Focus

It seems as though small businesses, particularly those in the construction industry, are having a tough time catching a break when it comes to fulfilling work force needs. Not only is impending immigration legislation threatening to make hiring foreign workers more difficult but small-business growth in general appears to be faltering.

A study conducted by SurePayroll, a small-business payroll company based in Skokie, Ill., shows hiring among small businesses (those with fewer than 100 employees) increased only 0.3 percent during 2005 compared with 4.4 percent during 2004.

Inc. magazine attributes some of the slowdown in the small-business sector to larger companies searching for qualified talent.

But even if a small business can fill its employment needs, the price will be steep. The U.S. Department of Labor says average hourly wages climbed 0.3 percent to $16.34. But many companies are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure they have a consistent work force.

A study of human-resources professionals conducted by the online employment service Monster shows worker retention has become an overriding issue for all businesses. According to the study, employee turnover increased 40 percent during the past 12 months.

Paying higher wages isn't the only thing companies are doing to reduce turnover. The Monster survey shows more employers are conducting employee satisfaction surveys and instituting policies to enhance the work-life balance, such as more vacation time or company parties.

There may be additional perks you can institute to keep roofing workers around longer, especially in the off-season when many employees may begin looking elsewhere for work. Some things to consider could be roofing-related continuing education or English-as-a-second-language classes; subsidizing a health-club membership; or bringing some fun into the workplace, such as on-site massages (massage schools often will send students to a workplace for a reduced rate) or a catered lunch from a local pizza place.

Whatever you do, it is evident employees are paying attention. And as it becomes more difficult to find employees, keeping them becomes that much more important.

Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Professional Roofing magazine and NRCA's director of communications.