Your field-based operatives are the frontline of your organisation, directly interacting with residents and doing the all-important maintenance work on social housing properties. As they play such a vital role in keeping tenants happy, it’s essential you value their own happiness to keep job satisfaction and productivity high.
Keeping your staff happy can be a challenge, especially when they work remotely and you don’t get the opportunity to see them regularly in the office. This is where good mobile workforce management comes into play.
In this article, we share some top tips on how to keep your mobile workforce operatives smiling from ear to ear, so you don’t miss out on the sector’s best talent.
Empower operatives with technology
Mobile technology makes the lives of field-based operatives a whole lot easier. User-friendly mobile applications and tools help to streamline their workload and improve communication with tenants and office staff. Mobile technology helps with scheduling and reporting key information about repairs and maintenance work, reducing the risk of human error and administrative burdens.
Other benefits include optimised routes that can be tracked and the ability to share real-time updates and get instant support. Without mobile technology, operatives are likely to experience inefficiency and unnecessary complications.
To keep your field-based workforce happy and up-to-date with the latest mobile technology, take a look at the cloud-based mobile workforce management software we offer at ROCC. Our housing maintenance software gives you everything you need to revolutionise your repairs service
Invest in training and development
Informative training programmes help to provide your mobile workforce with the right skills and knowledge to perform their repairs work to a high standard. Whenever you introduce new technologies or tweak your processes, it’s important that operatives are kept in the loop and trained accordingly.
This is especially important for new starters, who aren’t as familiar with how your organisation operates. Make sure they get all the support during the early stages of their employment, so they can develop quickly and hit the ground running.
It’s also essential to offer constant opportunities for career development, as this can help to boost an operative’s morale and improve overall job satisfaction.
Be flexible and supportive
Achieving a good work-life balance is very important for modern-day staff, no matter the sector. Historically, for field-based operatives, there have been some unique challenges they have had to face, such as long hours, unpredictable workloads and long periods on the road. However, it’s important to recognise that this is no longer acceptable and operatives will jump ship if they feel like they’re being mistreated.
Try to be as flexible as possible to promote a healthy work-life balance, where mobile workers are encouraged to communicate openly to raise concerns and seek support. In doing so, you’ll create a positive working environment and operatives are more likely to take pride in the work they do for your organisation.
It’s also important to cultivate a positive and inclusive work environment where field-based operatives feel valued. Team-building activities, regular meetings and rewards for professional achievements all contribute towards making your operatives feel like they’re a core part of the team. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing help to promote a sense of belonging, where staff feel motivated to propel the business forward.
Provide adequate resources
Field-based operatives need access to the right tools, equipment, materials and job information at all times in order to perform their role effectively. If they don’t feel well-prepared and supported, then they’ll likely become frustrated and disillusioned. To prevent delays and sub-standard work, you should regularly assess their needs and address any issues quickly.
Having access to the necessary resources also empowers them to make on-the-spot decisions for themselves and have the confidence to react to sudden changes.
Encourage feedback
Always encourage your mobile workers to share their experiences and challenges in the form of constructive feedback. Listening to their ideas about ways to improve will make them feel valued and enhance their satisfaction.
Whenever you review operations and how you deliver maintenance work, ask your field-based operatives for their input and advice. Communication and collaboration are essential if you want to remove unnecessary obstacles and improve workflows.
Consider compensation packages and benefits
A good way of standing out from your competitors is to consider additional incentives, such as performance bonuses, health insurance and other attractive benefits. Recognising the hard work of your mobile workforce is an important part of keeping them happy and motivated, demonstrating your commitment to their wellbeing.
A content, productive mobile workforce is essential for any social housing association, maintenance contractor or local authority. By effectively supporting your field-based operatives, you will ensure job satisfaction is high and tenants experience exceptional service.
By using the top tips we have discussed in this article, you should be able to create a loyal mobile workforce that has no reason to look elsewhere. Failure to be a supportive and empowering employee in our modern-day working world will simply mean you get left behind.
Get in touch with the team at ROCC today to see how our housing technology software can help keep your mobile workforce satisfied and achieve amazing results. Our software is intuitively designed with them in mind, with streamlined processes and minimal button pushes.
