It’s always great when a project runs smoothly from start to finish, and this is usually a result of hard-working staff. Staff that are eager to succeed will contribute to the ongoing success and reputation of your company, but finding and retaining them long term is not always easy.

Loyal staff are the lifeblood of your business, and when everyone’s happy you are bound to prosper. In this post, we’ll be sharing our top tips for building a loyal workforce.

Tailor/Streamline your hiring process

We know that hiring can be a time intensive process, and at the end of it all you may not even find the ideal candidate.  If you want to attract eager, motivated staff it is a good idea to go beyond the basics. Try to learn a bit about each applicants’ life, work history and career aspirations. Personality screening is another option to explore, and it will help to determine how they might get along with your team.

If you’d rather outsource the process, we can help. As a leading labour hire agency, we understand the specific character traits of loyal construction staff. You can focus on running your business whilst our team get to work finding experienced, loyal workers that will quickly become valuable assets.

Clearly Defined Career Paths

Every employee expects to grow within their role, and no one wants to be left behind. This often leads to de-motivation and your staff may even start looking for jobs elsewhere.

Invest in the success of your staff by providing access to training courses and clear pathways for promotion to senior roles. This will keep them engaged and performing at their best, and you’ll both get to enjoy a long-term working relationship.

Maintain an Open Line of Communication

Keep your employees informed on the latest developments in your business and how they are performing in their roles. This will help to instil a deeper level of trust and involvement. Employees should also feel free to voice their thoughts whether they be positive or negative, as this will help to create a positive work environment for all.

Ask for Feedback

Check in with your team on a regular basis. It’s a good idea to ask questions about how they are enjoying their work, anything they might change, recent client feedback and more. Team meetings are a great way to get closer to your team and discover any potential issues, which can be seen to before they get out of control. It’s also a good idea to check in with each employee on an individual basis, as you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of how they feel about their role.

Lead by Example

As a business owner or manager, your actions speak louder than words. Always strive to set a positive example for your team by keeping a level head, following all safety protocols and treating every team member with kindness and respect.

Trust and respect are key to positive long-term work relationships and team loyalty.

Upskill

It is important to keep up to date with industry regulations and developments, and by providing your team with access to ongoing training programs you will be investing in the success of your business. Your workers will pick up valuable skills, certificates and experience which will enable them to work on more complex tasks and operate more efficiently. This will also show that you value their loyalty, making this a win-win situation for all.

TAFE NSW provide a wide range of building/trades courses. Why not see if your team might be interested?

Reward and Recognise Achievements

Many hands make light work. Reward your team for a job well done by taking them out for lunch, offering a bonus, pay rises, social events or extra annual leave to keep morale high. You might also consider establishing an employee of the month program.

Give them a Challenge

Routine is boring. Most of your employees joined your company because they were excited for a challenge, and if you fail to deliver they will feel disengaged and unmotivated. No one likes to be stuck doing the same thing day in, day out. Try to spread the workload around and vary the roles. You can also consider giving some staff new responsibilities, and this will help to show that you believe in their ability.

Positive word of mouth can be great for business. By following the above tips, you will be able to attract and retain skilled construction staff long term. As always, Brix can assist you in sourcing high quality candidates. Please get in touch with our team if you would like any assistance.