flexiblefullpage - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
Currently Reading

Creating a No-overtime Policy

Advertisement
billboard -
Business

Creating a No-overtime Policy

How to implement a process for productive work hours and quality time off


By By Louis Krokover November 7, 2018
remodelers working when they're working and resting when they're off
This article first appeared in the November 2018 issue of Pro Remodeler.

Who isn’t exhausted after eight hours on the job, especially in such a physically demanding industry? Research across a number of professions has shown time and again that productivity and accuracy decrease when employees aren’t given sufficient time off to recharge. Yet the standard practice continues to be asking staff to work overtime to finish a job or catch up on paperwork. 

Not at NewDay. It’s been part of our company culture for more than three decades to not allow overtime. It lets our employees be 100% “on” when they’re at work, and 100% “off” when they’re not, which translates into better work and a better company in the long run. 

The following are a few tips for changing the overtime policy at your company.

Create a Game Plan

Change is hard. If you’re looking to eliminate overtime, you will need a strategy. Break it down into manageable steps. At NewDay, we don’t work overtime or weekends. The day before a holiday, employees work four hours but are paid for eight. That system has been in place—and working well—since the ‘70s. 

Try implementing one thing at a time: Start with not allowing overtime one or two days a week. And keep the lines of communication open: If you don’t know what’s working, you can’t know what to change.

Start Each Week with Tangible Goals

Make explicit what you’d like your crew to accomplish not only by the end of the day, but by the end of the week as well. This way, progress happens intentionally, and everyone knows the expectations and can create a plan to get that done within regular working hours.

Make it clear what you expect to be accomplished by the end of the day and the week so employes can plan their time and work intentionally.

Knowing what’s expected by week’s end also helps keep employees aware of where they stand if they’re looking for some time off. If they can accomplish what we’ve set out as goals ahead of schedule, then I don’t have a problem when they ask to take off a few hours early to pick up the kids or catch an early game.

Don’t Waver

Clients will push you to bend your no-overtime policy. I’ve had clients offer to pay whatever the extra would be for my crew to work overtime, and I tell them, point blank, that it’s not going to happen.

Let them know that if you ask your crew to work overtime, workmanship will go down, and you won’t come back in on your own dime to do pick-up work. Overtime is too costly—physically, mentally, and monetarily. 


written by

Louis Krokover

Louis Krokover is president and CEO of NewDay Development in Los Angeles, Calif. 


Add new comment

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
leaderboard2 - default

Related Stories

How to Create a World-Class Remodeling Team

Great remodeling companies position themselves for the future with the right players

How to Increase Your Odds of Closing Remodeling Sales

Use these tips to hone your sales process and grow close ratio

Everyone Should Have a Number: KPIs for Your Design Build Team

Measuring key performance indicators guides your team to success while creating accountability and ownership

Becoming Profitable in Your Remodeling Niche

The 2023 NAHB Remodelers Chair shares insights and advice for contractors in our 2024 Thought Leader predictions series

 

Combat Remodeling Market Pullback with Increased Marketing

Mosby Building Arts' president shares his expert predictions and approaches to remodeling in 2024 for Pro Remodeler's Thought Leader predictions series

4 AI Tools for the Content Creating Contractor

Let artificial intelligence do the work

A Mindset of Serving Others

A research study shows surprising results about what makes us take ownership of our work.

4 Surprising Home Improvement Trends for 2024

Leaf Home CEO Jon Bostock offers insight on topics and trends that will impact the home improvement industry this year

Preparing for an Uncertain 2024

Here's how remodelers can prepare for unpredictable market

4 Steps to Prep Your Business for Contraction

How a remodeling company plans ahead for the worst of times (and the best of times)
 

Advertisement
boombox2 -
Advertisement
halfpage2 -
Advertisement
native1 -

More in Category




Advertisement
native2 -
Advertisement
halfpage1 -
Advertisement
leaderboard1 -