1. Improving Morale in Construction Luke M. Snell Director, Concrete Industry Management Del E Webb School of Construction Arizona State University Tempe, Arizona

2. Why can construction have morale problems?

3. 1. Work is physical Lifting Carrying Moving heavy material (concrete, steel)

4. 2. Work is detailed Forms inspected Equipment in exact places Concrete placed, cured and finished to exact standards Care in not damaging other work

5. 3. Work is dependent on time constraints When concrete is delivered - limited time to unload, get into forms and finished Must be done in sequence regardless of weather

6. 4. Work is dependent on weather May not work in bad weather No work/No pay If continue working - fighting weather

7. 5. Work is dependent on safety issues - General Workers prone to mental lapses Accident rate high First 6 months After 10 years

8. 6. Work is dependent on safety issues - Specific Falls Tripping hazards Burns Heavy equipment in use by others

9. 7. Work is repetitive Each day - same activity Little mental challenge

10. 8. Work is “driven” by production and schedules Take little time for management to explain Want muscles/not minds Take risks - stay on schedule/below budget

11. Bonuses typically tied only to schedule/budget Not considered –QA/QC –Safety 8. Work is “driven” by production and schedules

12. What can we, as managers, do? Attitude Communicate Play Celebrate

13. Attitude We choose attitude and direction of the company Safety vs. Production Empowerment vs. Fixed Roles Friendly vs. Who Cares Customer’s Concerns vs. Fixed Procedures

14. Communicate Participants or Audience?

15. What can we do to communicate? Stop taking calls when talking to a person Incorporate others’ ideas whenever possible - give credit to others Delegate work with authority and accountability

16. True Team Meetings Discuss issues related to project Have agenda and focus Keep short What can we do to communicate?

17. Play Encourage a relaxed, safe work environment Foster team success - improve camaraderie Potlucks Donuts Picnics

18. Celebrate Reward good efforts - share company successes Dinners Books Hats, coats, etc. Time off Tickets to sporting events

19. Case Study I Survey of superintendents in a construction industry - 80% said: They would not tell project manager about an improved way of doing job No one has listened to their concerns in the past Just do what they are told to do

20. When Asked Why Not: They stated that they are the workers NOT the managers!

21. Case Study II Company had tricky formwork problem. President of the company (an engineer) called the field and office people together The president told the field and office people of the problem The president admitted he needed help

22. Later, a superintendent, (past carpenter foreman) showed the president a model (built at home, on his own time), that solved the problem.

23. Why did it work?

24. Which company would you want to work for?