Business owners rarely complain about having too much work. Except when their good roofers are being wooed away by competitors and they can’t find enough qualified people to get the jobs done.

It’s often said that people don’t quit jobs, they quit managers. So if you don’t want to be “that guy”, here are some tips for owners and managers to keep your good roofers on the job.

Recognize them as individuals

• Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Make the most of what you’ve got to work with.
• Set realistic expectations and provide clear feedback on how well they’re achieving goals or where they’re missing the mark.
• Don’t take people for granted or take advantage of them.

Make them part of a team

• Make everyone feel that they belong. Let them know that their contribution to their crew matters.
• Establish reporting structures for project management and accountability.
• Be open to suggestions from your crew about how to make changes or improvements.

Acknowledge their accomplishments

• Recognize and reward actions you want to encourage, such as taking initiative to solve problems or going above and beyond to ensure the job gets done right.
• Provide opportunities for your workers to take on new roles or responsibilities if they’re interested.
• Take time to celebrate the wins, whether they’re large or small.

Provide retention incentives

• Simple things can mean a lot, like bringing water and snacks to the job so your crew feels they’re being taken care of.
• Consider offering performance-based bonuses; these could be for individuals and/or for teams.
• Look at other types of bonuses, such as rewards for roofing crews who get the customer to leave a positive review online or when you get good customer feedback about a project.

Let them know you’ve got their back

• Let your crews know their schedules in advance so they can plan out their work week and feel they’ve got job security.
• Make sure they have the equipment and tools they need to do their job safely and efficiently.
• Share customer feedback, both positive and negative.
• Keep them in the loop about upcoming projects or opportunities. 

It’s a lot of little things that when put together, can make a difference to whether an employee stays or goes. For more tips on keeping your good roofers on the job during the busy summer months, check out this article: Top 5 Team Motivation Tips. 

If you have questions about any of the products we offer, please contact your Gibson sales rep today.