One of the most dangerous and taxing industries in the world is the construction sector. Although this industry continues to grow each year and is vital to the United States economy, a large portion of its workforce is set to retire in the coming years. This makes the next few years incredibly important to restocking the workforce and maintaining the momentum that this career field has.
If you are a general contractor or decision-maker for a construction firm in some capacity, then understanding the needs of workers is crucial. Whether you are showing appreciation for construction work veterans or incentivizing new applicants to join your company, one effective way to motivate people is through gifts.
However, giving gifts to construction workers is not always simple. What they would appreciate and what the typical office worker might appreciate could be vastly different. With that said, here are some gift ideas you can use to motivate or thank your construction workers.
Extra Vacation Days
Such a physically demanding job can lead to exhaustion. The longer you work in construction, the heavier the toll it can take on your body. Sometimes, a break is needed not just for a person’s mental health, but for their physical health as well. If you have some employees who have been with the firm for a while, consider upping their vacation allotment. The ability to take time off work and even travel can revitalize an individual’s physical and mental health, which is a big need for many construction workers who have exhausting roles. What you may lose in terms of productivity for these extra vacation days will be made up for when they return feeling refreshed and energized.
Milestone Rewards
Publicly recognizing and celebrating your workers can be a great gift. Whether they have completed a certain number of projects or they have been with the firm for ten years, you should reward them when they reach these milestones. A great gift package for a milestone can include custom awards like trophies, gift cards, certificates, stipends for professional development, or extra vacation days. Make sure to celebrate this worker in front of the entire crew so you can show how much you value each team member. This can provide further motivation for other workers to accomplish their own milestones, knowing they will be rewarded.
Massage Gun
Construction work is very physical. At the end of the day, it is rare for a worker to have no soreness or pain from the labor of the project. Anything that can help relieve that pain a little will be a welcome gift. For example, a massage gun that hits the spot can relieve tense muscles and sore spots all over the body. This might be a simple gift but it could go a long way toward pain relief for construction workers. You can give this gift at a corporate holiday party or as free swag that features the name of the construction firm for additional branding opportunities.
Personalized Tool Bag
Every worker in the construction industry needs a great tool bag. Whether they are carrying around the tools of the trade at work or for home projects, they cannot keep everything they need on hand without a helpful tote. A personalized tool bag could feature their name and/or the name of your company for some additional advertising power. This makes a great gift because it has practical uses for construction workers, so you are providing something of value to them. Plus, you can get creative with designs and colors to make the gift stand out from other basic tool bags.
Car Mini Fridge
With all the physical labor of construction work, employees need to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially in the warmer months. Unfortunately, drinks will lose their cool temperatures quickly if left outside. A mini fridge that is designed to be in the car can house cool drinks and keep them refreshing throughout the day. Nothing tastes better than cold water or a cool energy drink after hours of manual labor on a hot day, so this gift could be a lifesaver for your construction employees.
Curate a Positive Culture in Your Construction Firm
Gifts can be simple, but they represent something greater. They demonstrate how much you value your people. They are also an opportunity to recognize people for their accomplishments. Giving gifts that provide value to your construction workers will foster a more positive culture within the company. This will improve employee retention and incentivize new workers who are just starting their professional careers and want to enter a workplace with a healthy culture. Take time to find a quality gift for your construction crew members and prove that you understand their needs with the right selection.
