Loyalty and motivation go hand in hand, and they’re both important pillars of a strong and effective retention strategy. But the methods that work to motivate employees in office cubicles don’t always carry over to hands-on workers on the shop floor or in the warehouse. Industrial workers require a specific approach that’s aligned with their own needs and the demands of their daily contributions. Try these four moves to reduce grumbling and turnover and bring out the best in the industrial branch of your team.
Build Loyalty from the Ground Up
1. Start with your hiring process. When you bring on industrial workers, do you seek candidates who are already trained and already able to command high salaries? If so, you’re paying a premium for this training, and this premium reoccurs and increases year after year. Instead, consider taking on employees with fewer credentials and providing their training in-house. You can also consider partnering with a local tech school or university and have your new candidates trained and educated while you provide them with a low responsibility, limited-term apprenticeship. You’ll save money and invest more in your employees, which they’ll be inclined to reinvest in you.
2. Once your employees are on board, you’ll be better able to cultivate loyalty if you provide them with the things they need and want. So, of course, you’ll have to figure out what these things are. Keep an open door policy between workers, managers and HR, and take an anonymous survey at least once a year asking employees what you can do to improve working conditions and adjust perks, benefits, and policies in their favor.
3. True loyalty comes not just from salary and positive working conditions, it also comes from real human relationships. Train managers and HR pros to identify potential conflict before it becomes unresolvable, and make sure managers perform their jobs in a way that cultivates genuine respect. Remember, the best way to gain respect is to give respect first.
4. Safety and cleanliness go a surprising distance toward increasing productivity and personal commitment. Seemingly inconsequential issues, like stained carpet, peeling paint, or limited warnings posted in high risk areas can have a cascading impact on employee morale. Make sure your industrial workplace is clean and safe, and factor in details like sound, air quality, and natural light.
Above all, you’ll need to recognize the valuable contributions of your industrial workers, and you’ll to provide them with every tool and resource they need to do their jobs properly. For more on what these resources are and how to access them, reach out to the experienced staffing experts at PSU.
