The problem were having is finding staff not keeping them but I wouldn’t want to lose any.
We are always looking to improve our working conditions in general taking the Richard Branson approach of “ look after your staff and they will look after your customers” ( or something similar).
We buy them the best PPE, through a team decision, Protos helmets with SENA, air stream boots, husqvarna Technical extreme trousers.
We give a clear clear progression/pay scales based on the R2 but modified for us so everybody knows when & how to get a pay rise.
A 6 hour on site pricing scheme, for the bulk of our work so less rushing to get home and reduced time pressures.
A basic bonus scheme on larger jobs if the guys want to work over or make up a man day etc and save time on a job we share out the saving between them.
Everyone gets an extra days holiday for every year worked as a loyalty reward.
Everyone gets a paid day off to the Arbshow because we think its important to keep upto date and keep an interest.
Bags of overtime if wanted especially in the winter months some of our guys doubled there wages this month, through call outs and double time etc
Provide training above the needs of the business to help with career progression/pay rise or maintain interest.
Currently looking at a profit share or enhanced pension contribution still discussing with our accountant although both option appear to be quite straight forward.
This has been developed over the years to help make it nice place to work and to stop good guys leaving. I think a sense of ownership is very important regarding breakages and lost time incidents, ( we tend to lose small items of kit on site) peer pressure is far better than management pressure so a profit share is definitely on the cards.
I’m not sure I’d ever reward a subby the same way as employed staff as I think that would send out the wrong message, we just say thank you and pay them straight away, the extra 40% is more than enough in my mind. In principle I don’t like using subcontractors but with the lack of applicants to our vacancies we have little choice. The subbies that are any good either get a job ( on the books ) either with us or someone else or decide to start there own bona fide business. I have offered a PAYE job to the current subby but he seems reluctant to commit.
Fingers crossed no ones thinking of leaving!