| Points to consider |
Running a crew is a fast-pace, complicated challenge – no one can keep track of everything in their head. The best way to avoid things falling through the cracks is to write things down.
The best foremen keep a notebook (and a pen) with them at all times. They use it record to-do’s, action items, key points from meetings, and events with their crew. It’s also wise to record things like weather, jobsite conditions, attendance, etc.
Having a written record of incidents (safety, poor performance, attendance) and conversations with employees (verbal warnings, coaching, counseling) is invaluable in case of formal discipline, incident investigations or legal activities.
Some foremen use their phones or iPads to take notes – that’s fine, but a paper notebook is usually better and faster. Which ever method you choose, make sure you can capture notes easily, find them quickly and store them securely.
Be sure to label your notebooks with dates and job information so you can sort through them later.
Keep your notebooks when they’re full. You never know when you may be called upon to remember something from the last job, last year, the previous company, etc. |
