It’s no secret that finding good maintenance people is hard, so it is wise to think about how to keep the ones you have. Four tips to help retain them include:
- Ensure pay is not an issue. Ask your HR rep for a report showing the prevailing wages in your area. If your best people are not making above the local average, the “flight risk” needs to be brought to management’s attention.
- Consider each individual’s pace when assigning work. Charlie likes routine, so assigning him the same maintenance tasks will help keep him happy. Jack hates doing the same thing all the time, so giving him different types of work will help keep him happy.
- Actively show appreciation. The main reason people quit a job is because they don’t feel appreciated. Make expressions of gratitude sincere and specific.
- Make negative feedback timely. Nobody likes being blindsided in an annual performance review. Give constructive criticism in a timely manner when a problem occurs. Conversely, be timely when praising an achievement.
About the Author
Mark Lamendola
Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.
Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.
Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.