Why an Effective Onboarding Process Matters in Construction
An effective onboarding process plays a major role in keeping construction projects on schedule. When new construction workers arrive at a job site without clear expectations, proper paperwork, or safety guidance, productivity can drop quickly. For construction managers already juggling tight timelines and multiple responsibilities, a weak employee onboarding process can lead to delays, safety issues, and higher turnover. Taking the time to onboard workers, the right way helps new hires get up to speed faster and keeps projects moving forward.
The Real Cost of Poor Onboarding for Construction Workers
Why should construction managers even consider having an onboarding process? When a project has new workers on site who aren’t adequately prepared to take on the work, it can lead to serious delays. When workers don’t know what is expected of them on site, it can take them a while to get up to speed. This loss in productivity, especially in the beginning, can risk a project falling behind. According to SHRM, employees who are effectively onboarded are 50% more productive than those who are not. Ineffective or nonexistent onboarding processes can lead to high turnover because workers don’t know what’s expected of them on the job. One in three new hires leave within the first 90 days, and 38% of workers quit within their first year. Having to find and recruit new workers while working on a large construction project makes the work even more challenging. Aside from unclear job expectations, new workers unfamiliar with a company’s safety procedures are more prone to accidents. 36% of all workplace accidents and illnesses involved workers who had been employed for less than a year, according to a 2024 OSHA report.
Common Onboarding Challenges Construction Managers Face
As important as an effective onboarding process is for new hires, creating one for construction workers in particular poses challenges. Those challenges include:
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A lack of a central location to conduct onboarding
Working on multiple projects at different job sites is the nature of the construction industry. For small- to medium-sized businesses, having a single central office location where a manager spends most of their time isn’t common. Managers in white-collar industries can easily establish a central location to conduct all formal onboarding training for new workers as they arrive. In construction, these new workers report directly to the job site and may work on different sites on different days. It can be difficult to onboard them when multiple locations are involved in construction projects.
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Keeping up with ever-changing safety updates and changes to regulations
Construction managers of small to medium-sized construction firms often wear multiple hats. They are not only busy recruiting workers but also supervising them and bidding on new business. Their busy days make it challenging to keep up with new safety laws and government regulations, let alone ensure their new workers are informed during onboarding.
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Handling all the paperwork
An effective onboarding process isn’t just about training new workers. It’s also making sure that they’ve completed all the necessary new-hire paperwork. Background checks, health insurance, workers’ compensation, and payroll documents must be handled correctly before workers step onto a job site. If a construction manager doesn’t have a dedicated human resource team, the work falls to them. With an already busy schedule, this step may be overlooked in implementing an onboarding process.
How to Onboard Construction Workers Without Slowing the Job
Despite the challenges in creating a successful onboarding process for new construction workers, it can be done. It’s an important part of making sure a construction project runs smoothly, especially those that can take a construction company to the next level. Here are three strategies construction managers can use before their next round of workers start.
Set up workers for success before they arrive at a job site. Communicate with new hires to ensure they arrive with the right PPE and work clothes. If the company provides the tools and equipment, they should be ready and easily accessible for new workers to find on their first day. This allows new hires to jump right into work and be productive from day one.
Explain to new hires what type of work is expected on the job site. This starts as early as the job description when hiring workers. Making sure it’s detailed and outlines the work and company expectations can help weed out those workers who won’t be a right fit before they start the job. Those who are hired go into their first day of work knowing exactly what to expect, so they won’t leave due to confusion or a lack of motivation.
Start training workers on safety. From how to handle equipment safely to the hazards workers should look for on a job site, take the time to train new workers on safety. It will help minimize the risk of workplace injuries that can not only put everyone in serious danger but also adversely affect the construction project timeline.
How Labor Finders Supports Construction Worker Onboarding
When a new construction project looms and time becomes even more stretched, partnering with a trusted leader in construction staffing to handle the onboarding can be a big help. At Labor Finders, we’ve helped small and medium-sized construction businesses handle their onboarding needs – so managers don’t have to. During the recruiting process, we post detailed job descriptions so workers know what the assignment entails before they even apply. Every morning, we check in with our workers before they go to a job site to ensure they have the PPE they need. During that time, we hold regular safety talks and training sessions with our associates, so safety is always top of mind. Your Labor Finders partner also handles all the paperwork – from payroll to health insurance.
Keeping Construction Projects on Track With the Right Onboarding Process
Onboarding new construction workers is a step construction managers shouldn’t overlook. Setting workers up before they arrive on the job site, clearly explaining what work is expected, and providing safety training from day one all help reduce risk and improve productivity. A strong new employee onboarding process helps workers stay longer, work more safely, and contribute sooner, making it easier to keep construction projects on track.
