View Full November PDF Issue - Utility Contractor Magazine

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Ready to Work Keeping Employees Satisfied and Productive on the Job Despite a Struggling Economy By Pam Kleineke Long-term commitment from employees is a great indicator of satisfaction on the job. Here, Forsberg Construction Inc.’s 25-plus Club poses for a photo. These men have dedicated 25 or more years to the company. It’s no secret that the last few years have been tough ones for the construction industry. With the unemployment rate climbing and the amount of available jobs dwindling, it’s been particularly stressful for companies to maintain a healthy bottom line, as well as retain an experienced crew. For those employers lucky enough to avoid making cuts to their workforce, now is the time where it’s essential to keep everyone in the loop and feeling secure about their place within the company. “Existing staff is working harder than ever and many are taking on additional workloads due to reduced staff and trying to improve output,” explains Ryan Schmitt, President of Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors Inc. “It is more important than ever to keep your staff informed and motivated by strong leadership and a clear strategy.” Communication is key when reassuring employees about the economy and how they’ll be able to keep their livelihoods in tact. Staying truthful about company operations is essential during a time when others in the industry may be struggling. “Employees want to know the truth about what their company is doing in its attempts to find work and keep its employees busy,” says Bruce Wendorf, President of Forsberg Construction Inc. “They want to know the realities of how hard this economy is making it to stay in business. They want to know that the business is doing everything it can to survive, just as the employees are doing everything they can to help the company survive. Open and honest dialogue is extremely valuable when times are uncertain. Where there is truth, there’s hope.” Schmitt adds, “In this economy, employees want to be informed about the status of the company and they want to hear a strategy on how the company will move forward. Times are tough, and benefits and/or salaries may have to be cut, but employees can respect that if leaders are candid, truthful and fair. However, employees also want to be part of the plan that will get the company through this tough economy. If there is any time for an owner to be fully engaged day-in and day-out with their company, it’s now.” Aside from enjoying open communication, employees are simply grateful for staying on the job — with the unemployment rate currently hovering around 13 percent in the construction industry. With so many hard-working construction professionals out of jobs, there’s an even greater appreciation for keeping busy in the field. 16 Utility Contractor | November 2011
“The guarantee of future employment on the current backlog of work is the best incentive as bonuses have dried up due to over-competitiveness in the market,” says Wendorf. “Employees have never been so appreciative of a job as a result of this sluggish economy.” And the appreciation goes both ways. Employers are working to make their crews feel like a top priority and are encouraging them to stay productive despite the gloomy economic forecast. Although companies may not be able to show gratitude with extra cash, a good pat on the back is certainly one effective way of making up for it. “While monetary resources for rewards are scarce, it is very important to recognize good performance through alternative methods,” says Schmitt. “Verbal recognition by company leaders plays a vital role in keeping hard-working crewmembers.” Although verbal praise is a helpful way to make employees feel good about their job performance, it also works to reinforce behavior that’s expected on the job. When other workers see and hear a fellow employee doing a job well, they may be encouraged to do the same. “We provide our field supervisors with weekly job cost feedback,” says Schmitt. “We want them to take ownership for their production and safety performance. The data they receive shows when they have met production goals and if so, how it has affected that particular cost code. This data — coupled with supervisors recognizing when good performers have done well — goes a long way to incent our front line managers. We also train and give feedback for effective job organization methods. We informally recognize good performers throughout the year, and at the end of the year, we have formal awards that recognize team members in the area of safety and all around performance.” Communication is key. Training for Success For companies that are able to add to their crews at this time, training is a vital step when bringing in a new worker. It’s especially important to strengthen their experience with the proper training for the jobs they’re expected to take on. This is where having seasoned employees comes in handy to show a newbie the ropes. “Underground utility work is oftentimes very unique and non-repetitive,” says Wendorf. “This makes training particularly important as it relates to the details of a job, but the training must come from someone with the experience to understand the end result and how best to achieve that result safely and cost effectively. Maintaining a well trained crew is the result of maintaining experienced leadership in the field.” For more information go to www.utilitycontractoronline.com/info November 2011 | Utility Contractor 17
Page 2 and 3: For more information go to www.util
Page 4 and 5: NOVEMBER 2011 Contents November 201
Page 6 and 7: nuca CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Repeal, R
Page 8 and 9: groundbreaking news Common Ground A
Page 10 and 11: groundbreaking news Construction Ma
Page 12 and 13: The 2012 Utility Construction Outlo
Page 14 and 15: economic growth and job creation re
Page 18 and 19: With a new employee, training is ty
Page 20 and 21: Map Quest Choosing a Utility Locato
Page 22 and 23: Computer Grade Excavation Seven Sim
Page 24 and 25: The Right Choice Every day, contrac
Page 26 and 27: An Argument for Air Air-Vacuum Exca
Page 28 and 29: Inside Washington New Water Legisla
Page 30 and 31: N safety management The Safety Comm
Page 32 and 33: nuca news Diving into the Issues NU
Page 40 and 41: industry calendar December 2011 1
Page 42 and 43: Advertisers’ index American Shori
Page 44: For more information go to www.util

View Full November PDF Issue - Utility Contractor Magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?