HR plays a vital role in the construction industry. Construction HR can encourage productivity in the workforce and ensure quality work for all projects. Here are the responsibilities of HR in construction, and how you can use technologies like the SmartBarrel device to streamline operations.
The responsibilities of human resources in construction
Human resources deals primarily with the recruitment and management of workers, including overseeing payroll, running training programs, and dealing with conflicts among employees.
Recruitment
Since construction projects operate on such a large scale and are often complex, they require professionals with specialized skills. HR is responsible for recruiting the right workers, from putting up job postings, to interviewing, to onboarding.
Training
Training can fill in skill gaps and introduce new workers to the construction firm’s processes and policies. HR must coordinate training to ensure that all professionals are well-prepared to work in the field.
Corresponding with unions
Construction is one of the most unionized industries in the U.S., which makes dealing with construction unions all the more important. HR must communicate with unions regarding benefits and hiring/terminating workers.
Enforcing safety compliance
Safety is a huge factor in construction, as construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. HR is responsible for ensuring that all workers are complying with safety standards to minimize risk, including implementing safety programs.
The benefits of construction HR technology
Construction companies that adopt advanced systems can manage their operations better. Here’s how they serve to benefit from integrating technology into their HR process.
Increased project efficiency
Companies that combine the use of different systems in aspects like human resources, customer relationship management, and construction management can greatly enhance efficiency. It’s also a great way to outperform competitors.
Data collected from platforms and devices can help with managing project timeframes and overhead, allowing you to make better decisions when it comes to allocating labor.
Better training and development
Since the department of human resources in construction is in charge of properly training employees, adopting tools can make this job easier. Some technologies verify that training was actually completed, contributing to the development of workers.
Improved safety at work
Construction workers are exposed to significant dangers compared to other professions due to using heavy machinery. In fact, a Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that workers in the construction industry account for 47.4% of fatal injuries.
Therefore, more meticulous oversight is required to keep all workers safe. HR assistants and managers achieve better results when opting for HR tools like the SmartBarrel device, which offers safety tracking features to enhance safety.
For instance, the right tool can verify that workers are wearing their personal protective equipment. It may also allow access to detailed incident reporting, and document and certification tracking.
Helps with the hiring and payroll process
HR in construction is in charge of hiring and managing new employees, so having a system streamline the process can benefit all involved. Systems should have onboarding features and give you access to workforce figures, such as who is on site, to ensure that new hires are where they need to be.
Look for technologies that also make dealing with time cards easier to assist with payroll management. Having approved time cards saves time and eliminates the need for you to chase down workers.
Helps with time tracking and administering bonuses
Automated time cards mean construction firms will have an accurate depiction of how many hours workers have spent on site, including overtime. Construction human resources managers can then use this data to pay employees by the hour, including bonuses, which are proven to have a big impact on productivity.
Time tracking also assists you by helping you avoid paying staff who aren’t actually on site, saving you money.
Manage safety incidents and regulate disciplinary actions
Incidents that are handled incorrectly can result in litigation, the loss of a valuable employee, and a tarnished reputation. When safety incidents are taken seriously and are handled in the best interests of everyone involved, it can prevent further conflict. Certain tools can assist by allowing for detailed incident reporting.
Devices that facilitate check-ins and check-outs can also allow HR to intervene in cases where employees are consistently late. For example, the SmartBarrel device has round up rules that round up a worker’s check-in time to the nearest 15 minute interval. From there, disciplinary action can be taken to keep workers productive.
The SmartBarrel device: your solution to labor management
Human resources play a crucial role in the construction sector. When construction HR adopts the use of technology, operations can be streamlined and more productive than ever.
Companies like SmartBarrel are taking a huge lead in ensuring operational efficiency and proper management. The SmartBarrel device offers features like cost and productivity tracking and manpower tracking to make human resources management easier.
The plug-and-play device is magnetic and built to withstand the rough conditions of a construction site. It’s LTE-connected and solar-powered, so you don’t have to worry about having power on-site. It’s also weatherproof—use the device even when it’s raining.
The SmartBarrel device is designed to be intuitive to new users, which makes it easy to set up and use immediately. There’s little to no maintenance involved, so you won’t need advanced infrastructure or a separate IT department to manage it. Workers simply check in through a biometric facial verification scan, so it’s headache-free and excuse-free.
HR professionals benefit from easy-to-use safety tracking features, which combine construction site PPE verification, on-site incident tracking, employee onboarding, and message broadcasting capabilities. Get detailed incident reports so your workplace remains worry-free, and get easy access document and certification tracking.
Payroll and timekeeping features give HR professionals access to accurate data, which they can access at any time from anywhere, and valuable insights from time tracking reports.
Want to try out some of the latest technologies in the construction industry? Book a demo with SmartBarrel today!
