Construction Law

Ghosting in the Construction Industry Part 6 featured image

Ghosting in the Construction Industry Part 6

Ghosting incidents have steadily increased over the last decade. This unprofessional act impacts all industries from offices to construction sites. As experienced Naples contractor attorneys, we know that sudden job abandonment remains a serious issue in the construction sector. When workers abruptly remove themselves from projects, this can have a domino effect that results in several legal issues for the contractor that require the attention of a construction attorney.   

In parts one, two, three, four, and five of this article, we covered everything from the psychology of a construction worker that ghosts their employer to how contractors can bolster their recruitment and communication efforts on the jobsite. In this section, we will discuss some final things to consider.

Expenses of Hiring New Workers

When a worker walks off the jobsite, it impacts things beyond just the scope of the project. One overlooked aspect is the expensive process involved in hiring new qualified individuals. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the average cost-per-hire for a new employee exceeds $4,000. Although working with a staffing agency can expedite this process for contractors, there is still time taken out of a contractor’s day that they would prefer to spend working on a project.

Ghosting May Never Go Away

The modern-day outlook on ghosting an employer for an interview for a position is surprisingly perceived as not such a bad thing by many applicants. The same can be said for abruptly resigning from a new position. In fact, one Tokyo-based start-up has consulted over 1,500 individuals looking for a third party to broker their resignation. It’s safe to say that employers of all businesses, especially in construction, need to adapt their business model to account for this concerning trend.

Obtaining a Resignation Letter

When a worker abruptly quits, doesn’t provide any form of notice, and refuses to communicate with you, the chances are that you will not receive a resignation letter from this unprofessional person. Ideally, you want to obtain a resignation letter that confirms in writing that the employee is officially stepping down from their position and the reason why they elected to leave. Further, a former employee may still be in possession of company property or confidential information related to an ongoing project when they quit.

When you consult a Naples contractor lawyer, they can navigate you through the legal process to ensure you are in compliance with labor employment law. For example, the attorney can draft a letter requesting a notice of resignation or that company property and confidential information be returned to the company. There are also many legal issues related to the employment contract, job status of the employee, and the specific nature of the situation in which the employee left that an attorney can evaluate on behalf of an employer.  

If you would like to speak with one of our Naples contractor lawyers, 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.