When the pandemic hit, many industrial companies shut down temporarily or laid off or furloughed a large number of employees. Some stayed open or re-opened quickly while spending money on personal protective equipment, better cleaning and filtering protocols, and even changed processes to allow for social distancing.
But many employees were forced to leave companies for child care reasons, fear of the virus, and a number of other reasons... and many have not returned to their industry.
A trying time for manufacturers
The COVID-19 pandemic is still an issue but, for the most part, work has bounced back to a new "normal". But this is a trying time for industrial companies to recruit and hire the right people.
According to a recent survey:
Companies are beginning to move to a more digital hiring process to attract younger workers or workers farther away. There has been talk of rebranding manufacturing careers and culture to attract millennial talent. And there has been more focus on promoting people within to give a broader career track.
But all of those efforts take time — what can be done now?
Your industrial employees are working more overtime than ever, more hours than ever. Burnout is a likely scenario for many. Your managers are stretched thin. Production quotas are going up as demand increases.
Recruiting workers has been difficult.
Most companies think the answer is raising salaries to attract people back. That has started to make an impact, but it's not "creative" recruiting.
What can you do to be more... creative?
Provide a Benefit every worker needs
For most, salary is the main selling point but what puts most prospective employees over the edge are benefits.
Many companies have nurse hotlines for after injuries occur. They have medical coverage for after injuries happen.
But only a select few have work athletic trainers — just like pro athletes have in the big games — to not only triage an injury but also provide help to prevent injuries and even advice on sleep, nutrition, proper footwear, personalized stretch & flex programs, customized strengthening tips, and more!
This is what other industrial companies are doing now... and it's working. They're taking away your employees.
You're showing prospects that you care. That you provide safety coverage for every worker, shift, and location.
Imagine it — an athletic trainer, just like they had in middle school and high school sports, that provides them with advice to keep soreness from becoming a serious injury down the road. That can let them know if an injury requires a doctor or that they can return to work... without ever leaving the facility!
They won't need to drive to a clinic, pay a co-pay, or wait for days/weeks to see a PT specialist.
They can walk up to an iPad kiosk or use their mobile app in the privacy of their own home to talk to their athletic trainer.
It's a great attractor to your industrial company.
One of our customers told us:
"A couple of candidates that I've hired? I think it was a selling point for them. Really wowed them!"
— Chase H., plant supervisor
Talk to Healthy Roster today about adding a powerful benefit that will help you creatively recruit the best talent. Your new employees will thank you...