Spring Break is a lucrative business in many southern cities, but after crime and drinking got out of hand in previous years, Panama City Beach, Florida has cracked down during the month of March. There is no drinking allowing on the beach and clubs/bars must close at 2:00 AM – two hours earlier than usual.
While this decision has divided the town, other towns are considering the same type of laws due to some of the out of control tourists. Change is not always as bad as you might think.
Have a Plan
What does this have to do with your maintenance department? One of the major issues that people against the ban are saying is that it is hurting business. With any type of change in business, or in life for that matter, there are always going to be problems. Whether it is as simple as changing the vendor you use for your cleaning supplies, or something as big as making new rules for a beach during spring break – there will almost always be complaints and problems, but if you have a plan, they don't have to be big problems.
Listen
A lot of these complaints can be addressed by listening to both sides. Now this does not mean that you have to take what your employees say to you and change the entire way of how you want something done – it just means that it doesn't help to ignore them. Even if you know that there is no way that you can make the changes to their liking, things work out better if you at least have a listen.
Be Straight With Employees
Let's say that the owner of the company you work for has decided that weekends off for the workers is no longer possible. This is a big issue with most people, but you simply have to tackle the problem head on and explain why the changes are being made. If there is a big layoff, it's out of your control most likely and while no one wants to be the bearer of bad news, it's better to be straight with your workers.
Read More: 3 Tips to Organize Your Maintenence Department
Obviously, some changes lead to good things. That beach in Florida? Crime is done, the beaches are cleaner, and things will pick up again. Changing to a CMMS program? Now that is a change that will definitely do your maintenance department good!
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