with meeting their foreman’s expectations than abiding by OSHA regulations. Therefore, make sure that it is the management staff’s top priority to maintain best safety practices. No one wants to get hurt at work. Keep your employees safe and you’ll keep them happy.
3. Clear Communication
Communication is the key to any relationship. Why would it be any different with your workers? In order for your crew to maintain a high morale, they need to know what’s expected of them.
Make sure instructions are stated clearly and are understood by every crew member on your team. Also, keep the line of communication going two ways. By letting your employees know that they can ask questions without being reprimanded, you not only improve the team morale, you increase safety and assure that the job gets done the right way.
4. Give Recognition
Jobsites aren’t known for being very chummy. Maybe it comes with the territory or maybe it’s just been bred into the culture. Either way, when you’re on the jobsite, you’re probably not going to get a lot of “atta-boys.”
But we believe that a little appreciation goes a long way. If an employee goes out of their way to do something positive, take the time to go out of your way and commend them for it. This type of positive reinforcement is key in not only boosting but maintaining strong employee morale.
5. Advancement Opportunities
No one likes to feel stuck. Especially when they feel like their value extends past the boundary that they are stuck behind. As employees grow and gain more knowledge, make a point to reevaluate them and their roles. If someone has gained a lot of experience, consider promoting them. If they learn a new skill, try them out in a new position.
By not offering your team advancement opporunities in the company you’re failing to give them something to work for. Alternatively, by offering them the proper opportunities, you increase morale, and the most eager employees will work to outperform others and earn the job.
Life on the jobsite is tough. So if you want the job done right, you need to make your team feel valuable. You need to know how to improve employee morale. That’s the bottom line. We hope that these 5 tips offer you insight and provide you with guidance the next time you’re on the jobsite with you team.