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How to Motivate Blue-Collar Employees
According to the website USLegal, blue-collar workers are defined as working-class physical laborers in certain fields, such as skilled tradespeople, factory employees and construction workers. Blue-collar workers are typically waged, while white-collar positions may comprise of salaried office or managerial employees. Although having an effective white-collar support staff and management team is an important facet of any business, a great deal of emphasis should be placed on motivating the core blue-collar driving force of the company. Creating a “pro-worker” atmosphere within the company will boost overall morale, productivity and cooperation, while reducing turnover rates and grievances.
1.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.
2.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.
3.Perform routine evaluations for each employee. Use the opportunity to praise individual worker achievements and as a private means to address areas of concern.
4.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.
5.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.
6.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.
7.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.
How to Improve Productivity in Industrial Relations in an Organization
Industrial relations define the manner in which management interacts with employees to increase overall productivity, reduce workplace conflict and raise staff morale. One school of thought is that an organization has to invest resources to effect changes in the structure of work as well as the way employees are trained, compensated and motivated in order to make the workplace more efficient and constructive. Maintain healthy and strong employee relations by devising strategies that ensure high productivity and employee satisfaction.
Training and Career Development
Investing in training will give you a multi-skilled staff acquainted with how your business as a whole functions. This ensures that teamwork becomes the norm and makes it easier to fill vacancies from within rather than the external labor market. Through training, employees are more likely to identify with your company’s goals, thus reducing potential areas of conflict. Further, take an active role in staff career development to reduce employee turnover. Use annual performance appraisals to ascertain whether workers are meeting industry standards and help develop them so that they attain their career goals.
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