How to administer difficult construction workers?
Asked by hana
I am recently assigned to administer low paid carpenters,masons and daily laborers. They are careless in life,do not know office ethics and too talkative and shouting. My behaviour is polite.I don't want to shout at them and be nagged. How can i administer them wisely and easily without changing my behaviour? Please share your experiance and idea.

Best Answer:
WITH DUE RESPECT to laborers, carpenters, etc. I believe that they are just like that. They have developed this "culture" in the long run of their work. You know, you can't help but shout (in the positive sense of the word) for others to hear what you are saying because the volume of noise in the workplace is great. So, with this consideration, you can shout (just to project your voice) and not meaning to be rude because they don't see it that way. You don't have to change your behaviour but you need to adjust at your workplace. I suggest that you would conduct a 15 to 30 minutes of group meetings in a quiet hall and give a short doses of seminar on ethics and other stuff that you want to input into their lives. Since you are the administrator you have the authority to speak into their lives. ALL THE BEST.

talk to them
Answered by Me

It is a form of release for them. What you should worry about is when they grow quiet.
Answered by scavenger_meat

#1 you will have to gain their respect and in order to do that you are going to have to put or foot down.
Answered by spacecowboy

I would suggest you continue treating them with politeness and courtesy. However, when addressing them, be very careful not to treat them in a patronizing or condescending manner, just because they don't meet your standards of acceptable behavior. No matter how boorish you may consider their behavior, try and remember they are people just like you, and most people regardless of the degree of their education, are cognizant of when they are being treated in a patronizing fashion. So be polite & courteous, but remember to be cordial as well.
Answered by D G

With permission from the guy that pays you, you could check this out with him/her first then tell your workers that from now on they will be on an incentive basis. Then state your own terms about their possible pay increases because of whatever incentives you want to require. Like if profanity is one of them you want to eliminate, or wasting time talking to each other, or starting fights with each other, shouting out, whatever, just tell them you'll be keeping track and their future paychecks will be reflecting their good behavior. If you can, tell them by how much their pay will be going up based on their improved conduct. Also things like learning the English language and give them a couple of places where they can go to learn the language, if they happen to only speak Spanish, or whatever. Stuff like that, and it doesn't have to be all that much of an increase as long as it is regularly provided upon their "good conduct." It has worked for me in the 23 years I served in the U.S. Navy. It was called "good conduct awards and promotions." I finished up as a Commander, USNR-RET.
Answered by jcorcor