In our current economy, essential industries are busier than ever. Some employees find themselves working from home, while others—such as warehouse workers—are still out on the front lines. Many consumers are relying on online ordering to fulfill needs for groceries, household items and other products, plus stores are scrambling to restock certain in-demand items. This means warehouses are bustling to fulfill orders. It’s critical for employers to take measures to ensure business is moving along as usual—smoothly and safely for all warehouse employees, as described by one of the leading staffing agencies in Nashville, TN.
Three Ways to Keep Processes Moving in Your Warehouse
Roadblocks to production can prevent order fulfillment from keeping up with demands. But by following important steps, you can improve the way your warehouse workers respond to common problems:
- Add technology that supports communication. From an online order through warehouse fulfillment and shipping, multiple steps can affect the timeliness with which customers receive their orders. But technology can help. Many of the most efficient warehouses use a warehouse management system (WMS) that helps track steps of the fulfillment process to ensure every order is signed, sealed and delivered to the customer accurately and on time. CRM (customer relationship management) software integrates with your system to help you manage contact with your customers.
- Take steps to avoid employee turnover. Retention of warehouse workers is bleak, according to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To help ensure employee satisfaction, it’s critical to figure out why your workers may be leaving, so you can make amends to turn the situation around. Possible solutions include:
- An anonymous and confidential employee survey. Services such as Survey Monkey make it fast and easy to “poll the audience” and find out what concerns may exist in your company culture.
- An open-door policy. Let workers know your office is always open, and it’s a judgement-free zone if they need to talk about any concerns they’re having.
- Team meetings. Get together regularly to talk about workflow and get feedback on possible improvements is valuable.
- Help employees stay safe and healthy. Employee health and safety is your number one concern. And given current concerns over COVID-19, it’s critical to take additional steps to help employees protect their health, such as:
- Promoting frequent and thorough handwashing.
- Encouraging workers to stay home if sick.
- Discouraging the use of other workers’ phones, desks or offices, and keeping commonly touched surfaces sanitized.
- Implementing additional controls to prevent close contact between workers. This can include surgical masks, temporary barriers and six feet between workers.
- Referring to the CDC and OSHA websites for more information as it develops.
Work With Your Recruiter
Your recruiter is a valuable resource to help you find and place the right employees to avoid turnover. He or she can also help with your training needs. To learn more about available services, contact your staffing partner.
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