Company culture is a big deal, so much so that it can be a game-changer when it comes to recruiting workers – and that’s good for construction.
One of the biggest problems the construction industry has today is not having enough workers. It’s a problem that’s affecting many small businesses, which includes 63% of home builders and two out of three specialty trade contractors. According to the NFIB Research Center, small businesses continue to raise wages to keep employees and fill historically high levels of open positions. Twenty-three percent said that labor quality was their top business problem, up one point from March and remaining in second place behind inflation. So how does company culture provide the solution?
Why Company Culture Matters
Company culture is a set of shared values and beliefs about appropriate and inappropriate behavior for an organization and its employees. A company’s culture includes its mission and values plus relationships between leaders and employees as well as employee acknowledgment, professional development and aesthetics like dress codes and perks programs, according to Indeed. The culture at your company keeps your employees invested and engaged while projecting a positive company image.
Your Culture Brings Candidates to your Door
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That saying is especially true when it comes to recruiting candidates. Presenting a company culture that’s appealing to new hires can give you an edge when filling positions. According to Jobvite, Job Seeker Nation, 59% of job seekers research companies’ websites, social media, and reviews to gain insight into their employer brand and culture. So if your website is sparse or non-existent or your social media is lacking, a candidate might move on to a company that isn’t.
According to a study by Glassdoor, 56% of workers in the United States say a strong workplace culture is more important than salary, and three in four workers say they’d consider a company’s culture before applying for a job. Showcasing your company culture in your recruiting materials, on your social media platforms and on your website will help draw the right candidates to your business.
And Culture Helps Workers Stay
New hire company culture not only brings workers in – but it helps get them to stay. According to CNBC, nearly 33% of employees in the US are considering quitting their jobs, while 25% have actually resigned over the past six months, citing “toxic company culture” as their No. 1 reason for leaving. So how do you know if your company culture is toxic? Having a high turnover rate is one clue. Changing or even building your company culture needs to be a team effort – your current employees should have a say. When you get your employees on board, they’ll not only stick around but refer their friends to join them.
Build a Great Company Culture
Your employees can be your best champions for your company culture and recruiting efforts.
Ask for regular feedback and listen to your employees. Good company culture requires open communication. Use feedback tools like surveys or third parties to help facilitate conversations and company culture interviews. But that’s only one part of the equation. You must follow through on suggestions whenever possible to help your employees feel heard.
Encourage training for career advancement. Having a culture of training shows your employees you’re invested not only in them but also in the company itself. Educational opportunities help to build a more skilled workforce, which will draw in new talent who also know the value of gaining new skills. In fact, due to the pandemic, more workers are willing to reskill for new jobs.
Appreciate your employees. A company that’s focused on recognition will automatically have a robust culture. Recognition can include a simple “thank you” or something more substantial like compensation. This includes:
- Cash bonuses
- Gift cards
- Lunch with the boss
- Hosting a barbecue onsite
- Giving them an extra hour on a Friday
- Put worker spotlights on your website
HR is in the position to help a company make a culture that speaks to new construction hires. Recruiting processes land on HR’s shoulders, as well as some training. From cloud-based ATS and onboarding software to learning management systems, Arcoro’s solutions provide HR departments the tools they need to promote company culture in every step of the talent management process and beyond.
Contact our team to see how our solutions work or ask questions about how Arcoro can be your bridge to better HR. 
