Construction Law
How Construction Companies Can Adopt the Best Qualities of the Military
At Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, we are committed to all aspects of the construction industry. Our devotion to construction goes well beyond providing construction businesses with a myriad of helpful legal services. Our Birmingham construction lawyers have a background in construction and are also members of local, state, and federal associations dedicated to construction professionals. These organizations focus on a variety of important topics including improving processes, utilizing the newest technology, and dealing with a skills gap in the workforce.
As the labor shortage is a serious issue impacting construction firms, one valuable resource to combat this problem is employing more military veterans. As former military men and women are often overlooked by “white-collar” industries once they are discharged from service, it’s important that contractors consider how the qualities of a military veteran perfectly align with the needs of the construction industry.
In this editorial, a Birmingham construction lawyer will discuss many of these qualities and how they can be integrated onto the jobsite. Remember, for any of your employment contract needs, the knowledgeable and experienced Birmingham contractor attorneys at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants are standing by.
On Time and Prepared to Start Their Day
Although there are dozens of amazing qualities that a military veteran can bring to the jobsite, one practical one is that our military members are used to getting up early in the morning and starting their day with a lot of energy. This trait coincides perfectly with the needs of construction businesses as crews are typically required to start their day bright and early and hit the ground running. As “time is money” on projects, construction workers need to be reliable and show up on time and ready to work. If you own a construction business, you may even consider shifting your daily schedule planner to military time to accommodate your veterans while also making certain every worker knows exactly when they are expected to arrive.
Cognizant of Their Surroundings
Former military men and women are trained on a variety of useful techniques, including having a high-level understanding of how to assess their surrounding environment. With a lot of moving parts and potential hazards on a jobsite, it’s critical to have professionals that are focused on their tasks, can evaluate their surroundings in real time, and know where all the entrances and exit points are on a jobsite. If you are interested in employing individuals that know how to concentrate and accomplish objectives, look no further than military veterans.
Compliant and Respectful
Former military members understand the concept of a chain of command. They respect protocols and treat their superiors with respect. Military men and women greatly value leadership. As your former military employees work their way up the company ladder, you can take comfort knowing you can entrust high-level tasks and confidential information to a trusted ally. Former military members understand the importance of keeping confidential information secure when briefed on objectives. These are all important qualities to find in a project leader.
Perfect Members of a Team
Military veterans love to be part of a team atmosphere. They were trained on the principle of being “Army strong.” They are not only team-building advocates, but military men and women are also training enthusiasts that understand the benefits of a well-orchestrated training process. When they need to learn, they are attentive. When they need to lead, they are willing and prepared. Teamwork and on-the-job training will be instrumental for construction firms to combat the labor shortage.
Focused on Objectives
Former military personnel are extremely organized and focused on project details. They respect deadlines and understand the importance of hitting milestones. Whether a plan needs to be followed to a T or you need a professional that can appropriately improvise when necessary, a former military member can do either. For your construction business to prosper, you need employees that can closely follow orders and excel in their specialized areas of a project. Military veterans have these traits and more.
Prepared for Any Situation
As we mentioned, one major benefit to employing former military members is that they know how to properly adapt to changing circumstances and can make difficult on-the-fly decisions. With experience facing high-stress situations, they know how to de-escalate perilous situations and thrive when performing tasks under pressure. Former military men and women are also at peak physical condition and capable of performing any athletic tasks necessary on the jobsite. They are also conditioned to work all day in the elements. Lastly, these men and women are courageous and have a “can do” attitude.
Loyal and Accountable
One major cause of the labor shortage is that construction has become extremely competitive when it comes to retaining talent. In order for your operations to continue to succeed, you need consistency in performance in all aspects of your business. It just so happens that military veterans are loyal to their nation, their unit, and the principles that they hold close to their hearts. Former men and women of the military also are trained in accountability and can work through challenges until issues are corrected. In construction, mistakes will happen and plans will need to be adjusted, so it’s important that business owners surround themselves with employees that are focused on improving processes and are also loyal.
If you would like to speak with a Birmingham contractor attorney, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.