Attract and Retain Skilled Workers by Cultivating a Workplace of Safety from Day One

July 15th, 2024

HR teams within manufacturing have been navigating the ongoing challenges of finding and retaining skilled workers. A survey from the UKG Workforce Institute revealed that despite a healthy growth in demand for manufactured goods and services, 76% of US manufacturers are still struggling to fill critical labor gaps. Not only that, but 2 in 3 (66%) of those US manufacturers say it now takes longer to fill these positions than it did in previous years.

While many companies have begun exploring recruiting strategies, such as partnering with educational institutions to train and source skilled workers early in their career and offering competitive compensation packages to not only attract workers but increase loyalty and satisfaction, promoting a workplace of safety should also be considered a part of their overall hiring and onboarding strategy.

In Sterling’s Hiring Reimagined Industrial Report, 76% of job candidates in the manufacturing space reported that safety in the workplace was either very important or important, ranking higher than workplace flexibility and even pay and benefits. And we can understand why workplace safety is important for candidates: employees are handling sensitive and potentially dangerous equipment as part of their role. In 2021, the manufacturing sector reported 385,100 injury and illness cases to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Manufacturers have the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage of attracting and retaining top skilled workers by promoting a workplace focused on safety Not fostering a workplace built on trust and safety as part of the hiring process can be the difference between someone wanting to work with you or another competitor.

Below covers 3 ways US manufacturers can foster and promote workplace safety in order to find skilled workers and close critical labor gaps.

Build a Workplace of Safety by Starting with a Thorough Background Check

Creating a safe working environment starts well before an individual is hired. as the first line of defense in promoting workplace safety. With over ¾ of job candidates in the manufacturing space valuing workplace safety, it’s essential for manufacturers to validate upfront that candidates possess the qualifications, skills, and training to perform their job safely and effectively. These bonafides all can be verified by conducting a thorough background check.

A manufacturing-focused background check solution including services such as criminal background checks, pre-employment verifications, and drug and health screenings, among others, are fundamental in enabling workplace safety. Background checks tailored to the manufacturing industry can also reveal a candidate’s past incidents or infractions which could pose a risk to workplace safety. These concerning factors could include a history of workplace accidents, substance abuse, or criminal offenses. Fortunately, learning this information can empower manufacturing companies to make better-informed decisions about prospective employees, reducing potential risk before they can become safety liabilities. By conducting a thorough background check for these sensitive roles, manufacturing companies can show candidates their commitment to safety.

Protect Workers While Adhering to Regulatory Requirements

HR teams have the responsibility of staying on top of new and changing laws and regulations to ensure their organization maintains compliance. As a highly regulated industry, manufacturers need to follow the regulations and standards laid out in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as additional state and local laws.

Not only can a robust background check program verify the qualifications and skills of workers, but they can also help companies comply with regulatory compliance at every stage of the hiring process, from verifying licenses and certifications to adhering to safety protocols. This can reassure both candidates and current employees that no stone is being left unturned when it comes to adhering to regulatory requirements.

One area where manufacturers can benefit from staying in the know on the latest regulatory requirements is for hiring contractors. Hiring contractors allows manufacturing companies to adapt to changing demands and market conditions while also being cost-effective. While not full-time employees, contract workers still require the qualifications and skills needed to safely complete projects. A background check program that can accommodate contract workers can further maintain and protect both employees and the company, further emphasizing the organization’s focus on prioritizing safety first in the workplace. 

Reduce Employee Turnover with an Effective Onboarding Process

Promoting workplace safety shouldn’t stop upon hiring someone. In the same UKG Workforce Institute survey, 3 in 5 manufacturing HR leaders have reported an increase in employee turnover (62%) and unfilled jobs (57%) over the prior year. Not only that, but most HR leaders say $20,000 to $40,000 is the average cost to replace a skilled frontline employee.

An effective onboarding process can help establish employee loyalty early into their new job, as well as reduce employee turnover. In a recent Sterling report, ‘HR’s Guide to Onboarding,’ 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for at least three years after having had a great onboarding experience. Not only do the benefits impact employee well-being, it can impact legal compliance, workforce productivity, and operational costs too.

Manufacturing companies should develop a thorough onboarding plan that offers clear expectations from the employee and sets the stage for success. By having an onboarding plan that includes a reliable background check, safety training and orientations, and a roadmap on what the new hire can expect during their first 30, 60, and 90 days, manufacturing companies can create an environment deeply rooted in safety.

Sustaining a Commitment to Safety

Trust and safety are the essential building blocks for productive job sites. Not only are they key to preserving corporate culture and protecting employees, but they are also critical in attracting qualified skilled workers who are more likely to stay at the company. By vetting candidates thoroughly, ensuring regulatory adherence, and enhancing the onboarding process, HR leaders can put themselves in a better position of closing the skills gap.

About the Author 

Val Poltorak is the Head of Sterling’s US Regulated Industries group, where she holds strategic and operational responsibility in working with Manufacturing, Transportation, Construction, Energy, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Government, Education, and Nonprofit practice areas of the business. Val joined Sterling in 2017 and previously held the position of General Manager of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Practice Area.

Prior to Sterling, Val was the Global Head of Client Success and Chief Operating Officer at Bloomberg LP. She has extensive experience in client success, SaaS technology, and product management. Val holds a BS degree from Stony Brook University and a master’s degree in finance from Rutgers Business School. 

This originally appeared on https://www.manufacturing.net/safety/blog/22913920/attract-and-retain-workers-through-a-focus-on-safety.

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