MOTIVATING YOUR ROOFING CREW TO WORK HARD
It’s no secret: roofing is hard work. You’re on your feet all day, it requires attention to detail and a lot of different skills, and it’s hot up on a roof on a sunny day. It’s really easy to get exhausted and want to take lots of breaks, or maybe even find a new job. So, how can you keep your crew members happy and working hard despite such a tough job? Well, that’s not an easy job either. But we’ve got some tips and tricks that will hopefully help you motivate and encourage your employees.
Develop Buy-In and a Sense of Ownership
One of the best ways to keep your roof crew motivated and get the most out of your team is to help them buy-in to the company and take ownership of things. Of course, one way to do this is to offer stock compensation or profit sharing at the end of the year. Another option is to give them responsibilities and let them run with it. Let new crew members work on different tasks, and while you can’t just ignore them, don’t look over their shoulder. Help them to see that you trust them and want them to take initiative on things.
Paint a Bigger Picture
Don’t let your team members get caught up in the idea that they’re roofing just to install a roof. They’re helping out the building owner, the kids who go to school there, the taxpayers who pay property taxes, etc. The work roofers do has a big impact and sends a wave of influence through the local community. Don’t let your team forget that they’re providing more than just a roof. They’re providing safety, comfort, peace of mind, and a quality product they can be proud of.
Provide Financial Incentives
If you ever hear someone talk about a company they love and respect, they will almost always make a point to say that the company “takes care of their employees.” This means a multitude of things, including respect, treating others how you want to be treated, good benefits and good compensation. However, a company that doesn’t pay its employees well will likely never be spoken of in this way. It goes without saying then that you should pay your hardest working employees who do the hardest jobs very well. Roofers work hard and they deserve good money for it. Money won’t solve all problems, but it will help keep your team happy and working hard.
Practice Public Recognition
Perhaps a better motivator than money is public recognition. People don’t need to be brought on stage and offered a trophy, but being told they did a good job, worked hard, put in extra effort in front of their peers and superiors can really go a long way. If you have regular meetings (weekly safety meetings, pre-project, etc.), then try and make a point to praise one or two people at these meetings. It doesn’t cost you anything but can make their day and inspire them to work hard.
Conclusion
The folks on the roof are the lifeblood of your organization. Sure, they’re replaceable, anyone is. But it’s expensive to find, hire, and train someone new. Don’t treat your employees as expendable. Treat them as if you care (because hopefully, you do), and they’ll reward your respect with hard work, commitment, and initiative.
