This article discusses issues related to performance management of workers - the blue collared workforce in the organizations.

Organizations in the manufacturing sector and also those in the service sectors such as hospitality, infrastructure, Security, logistic & retail services have a large component of their work force below the supervisor levels.

In general, the work force below officer / supervisor level may be called 'Workers' – the blue collared workforce in the organizations. This article discusses issues related to performance management of workers.

Special Characteristics of Workers
This includes features such as :

They function as groups/ teams & seldom as individuals.
They have the rights to form unions as per the the industrial norms applicable in their country.
Generally workers have team targets, rather than individual goals.
Job – profiles for workers are based on 'skill sets'.
Their growth is linked with the expertise acquired in their skill-domain.
Occasionally a multi–skilled worker may get nominated as a team leader.
Their work schedules are time based & shift-driven.
Motivation includes over-time wages, profit sharing (in form of bonus), rewards and recognitions.
Most workers may not be accustomed to the use of computers at their work-place.
They may be agreeable to serving in the same role for an extended period of time given due pay increments and promotions.
Some organizations have merit based provisions for career growth of workers to supervisory level.

Why Performance Management for Workers?

Keeping in view the special characteristics discussed above, why should there be a need to manage performance of the workers? After all, workers do not have significant career changes and growth opportunities that are typically seen by the white-collared workforce.

1.In my opinion, worker output does have a measurable impact on the bottom line. Workers appreciate automation, efficiency and understand benefits of technology.
2.Since workers perform as teams, which are largely inter-dependent, it is important to counsel in areas of team work and mutual co-existence.
3.Workers form a large and loyal base of employees that can be groomed for supervisor and even higher level positions. There are many cases of employees in lower level positions getting opportunities at the highest level.

Parameters for Performance Evaluation :

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