Battling Complacency on the Job Site

By Cotney Attorneys & Consultants. 

Complacency affects more than the individual worker. It affects your organization.  

Complacency on the job site has consequences. What is complacency? According to dictionary.com, it is a feeling of “quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect or the like.” 

When speaking of complacency on the worksite, it is most certainly a safety issue. Sometimes it applies to inexperienced workers who are unaware of the hazards they face. But sometimes, it involves experienced workers who have become a little too comfortable in their work habits, ignoring essential safety issues. In the second category, the employees are well aware of the hazards but accept the risks without addressing the hazards. 

Take steps to help your employees avoid this dangerous trap. 

Conduct a Survey

Take a look around. Look for work tasks you may be so used to doing that you are not taking the proper precautions to protect yourself and your coworkers. For example, when you are up on the roof, are you following all necessary safety procedures? 

Have a coworker conduct an audit on you or conduct it yourself. Determine your shortcomings in completing tasks safely. Be open to constructive feedback that can help you or coworkers improve performance. 

Do not take the easy way out when it comes to following all safety procedures. Do not cut corners because that leaves you vulnerable to more risk. Instead, hold everyone on the job accountable to do what is necessary to remain safe on the job. 

Eliminate the hazards you face by again getting into the habit of following all safety rules and guidelines. Then, after an audit, you know the risks and can address them. Get yourself back to the point where following safety rules becomes automatic once again. By doing this, you avoid complacency. 

It is all too easy to take shortcuts to complete work faster but focusing on speed over safety cheats the safety system. Do not be lulled into risk-taking, thinking that an accident will not happen to you. 

Impact on Business

Complacency affects more than the individual worker. It affects your organization. Suppose employees are taking their jobs for granted and are no longer motivated to follow safety precautions. In that case, it can prevent your company from achieving excellence in its operations, exceeding expectations and operating profitably. 

Many find it difficult to maintain enthusiasm for their jobs, but this can lead to complacency, leading to inferior work performance. It is sometimes called being mentally absent. 

Change the Behavior

When a worker gets injured on the job, the blame typically falls on one of several excuses: 

• They were not paying attention 

• They were not focused 

• They were rushing 

• They got frustrated 

• They did not use common sense 

There needs to be more than just some training, coaching, or counseling. Management can intervene and correct this type of behavior. 

Treat workers fairly and equitably and help them succeed with proper planning, staffing, directing and controlling. Make their work meaningful, so employees feel like they are learning and want to improve so they can advance in the organization. 

Remember that complacency can negatively impact the entire organization, so do not ignore it. The culture of complacency develops over time, so keep a sharp eye out to ensure it does not creep into your workplace. 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.