Key strategies to build Blue-Collar workforce engagement

Surprisingly, very few are talking about improving engagement among blue collar employees. This deserves equal (if not more) attention. That’s because this segment of the workforce forms the backbone for the future success of many companies. Moreover, it is this segment that has been braving infection risks to ensure business continuity, whether at factories, construction sites, driving cabs, or making deliveries.

So, let’s take a step further than simply ensuring they wear masks and take a renewed look at blue collar workforce engagement.

Make Them Feel Appreciated

This does not require huge budget approvals or even a great deal of effort. If you have effective communication channels already in place, even little things can make a big difference in making blue collar workers feel valued.

• Proper onboarding procedures can make blue collar employees feel visible. In fact, studies show that 69% employees are more likely to remain for 3+ years with a company that offers a good onboarding experience.
• Send a Thank You image on WhatsApp on behalf of the company.
• Sending out reminders to wash their hands before eating can be an expression that you care about their well-being.
• Give them clear instructions of their roles and tasks. Most blue collar workers feel much lower anxiety when they have clearly defined tasks.
• Make them aware of how their responsibilities fit into the bigger picture, so that they feel a part of the company growth story.
• Allow some days of leave with pay.

Build Trust

Employees who have high trust in the companies and management teams feel less stress, have lower burnout and higher retention.

• On time salary disbursals, transparency in payment calculations, and UTR (unique transaction reference) confirmations can build trust and confidence among blue collar employees.
• Provide prompt responses to queries related to work schedules.
• Have streamlined processes for leave application.
• Using tools like geofencing, attendance tracking, payroll management, and AI-driven chatbots can provide greater peace of mind and improve the contribution and productivity of your blue collar workforce.

Improve Wellness

Health and wellness have become even more critical after the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020. Thanks to connectivity across the country, companies can identify channels to ensure continuous monitoring of employees and for blue collar workers to indicate the status of their health.

• Create tags for blue collar employees to quickly and easily update their status. Tags could be like covid-19 positive / negative, temperature readings, symptoms, vaccination status, quarantine status, hospitalisation, or comorbidities.
• Set up a process to take action quickly if someone has symptoms or tests positive.
• Create automated alerts if an employee needs urgent attention.
• Improve communication and provide support through WhatsApp or chatbots.
• Get insurance that covers cost of covid-19 treatment.

Taking prompt action can help employees receive medical attention faster and prevent infection from spreading to other team members.

Also, recognise that the work done by blue collar employees can become monotonous and often come with harsh work conditions and odd working hours. This segment of your workforce is more prone to health problems, both mental and physical.

• Train their supervisors to have empathy towards blue collar workers.
• Organise pre-emptive medical check-ups.
• Offer insurance cover, with benefits like cashless hospitalisation, loss of income cover, lab tests included, and term life and accident cover.
• Offer virtual doctor on call facility.

Taking care of the mental and physical well-being of your blue collar workforce can help reduce absenteeism and improve productivity.

Improve Financial Well-Being

Your blue collar employees work for lower wages and are often stressed about their financials.

• Open a proper salary account and contribute to their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) or Employee State Insurance (ESI) schemes.
• Track overtime work and ensure appropriate compensation is provided.
• Offer access to reliable sources of loans and insurance cover.
• Provide instant salary advance facility.
• Help them set up online money transfer to their families.
• Ensure they have access to easy EMI schemes linked to their pay.

Providing financial security can build loyalty and trust among the blue collar workers.

Peer-to-Peer Recognition

Most employees care deeply about how they are perceived by their co-workers. It’s important to them that their achievements are celebrated by their peers. Streamlined employee reward programs help establish a culture of positivity and growth.