Let’s begin at the top with your foreman’s immediate boss. Your written chain of command must define only one boss to assist, monitor, motivate and control everything that happens on each project. The contractor, project manager or other company officials may visit and view activity and progress, but never give orders, criticism or discipline. They may ask questions but refrain from interference.
The traveling superintendent must negotiate the foreman’s written job description (a copy of the job description can be found in the February 2013 issue, “Employee Relations,” page 40) and document all above-average or below-average performance in the foreman’s file for timely wage reviews. He also should monitor jobsite training and maintain records of each employee’s progress in their database skills inventory.