What Builds Morale?

          “If I may have a moment of your time, 1 would like to ask you a very important question. What affect does a good safety record have on the morale of your employees?

           I have had the privilege of being in this industry for almost 12 years and have seen this question answered in many ways.

            In most instances, the mine operator and safety director felt the job of increasing employee morale was their responsibility. They felt by rewarding us with little gifts (where the shipping costs were more than the cost of gift) we were inspired to do a better and safer job. By giving us tokens they felt like they were accomplishing a great feat of motivation. From my level, as an “hourly” worker in this crowded elevator, things smell differently down here. My morale isn’t affected by a little gadget that just gets thrown in a box with the rest of my collection. It’s time we face the fact that this isn’t working. Then, what will?

            You may have already come to the conclusion that I’m asking for higher wages, and some may agree it’s needed, but it’s much deeper than that.

            When I was 18 years old, I joined the United States Marine Corps. I did not join for the money or being able to see the world. I did not join for the pay nor was the view of the world that great. I joined because of the RESPECT given to U.S. Marines. The U.S. Government gave me the uniform, pay, place to live, transportation, and a job, but the one thing they couldn’t give me was RESPECT. I had to earn it by being a real Marine.

            The first 9 years of my career in this industry, I worked for one of the largest coal producers in the nation. I made good money and operated a $3 million hydraulic shovel. This gave me the opportunity to raise my family and put my wife through college. I still needed more, RESPECT. I was a “neck down” employee, not by choice, but because of micro managers who had to tell me every move to make. They discouraged independent thinking. Therefore I became a “neck down” employee, as did the rest of my co-workers and the hats, key chains, knives, etc. had no effect on our morale toward safety.

            I am currently working in the aggregate industry for a different company at one of their smaller quarries. My primary jobs are yard loader operator and lead man. There isn’t a need for a full-time production crew due to the smaller market. Depending on the demand for production, from time to time there will only be a field clerk and myself at the quarry. As a result, certain responsibilities have been given to me to carry out myself with the occasional presence of salaried supervision. By my company giving me this freedom to be other than a “neck down” employee, I now have the opportunity needed to earn the RESPECT I desire. The quarry now has two names. It is officially called Canton Quarry, but unofficially “Gary’s Quarry” and I take that as a compliment.

            You want a good safety record to increase the morale of your employees? Give them responsibilities, train them, and most importantly give them the freedom and authority to do the job well and earn the respect they want. Then, when you hand them your small token of appreciation because of a "newly acquired safety record" or a “NO citation inspection”, they will know it was for their good performance and you will have given them something money can’t buy, RESPECT!”

                                                                        Gary Mitchell

                                                                        “Gary’s Quarry”

                                                                        Dawson Springs,KY