In the construction industry, time is money, and accountability is everything. When you hire temporary tradesmen for a job, you’re often relying on them to hit the ground running, deliver high-quality work on schedule, and mesh seamlessly with your existing team. Construction companies can face challenges with temporary tradesmen who lack reliability, productivity, and ownership of their work.
If your business is facing accountability issues with temp trade tradesmen, you’re not alone. With short-term contracts, fluctuating job sites, and varying skill levels, managing accountability can be difficult. However, it’s not an impossible challenge. By implementing clear strategies to boost accountability in your temp construction workforce, you can improve both the quality of the work and your overall project timelines.
Let’s explore how construction companies can foster greater accountability among their temp trade tradesmen.
1. Set Clear Expectations from the Start
One of the most common reasons for accountability issues with temp trade tradesmen is a lack of clarity. Without clear communication from the outset about job roles, deadlines, and quality standards, temp tradesmen in construction may not fully understand what’s expected of them.
Make sure to communicate your expectations right from the start. During the onboarding process, go over the specific tasks, quality benchmarks, timelines, and any safety or regulatory guidelines that are critical to the job. Have these expectations in writing, so your temp tradesmen know exactly what’s required of them. If you work with the right skilled trades staffing company in New England, they’ll typically take care of this step for you.
Use a checklist for your temp tradesmen to confirm their understanding of the project scope and key responsibilities before they begin. This can help avoid miscommunication down the line.
2. Establish a Strong Communication Channel
Inconsistent communication can be a major roadblock to accountability. Without regular check-ins or the opportunity to ask questions, temp tradesmen may feel disconnected from the project or unsure about how their work fits into the bigger picture. This can lead to mistakes, delays, and frustration for everyone involved.
Establish a structured communication plan that includes daily or weekly check-ins to discuss progress, obstacles, and expectations. Whether it’s a quick face-to-face huddle or a digital status update, ensuring consistent communication helps temp tradesmen feel supported and engaged.
Appoint a project lead or foreman to serve as the go-to person for temp tradesmen with questions or concerns. This streamlines communication and ensures there’s someone responsible for providing timely feedback.
3. Implement Accountability Systems and Tracking
Without tracking progress and setting measurable goals, it’s difficult to hold temp tradesmen accountable for their performance. If they are unclear on how their work will be evaluated, they might not put in the effort needed to meet your expectations.
Use project management tools or simple tracking systems to monitor the completion of key tasks. Break down large projects into smaller, measurable milestones that tradesmen can be held accountable for completing on time and to specification.
Implementing a performance tracking system that includes daily progress reports or work logs can help keep everyone on the same page. This makes it easier to identify potential accountability issues early and correct them.
4. Provide Incentives for Accountability
A lack of motivation or incentive is another common issue when working with temp trade tradesmen. Temporary positions often come with a sense of uncertainty, which can lead to a “just get through the job” mentality instead of taking pride in the work being done.
Consider creating an incentive program or adding benefits to reward temp tradesmen who consistently meet or exceed expectations. Whether it’s a bonus for hitting specific milestones or recognition for exceptional work, providing incentives can motivate temp tradesmen to take greater responsibility for their performance.
Tailor incentives to the work culture—acknowledge top performers publicly, or provide small rewards like gift cards or a job extension for tradesmen who show exceptional accountability. For instance, we offer exclusive incentives for nearly every work milestone there is, to encourage quality work overtime. If you’ve worked 2,000 hours at Skilled Trades Partners, you receive a 24oz YETI bottle.
5. Develop a Culture of Ownership
One of the most effective ways to boost accountability is to foster a culture where temp tradesmen feel ownership over their work. When tradesmen are personally invested in the outcome of a project, they are more likely to take their responsibilities seriously and deliver their best work.
Give temp tradesmen a sense of ownership by assigning them important responsibilities that align with their skill set. Encourage them to take initiative when possible and give them the autonomy to make decisions within their scope of work. When they feel trusted and empowered, they’re more likely to hold themselves accountable.
When assigning tasks, explain how their work impacts the overall project. Help them understand that their contributions matter to the success of the team and the company as a whole.
6. Provide Ongoing Training and Support
Even the most skilled temp tradesmen may not be familiar with your specific company standards, equipment, or processes. Without proper onboarding and continuous training, tradesmen can struggle to meet expectations, leading to mistakes and delays that affect the entire project.
Ensure that your temp tradesmen are equipped with the training and resources they need to succeed on the job. This could include safety training, equipment tutorials, or a brief introduction to company-specific procedures. Continuous on-the-job training, whether formal or informal, can go a long way in helping them stay accountable. You can also offer tuition reimbursement or work with a construction staffing company that does.
Pair temp tradesmen with a mentor or experienced tradesperson for the first few days or weeks of their assignment. This provides a support system and helps them get up to speed more quickly.
7. Address Accountability Issues Promptly
If a temp worker is struggling with accountability, it’s important to address the issue early. Waiting until the problem becomes a major disruption can lead to lost time, additional costs, and frustration among your team.
If you notice accountability issues, such as poor performance or missed deadlines, have a direct and respectful conversation with the worker to identify the cause of the issue. Provide constructive feedback and offer solutions or additional support to get them back on track.
Document any performance issues and the steps you take to address them. If the problem persists, you may need to make the difficult decision to replace the worker, but early intervention can prevent bigger issues down the road.
8. Build Strong Relationships with Reliable Staffing Agencies
A reliable temp agency or New England skilled trades staffing agency can make all the difference in ensuring accountability on your projects. If you’re consistently working with a staffing agency like STP that understands your company culture, values, and requirements, you’ll be more likely to find temp tradesmen who are reliable, skilled, and accountable.
Work closely with an agency to outline your expectations for tradesmen and ensure they’re providing candidates who meet those requirements. A professional construction staffing agency like Skilled Trades Partners will screen tradesmen thoroughly and be proactive in addressing any accountability concerns you might have.
Conclusion
With job site deadlines to reach, accountability is non-negotiable. For companies struggling with temp trade tradesmen, creating systems to set clear expectations, track progress, and communicate effectively can make a world of difference. By building a culture of accountability and taking proactive steps to ensure your temp tradesmen are equipped, motivated, and supported, you’ll see improved performance, smoother project execution, and ultimately, greater success.
With the right strategies in place, temp trade tradesmen can become a valuable asset to your team, helping you meet deadlines and deliver exceptional results, no matter the project’s size or scope.
Learn more about Skilled Trades Partners and what we can do for you!