Boosting Work Morale on a Behind Schedule Project Part 3
When a construction project has fallen behind, boosting worker morale is imperative. Improved morale is associated with higher productivity and even reduced accidents.
This is the final part of a three-part article. In Part 1, we covered keeping communication a two-way street and making workers feel valued. Part 2 was about acting quickly and communicating the opportunity for advancement. Today in Part 3, our Sarasota construction attorneys are here to explore how safety affects morale and to discuss the positive effects of bonuses.
Take Safety Seriously
According to Dr. Robert McLellan, medical director of occupational and environmental medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, “Ultimately, the value of a company can be seen as the health of its workforce.”
Safety measures are important in and of themselves, but they are also a key part of boosting worker morale. According to multiple Gallup studies, a worker’s feelings of safety are positively correlated with his or her feelings of happiness.
Provide your employees with the tools they need, from physical items such as ear plugs to resources detailing safety procedures and best practices. You are one of those resources. When you promote a work environment wherein employees feel comfortable asking questions, you can prevent some of the serious incidents that may otherwise occur and necessitate the help of a Sarasota construction attorney.
Give Your Employees Bonuses
A study by Harvard University found that giving bonuses or unconditional financial gifts can help keep up workers’ morale.
As you know, our industry is facing a labor shortage. It’s more important than ever to keep your employees motivated and loyal.
In the construction industry, bonuses often fall into the following three categories:
- Gainsharing: sharing the extra money with workers when they have surpassed a previously established productivity level
- Pay for knowledge: adding extra hourly wages for the new skills a worker obtains
- Tenure bonus: rewarding longtime workers for their dedication to your company
Unconditional bonuses or surprise financial gifts have been proven to boost employee morale. Bonuses that are linked to performance, knowledge, or tenure encourage effectiveness, growth, and loyalty among workers.
When it comes to behind schedule projects, bonuses are more of a preventative measure. Most companies are not inclined to reward work that isn’t going as anticipated. That said, if you are currently behind schedule on a project, rewarding workers who are doing their utmost to remedy the situation or offering a team incentive for meeting the deadline (or minimizing the extra time needed) could be effective.
If you would like to speak with a Sarasota construction lawyer, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.