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The core of every industrial business is its blue-collar workers. The workforce makes up companies’ potential in creating goods and providing services. So don’t underestimate the power of blue-collar workers and read how to motivate them for achieving the best results.
Who is a blue-collar worker? A blue-collar worker is a worker who performs physical type work. The work often involves manufacturing, construction, maintenance, mining, and many other types of physical work. Blue-collar workers can be skilled and unskilled. But they both have a shortage in the labour market. Therefore, it creates a necessity in extra efforts in motivating these types of workers.
How to motivate blue-collar workers? As I mentioned before, the motivation of manual labour isn’t an easy task for an employer. But I collected practical tips which can help you to achieve the best result from your workforce.
Monetary rewards system. Not just a competitive salary can help you to motivate workers to work harder but it’s also a very important aspect. To achieve the best results workers should clearly understand how their productivity affects their incomes. The creation of the reward system depends on a type of business and it can be a huge variety of methods. For instance, for best results in the production of goods, or the best quality of work, etc.
Non-monetary benefits.
Sometimes the creation of a monetary rewards system isn’t possible and then it’s better to pay your attention to non-monetary benefits and perks. Even little things can boost the productivity of your workers, like a free coffee and lunch or free delivery to the workplace. If you can allocate more money from your budget you can provide paid vacation trips for the best workers or summer camp for workers’ children.
Develop working conditions. Working conditions and productivity are connected elements. With good working conditions, your workers will show better results. Modern tools and machines are what your blue-collar workers need. And don’t forget about safety. It’s necessary to make the workplace safe.
Set long- and short-term goals.
Goals can help your workers clearly understand what you want from them. Control achievements of goals and give positive recognition to workers who exceed expectations. Be careful your goals must be realistic. If you make unrealistic goals your workers won’t appreciate that and your reputation as an employer will decrease.
Involve in the decision-making process.
Sometimes you should make combined meetings with blue-collar and white-collar workers. That not only helps you to find the right decision but also makes blue-collar workers feel that they are valued.
- Hold regular meetings that include the company’s blue-collar workforce. Encourage the employees to voice their opinions and suggestions on how to improve working conditions, equipment and production processes. Allowing the workers to take part in regular meetings will not only give management valuable insight, it will also promote a higher level of trust and positive involvement for all involved.
- Identify weaknesses in safety standards and production processes. Making sure the employees are supplied with the proper tools and equipment is key to boosting productivity, safety and morale. Disregarding requests for upgraded or adequate equipment and supplies may convey a negative message to the employees, while reducing motivation.
- Perform routine evaluations for each employee. Use the opportunity to praise individual worker achievements and as a private means to address areas of concern.
- Discipline uncooperative or abusive workers immediately and in a consistent manner. Keeping a professional work atmosphere, free from disruptive behavior, will help boost productivity, while reducing negativity.
- Set long- and short-term goals for the employees and departments within the company. Promote friendly competitions between departments and give positive recognition to those that exceed expectations.
- Offer special projects to hardworking and capable individuals. This will give the employees the chance to expand their skill set. Giving the employees a chance to explore other positions or an opportunity to take part in new tasks can be an effective motivator.
- Offer a profit-sharing plan or other equitable compensation that will allow the employees to share in the company’s success. Smaller perks such as making improvements to break areas, vending machines and other worker-centered services may help improve relations.
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