The key to an engaged workforce is maintaining a positive work culture. Motivation and engagement play a critical role in this aspect, and it’s no wonder these are all the rage among HR teams these days.
Coming up with creative ways to engage the workforce has become a skill of sorts, with HR professionals increasingly relying on employee feedback and HR trends for suggestions.
Creating a Motivated Workforce
A motivated workforce is certain to perform better than an unmotivated one. However, this matter is traditionally being interpreted differently by HR professionals.
That’s because personalization is the key element of the process, and people are different. Add to that the fact that hybrid work models are changing team dynamics in multiple ways, and you’ll realize why this matter is more complicated than it may appear at first.
To be efficient, motivation efforts should be rooted in important HR trends and build on best practices conjured by employee feedback.
Mastering Integration of New Hires
One extremely important process that starts with onboarding training is the integration of new hires with the company culture. In other words, new hires need to understand the bigger picture as that will enable them to find their place early on.
Perhaps even more important is to foster a sense of belonging. This can be done in various ways, with top HR ideas including heartfelt welcome notes, mentoring, networking, and team-building activities.
Brainstorming Skill Development Strategies
Training and skill development are central to success. Ongoing training and continual learning are two of the perks new hires cherish the most, so it’s upon HR teams to provide them with exactly that.
With the rise of new tech, continual learning has become affordable and easily accessible, so make use of this benefit. Consider training for role-specific skills, soft skills, and tech.
HR teams are in charge of ensuring that employees have access to company tools but they should also make sure they know how to use them. If the company is deploying specific software, training employees on how to use it seamlessly also falls under the HR teams’ roles.
Injury Prevention
Plans for construction safety should be rooted in the regulations enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), starting with the following:
- OSHA’s Construction Standards (29 CFR 1926)
Subpart C – General Safety and Health Provisions
Subpart D – Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
Subpart E – Personal Protective and Life Saving EquipmentSubpart L – Scaffolds
- Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M)
Guardrail systems, safety net systems, and personal fall arrest systems
- Electrical Safety (29 CFR 1926 Subpart K)
- Safety requirements for electrical systems and equipment used in construction work
- Cranes and Derricks in Construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC)
- Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1926.59):
Communication of hazards associated with chemicals used on construction sites
- Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1926.103):
- Regulates the use of respiratory protection equipment
- Confined Spaces in Construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA)
- Fire Protection and Prevention (29 CFR 1926 Subpart F)
Focus on Quality Control Processes
Robust quality control processes are a necessity. In addition to ensuring that all construction projects are performed on time and within budget, construction businesses should also develop compliant customer service guidelines.
Quality control should be rooted in protocols that define how to prevent defects and how to identify and rectify potential issues.
Efficient quality control processes should, hence, consider themselves with detailed procedures, responsibilities, and checkpoints for each stage of the project. Regular monitoring and evaluation of performance metrics is a must.
Workforce Safety
Workforce safety is paramount. In addition to providing PPE, businesses should also provide comprehensive training on the topic, where building awareness is the starting point.
Here are some ideas on what to include in your safety training programs:
- Check the ground for spills or objects that you could trip over
- Encourage workers to use tools and equipment safely to prevent injury
- Encourage others to use mechanical assistance to help lift objects
- Take note of the gear and safety measures necessary for target operations
- Keep emergency exits open and unobstructed
- Always use solid ladders (not improvised ladders)
- Before utilizing railings, make sure they are securely fastened by testing them first
- Know where the first aid kits are located
- Know which employees have received first aid training in case of an injury
- Use the necessary signage to identify hazardous materials and areas
Set Up Tight Inspection Protocols
Inspection protocols in the construction industry should be strict and proven. They’re no joke, either, so businesses would do well to consult qualified inspectors.
In addition, businesses should establish protocols for non-destructive testing techniques. These deal with the evaluation of the structural integrity of the site without its disruption. These protocols are reliant on advanced technologies such as ultrasonic testing, ground-penetrating radar, and infrared thermography, meaning they’re not inexpensive.
That’s why it is crucial to develop stellar plans and perform regular quality checks.
Overall, HR teams have much to do and learn, but once established in proven strategies, all these elements become streamlined fast.
