Mother nature dictates the schedule of construction sites, so what should one do when she decides if it’s time to throw a tornado into the mix? When bad weather poses a safety risk on outdoor job sites, take advantage of the extra time to train and engage the team.
Make Time for Education
When an employee feels that they are learning and continuing to gain valuable skills and experience, it gives them a reason to continue at a company for the long haul. Keeping workers up to date on the best practices and providing them with additional education isn’t only beneficial for the employees, it benefits you as an employer. Poor weather is the ideal time to push further education into the mix.
Invest in Additional Training
Having employees that are up to date on the best practices, current regulations and the newest technologies is also a huge benefit to the employer because they can feel confident that their workers are not only well equipped to handle any situation, but can trust them to follow all regulations on site.
Training your employees doesn’t have to be a complex process either. Invest in a cloud-based software where your workers can use their mobile phones to complete a course. They don’t need any type of special equipment or even a laptop to complete the training. Staying compliant with the OFCCP and keeping up with certifications is as easy as unlocking their mobile device.
Engage Your Employees
Employees who feel they are valued and gaining valuable resources will stay put.
Retention, especially of top talent, is vital in growing a strong, profitable business. Hiring a new employee is far more expensive than retaining current talent, so every effort should be expanded into retention. Culturally, keeping members of your team that embody the values and goals of your company is vital in maintaining the strong company culture that you have built.
When all the training is complete, move on to encouraging retention and boosting morale. Use the weather delay to challenge workers to work together on a different type of activity. Take a vote on a fun project to do as a team or volunteer with a community organization.
Engaged employees who have work to do, even if its training or a team building project, won’t seek other employment. Keep them busy during weather delays; it is valuable time for the growth and sustainability of your business.
