Employee Leasing Quotes : PEO Blog

It’s burning up out there! The thermometer is reading temperatures that are not only uncomfortable to be in, but also can be dangerous or even fatal! The question of would one rather be inside sipping a cool drink or working outside in the extreme heat is easy to answer. I don’t know too many people who would choose the latter.

Unfortunately, even on the hottest days there is still work to be done outside. Employers in the construction industry are faced with the dilemma of how to meet their production goals while keeping their workers safe.

Heat illness is very real and can progress quickly from a treatable to a fatal condition. The good news is that it is preventable. Therefore, employers should be aware of what circumstances can lead to heat illness and how to avoid them.

Not only can this save the well-being of your workers, but it can also save you money. Having an accident and illness prevention program for your employees will increase their productivity, lower your medical and emergency services costs and keep your workers’ compensation premiums low.

So first things first. When hiring an employee, make sure to be aware of their physical limitations when it comes to working in increased temperatures. Make it a common practice to screen your potential workers for their ability to withstand heat.

Once you have hired your workers, be aware of their health and physical capabilities. Consider the demands of the task they are working on and the conditions to which they are being exposed. Be prepared to make changes based on the health and safety needs of your workers.

If at all possible, try to schedule your employees’ most strenuous work early in the day. Also, advise them to eat lighter meals during their work shifts in hot environments. Heavy foods, especially in large quantities, strain the body’s cooling system.

Train your employees and supervisors on how to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illness and what to do if someone exhibits symptoms. The first stage of danger is heat exhaustion. Its characteristics are heavy sweating; slightly elevated body temperature; pale, clammy skin; headache, nausea or vomiting and unusual weakness, dizziness or fainting. Know where the closest hospital is located in case of emergency.

Water is really the key to preventing heat illness. Without it, our bodies have no way of cooling themselves. Make sure your employees have adequate amounts of water, and encourage them to stay hydrated. A good idea is to drink water every half hour, even if you are not thirsty.

Encourage your workers wear light colored, cotton clothing that will “breathe”. Give them frequent breaks in the shade and allow them to rest when they feel they are becoming overheated. Use the “buddy system” in the heat- never allowing your employees to work alone.

The good news is that the risk of heat-related illnesses is limited to only a few months out of the year. Making use of the above ideas and helping your employees be aware of their physical limits can keep them safe until the cooler temperatures in the fall.

When you’re ready to look at the many benefits of employee leasing services, give us a call. We specialize in the construction industry, and we know how to help employers lower their costs.

Employee Leasing Quotes

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I got this forward from a client of mine who works in Texas, and I thought it was funny enough to share on a Friday:

Key terms in the Construction Industry:

Contractor - A gambler who never gets to shuffle, cut or deal.
Bid Opening - A poker game in which the losing hand wins.
Bid - A wild guess carried out to two decimal places.
Low Bidder - A contractor who is wondering what he left out.
Engineer’s Estimate - The cost of construction in heaven.
Project Manager - The conductor of an orchestra in which every musician is in a different union.
Critical Path Method - A management technique for losing your shirt under perfect control.
OSHA - A protective coating made by half-baking a mixture of fine print, red tape, split hairs and baloney–usually applied at random with a shotgun.
Strike - An effort to increase egg production by strangling the chicken.
Delayed Payment - A tourniquet applied at the pockets.
Liquidated Damages - A penalty for failing to achieve the impossible.
Completion Date - The point at which liquidated damages begin.
Auditor - Person who goes in after the war is lost and bayonets the wounded.
Lawyer - Person who goes in after the auditors to strip the bodies

When you’re ready to look at the many benefits of employee leasing services, give me a call. We specialize in the construction industry, and we know how to help employers lower their costs.

Employee Leasing Quotes

1-888-582-8388

While a majority of states across the nation are reporting a decline in construction-related employment, Alabama was one of only 16 states to see a rise. The Associated General Contractors of America recently reported that Alabama’s construction industry employed 113,000 workers in May 2008, an increase of 0.8% from one year before.

Construction industry experts say that figure may continue to rise as Alabama’s diverse economy continues to thrive and several major projects break ground in the next year.

Alabama’s small construction business owners are the driving economic force reports the AGC. Alabama had 10,000 construction firms in 2005, of which 89% employed fewer than 20 workers. In addition, Alabama had 50,000 construction firms without employees - mainly sole proprietorships, in 2005.

Annual pay in 2006 for employees in Alabama’s construction industry averaged $36,937, 4% more than the private sector average of $35,536. Alabama construction contributed $7 billion to state GDP of $166 billion in 2007.

The impact of Alabama employee leasing and PEO services in the construction industry has been critical. Alabama construction companies face some of the highest workers’ compensation rates in country. Employee leasing companies can offer discounts on Alabama workers’ compensation insurance that traditional policies can’t. The ability to outsource administrative hassles like payroll, audits, claims, deductions and so much more has given employers the freedom to focus on income producing tasks.

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Good news for Texas construction business owners! While employers in other states continue to see less opportunity, the number of construction jobs in Texas is on the rise.

In May, the number of jobs in the Texas construction industry increased by 4,200 over the previous month. That’s a total increase of 27,700 new jobs since January, according to the U.S. Department of Labor

Cost of living, job opportunities, quality of life and the increase in Texas’ economy seem to be some of the reasons for the boost. Some experts even attribute it to the favorable weather. Materials, energy, labor and fuel costs are lower in Texas, as well- which can also be a large factor in the rate increase.

Another factor in the rise of Texas construction is related to population increases. Currently, Texas’ population is growing at two to three times the national average. More people need more houses, more buildings and more things to do- hence the Texas construction boom.

Contractors in other states aren’t as fortunate. September 2006 was the nationwide peak for the construction industry, since then over 475,000 jobs have been lost. Those cuts have been especially dramatic over the last seven months, in which 2/3 of those jobs have been eliminated.

It’s a tough market out there, and we’re all feeling the pain. My company works with a variety of small contractors and trades professionals, with most not knowing what the next week will bring.

Today’s tough economic times for construction and trades employers demand viewing every expense as if it were a major cost. The benefits of employee leasing and PEO services can give contractors a real competitive edge.

The savings on workers’ compensation costs in the construction industry alone over the last decade has been in the billions of dollars. Outsourcing all the administrative hassles of payroll, quarterly taxes, claims issues and audits gives employers more to time to focus on income producing work.

When you’re ready to look at the many benefits of employee leasing services, give me a call. We specialize in the construction industry, and we know how to help employers lower their costs.

1-888-582-8388