No matter the size or scope of the project, your construction workers are your company’s most valuable asset. Losing skilled workers can significantly impact your business’s productivity, morale and bottom line. Creating a fulfilling and supportive construction environment will help prevent employee turnover.
If you’re unsure how to retain construction workers to build project success and business sustainability, check out this guide with helpful tips and advice.
Challenges of Low Construction Worker Retention
Retaining workers in the construction industry can be a challenge — but one that any construction business must overcome. While the job outlook is expected to grow, many construction businesses face high turnover rates for various reasons, including unfair compensation and a lack of career advancement opportunities.
The impact of high turnover rates can be significant. In addition to dealing with interrupted project timelines and shifting team dynamics, your business will face the increased cost of hiring and training new workers for the roles.
Importance of Retention in Construction
Implementing a few construction retention strategies can help you take advantage of several benefits:
- Cost savings: High turnover has a negative financial impact on construction companies. Hiring new workers is more costly than supporting and retaining the ones you currently have.
- Improved productivity: A reliable team of experienced workers can increase productivity. When your employees consistently show up and complete projects, your business can deliver reliable project timelines and completion estimates.
- Enhanced safety: A consistent team can also lead to better safety practices and reduced accidents on-site. Instead of having to train new hires on the necessary safety practices and procedures, experienced workers will already have the training and experience to get the job done right.
- Stronger team cohesion: A stable workforce can help your business build strong, effective teams. People who work well together make collaboration, goal-setting and achievement much easier.
6 Tips on Improving Employee Retention in Construction
While every business faces unique challenges when it comes to retaining construction workers, you can try several strategies to mitigate them.
Here are six ways you can create a more positive, engaging environment that your employees want to stay in.
1. Create Competitive Compensation and Benefits Packages
One of the biggest factors in retaining construction workers is whether your company offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Workers want to be fairly compensated for what they are worth. Because factors like high inflation or a competitive talent market can influence industry standards, staying updated on what competitors offer their employees is crucial. You want to ensure your compensation strategy is on par with theirs — or better.
While the salary is important, you also want to have an attractive benefits package. While traditional benefits like health and disability insurance and paid time off appeal to many, consider other benefits, such as flexible working arrangements or mental health services.
2. Offer Career Development Opportunities
Career development opportunities like training programs and apprenticeships will help employees further develop their skills. Your workers want to know that growth opportunities are available that will allow them to advance in their roles.
You can also create a more supportive work environment by pairing new workers with experienced employees. Especially during the onboarding stage, mentorship programs can help new hires fit into their new role and get used to the jobsite and company culture more quickly. A mentor can answer any questions and ensure the new hire understands the policies and procedures.
3. Foster a Positive Work Environment
Especially in the construction industry, fostering a positive work environment can go a long way in boosting construction worker satisfaction. Construction workers will face daily challenges and dangers on the site. Encouraging open communication and feedback between management and workers will help keep everyone safe and on the same page.
Similarly, a positive work environment can improve employees’ attitudes about coming to work each day. A culture of respect and support makes workers feel valued and secure in their roles.
4. Provide Work-Life Balance Initiatives
While having productive, high-performing employees is key to your business’s success, your company should also acknowledge that workers want to achieve a good work-life balance in construction. By offering initiatives like flexible scheduling options and time-off policies, your construction company demonstrates that you care and respect your team’s life outside the workplace.
Offering mental health support and stress management resources shows you care and that your team can rely on you to support them with the tools and support they need to handle challenges in a healthier way.
5. Create Recognition and Rewards Programs
Creating a recognition and rewards program is one of the best ways to boost motivation and encourage professional development. As your team acquires new skills and techniques, you can celebrate their wins and encourage them to do their best.
Whatever their position in the company, employees want to know their hard work and efforts matter and make a difference. Recognizing employee contributions and achievements will help them feel more connected to the company and positively impact morale.
6. Safety and Wellness Programs
Because construction workers have an increased risk of accidents and injuries, it’s important to prioritize worker safety through training and support. Your entire team needs to understand how to keep themselves and others safe while on the site.
Along with comprehensive health insurance plans, consider providing your workers with wellness programs focusing on physical and mental health. Supporting your team’s health and wellness shows them you care about them as individuals — not just what they can do for the company.
Connect With Alta Construction for Your Contracting Needs
If you want to improve employee retention and satisfaction, Alta Construction is your go-to for all your contracting needs. As a full-service construction firm, we are committed to using cutting-edge technology and incorporating communication, transparency and partnership into our services to meet client needs.
Whether you’re working on a commercial or retail construction project, we offer start-to-finish services to support your team every step of the way. From securing building permits to sticking to your project schedule, you’ll have access to a trusted source in the industry to help you navigate the construction process.
To learn more about how our general contracting and constructing services can support your team and business, reach out today by filling out our contact form.