Construction Cowboys
How to Spot and Avoid Them
We honestly have the best experiences working in construction and are privileged to find honest, hardworking people who contribute to society. We work with quality companies committed to adding value to others' lives, including their workers and look for quality teams aligned to provide that.
However, there are always a select few whose intentions are not aligned with the organisation's objectives and who may run a separate hidden 'agenda' of their own.
The construction industry is no different to any other industry. It has its own ‘construction cowboys' – people looking to make a quick buck, money or take advantage of a situation at the expense of someone via exploitation or disregard for industry rules and legislation. For example, a project manager trying to get 'his’ team of trades into a site that are not qualified; a team leader who does not share communications or changes in schedules or planning to make you look bad; or builders that don’t look after the safety of their workers and labourers; or foreign worker sponsors who charge exorbitant fees for jobs.
Bad practices fall under the ‘construction cowboy’ umbrella, and we’ll share below how to spot them and avoid them.
Payment on Time
No matter who you are, getting paid on time matters, whether you are a builder, employee, labour hire worker or subbie. If you are working with someone who is trying to get away with dodging a few invoices, or paying you late on a regular basis, that is a huge red flag, and it may be time to change now before you get caught up in something bigger, particularly how we have seen a lot of high profile companies going bust recently.
At SiteForce Recruitment, our teams are on time, at the correct rates, with super and taxes paid. Once you work with us, you are guaranteed to be paid on time, and for those companies who engage us, they are happy to meet the high standards required of them.
Safety
Workplace Health and Safety is a huge part of construction and building in Australia. Safe Work practices are regulated to reduce work-related fatalities, serious injuries and illnesses and make it easier to do business safely. Despite these regulatory requirements, some companies still choose to cut corners, which can endanger their employees' health or, worse, lives. Dodgy practices, unmarked hazards, lack of scaffolding, and lack of safety equipment or PPE are a few ways for construction workers, labourers and tradespeople to become injured.
12 Red Flags You’re Working With A Construction Cowboy – Employer and Employee:
1. Your payment is late;
2. Your super is not reported on your payment advice (or you don’t receive them at all);
3. You have had two or more excuses or delays on why your payment hasn’t been made;
4. They show up late constantly on the job site or are missing entirely;
5. They feign confusion about the problem;
6. They are only dealing with cash;
7. There is unclear guidance on workplace health and safety;
8. Hazards and risks are common on-site;
9. They are using inferior materials or inferior workmanship;
10. Areas are not being completed to specifications or are left incomplete;
11. They are asking you to deviate from plans or specifications and are reluctant to put anything in writing;
12. You are being ghosted, and they are not answering their phone or text messages.
Why Use SiteForce Recruitment?
Simply, we follow the rules, and expect our clients and talent to do the same. If not, we negotiate to bring relationships back on track and up to speed with quality practices and outcomes and provide learning opportunities. If not, we are happy to wish everyone success on their journey without us.
At SiteForce Recruitment, we also handpick our clients to ensure that our workers are only placed on construction sites with appropriate safety and work practices. We are dedicated to work health and safety and perform routine site assessments. We have a dedicated page on our website if there is a safety issue or concern, no matter how big or small, where incidents or hazards can be reported immediately (refer: https://www.siteforcerecruitment.com.au/safety).
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SiteForce Recruitment specialise in labour-hire and permanent recruitment in the construction industry. We are committed to valuing people, safety and well-being, collaboration, trust and of course – results!
CONNECT with us via our contact page or bookings links on our website if you are looking to recruit for, get your dream job, or join our amazing labour force team.
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