As we all navigate through this ever changing world the constant question is, how do we get everything done with what we currently have? The maintenance of our buildings is something that feels like an overwhelming task as we attempt to ensure our buildings are clean, sanitized, fully operational, all while still attempting to manage those overtime labor costs of our team members.
Doing More with Less
One of the best ways to improve team efficiency is to ensure that every team member is in the right role. This could mean promoting someone who has outgrown a role through experience on the team or it could mean shifting someone to a new position when they become disengaged with their current role. According to Gallup, disengaged employees have 37% higher absenteeism, 18% lower productivity and 15% lower profitability. By ensuring that each employee is in the right role, you will help to build up your team’s efficiency which will result in higher productivity throughout the team. Especially in our current labor force, our ability to quickly make these adjustments with our team shows our commitment to their careers within our organizations, limits abrupt resignations due to burn out, as well increases their efficiency and productivity which allows you to do more with less.
Outsourcing, Does it make sense?
While outsourcing throughout the years has curtaining had some negative connotations at times, the truth is that many facilities services tasks within a facility may be more successful with contracted employees from an outsourced professional company. These employees can provide a high level of service while often easing some budget strains, and headache of managing and scheduling these tasks. When you choose a company to subcontract recurring tasks to within your building to, it is important to do your research, ask for references, and read google reviews as these outside vendors are an extension of your brand to your residents and their family members. There is no rush to make this discussion, be sure that the company you are bringing in aligns with your company’s values and mission statement.
According to One Source the average current fringe benefit cost of an employee’s salary is 25%. As of July 1st, 2021 the minimum wage in Oregon is $12.75 ($26,515 annually), meaning that the average fringe benefit cost to an employer alone is $6,629 per employee. Hiring a trusted subcontractor for your facility needs mitigates your organization’s responsibility and liability of the work performed, as well as releases the companies financial responsibility of health care, workers comp, and auto insurance costs (fringe costs). The proof that outsourcing works is literally in the numbers. Between the savings in consumable supplies sourced and supplied by the contracted vendor and the overhead savings of all the associated fringe benefit cost, outsourcing facility maintenance tasks, especially recurring ones just make sense for most organizations.
Our current labor market is not theorized to change for 12-18 months if ever, our ability to do more with less through leaning with our employees to listen to their needs, reviewing current roles, outsourcing some tasks within our organization is how we will create the best quality of service for the residents, ensure our buildings are clean, sanitized, fully operational.
