Attracting and Retaining Talent in the Portable Sanitation Sector

Portable sanitation is dirty work, but it’s also important work that helps to improve the well-being of others. Plus, it’s a solid career choice with respectable compensation. Successfully attracting and retaining talent in the portable sanitation sector requires an effective strategy, but it is possible with the right approach.

Overcoming Stigma to Make Portable Sanitation Jobs Attractive

If you’re operating a movie studio or animal welfare organization, there may be a steady stream of job seekers who are passionate about the industry. Unfortunately, the portable sanitation industry doesn’t enjoy that luxury.

You’re probably not going to be flooded with job seekers who are passionate about portable toilets, which means you’ll have to work harder to make the job attractive, and there’s a significant stigma to overcome. MSN ran an article on 14 jobs that pay well but that most people think they are too good for. Portable sanitation was number five on the list.

Nevertheless, it is possible to find good workers.

• Highlight the importance of the work. If people think it’s unpleasant to have portable toilets around, they should consider how much worse it would be to NOT have them. The portable sanitation sector makes the world cleaner and more sanitary. Recruiters should frame the work in this positive light.
• Offer competitive compensation. People take jobs to pay their bills and support their families. If you offer competitive wages and an appealing benefits package, you’ll attract workers who might otherwise go into other industries.
• Consider hiring workers that other employers might avoid. Another option is to attract people who want to work hard but whom other employers may not give a chance, particularly people with past convictions. Employers can even receive second chance hiring tax credits by participating in programs to hire individuals with criminal records.

Supporting Workers to Ensure They Stay

Hiring good workers is only half the battle – you also need to retain the great people you hire.

If your turnover is high, you’ll end up spending too much on hiring costs, which will leave you with less money to allocate to your current workers. You’ll also have a high number of inexperienced workers, which will increase the risk of workplace mistakes and injuries, further raising your overall operating costs.

Once you have good workers, keep them as long as possible:

• Provide adequate training. Insufficient training sets workers up for failure. They need to know what you expect of them, how to do their jobs successfully, and how to avoid incidents.
• Offer career advancement opportunities. Workers are more likely to stay if they think they’ll be able to progress in their careers. Look for creative ways to give your high performers more responsibility and a clear path forward.
• Recognize and reward workers. Everyone wants recognition for the hard work they do. In addition to thanking workers for their efforts, financial rewards (both in the form of bonuses and regular pay raises) are likely to make an impact.
• Support a work-life balance. Portable sanitation workers will need to work hard on the job, but they also need time off. Perks like flexible scheduling and paid time off helps workers balance their jobs and their personal obligations to reduce stress and burnout.

Create a Safe Sanitation Working Environment

Portable sanitation isn’t just dirty – it may also be dangerous. Although it’s not the deadliest profession – according to the BLS, that dubious honor goes to logging – workers may be exposed to infectious diseases. They may also injure themselves while handling cleaning chemicals or machinery.

Talented team members aren’t likely to stay in an unsafe job for long. They may have to leave for health reasons or may see their coworkers become ill or injured and leave out of fear. Employers should make the work as safe as possible.

• Offer safety training. Clearly, new hires need training, but experienced workers may also need training refreshers every now and then.
• Provide personal protective equipment. Gloves, masks, and other personal protective equipment keep workers safe from hazards.
• Prioritize safety. A company culture that puts safety first goes a long way toward preventing incidents.
• Choose a good workers’ compensation program. When workers are injured on the job, a good workers’ compensation program will ensure they receive the care they need to support a fast recovery.

Do you have the insurance you need to support recruitment and retention in the portable sanitation sector? Tangram provides insurance designed for portable sanitation companies, including workers’ compensation, auto, general liability, inland marine, property, and umbrella insurance. Learn more.