The next step of project management steps is staffing as the required. Organizing is concerned with the division of work and setting up the structure of the workforce, whilst project management staffing provides people to carry out and supervise the work within that organizing structure .
The allocation of supervisory staff is controlled by the Site Engineer, but otherwise the engagement of labor for the job is the duty of the job supervisor. Since the efficiency of the job depends to a large extent on the quality of the men employed, the supervisor owes it to himself to be careful and critical in his selection.
Points to be remembered in engaging and transferring labor include:-
• Preference clauses of the relevant awards must always must be observed when engaging men or transferring them from one class of work to another.
• Labor is to be engaged through the Commonwealth Employment Service nearest the job.
• Preference should be given to the men with the longest registration who are suitable.
• Suitable men offering for employment, other than through an Employment Service may be engaged, but the job supervisor should keep himself informed of labor available by maintaining contact with the Employment Service to ensure that wherever practical {and consistent with efficiency) local men are employed.
• Next important factor of project management staffing is Transferring men from job to job enables the project to retain capable employees and provides continuity of employment for the men. However consideration should be given to the costs involved and the availability of suitable labor in the vicinity of the new job. Plant operators are often transferred with their machines. Co-operation between foreman and co-ordination by the overseer or Engineer is necessary to effect transfers with the minimum of inconvenience to the jobs.
• Newspaper advertisement stating the type of work, location of work and the relevant Award is useful for obtaining skilled personnel.
• The job supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the methods of engaging labor are honest and free from favoritism and bias.
• Special attention must be given to owner-drivers and only bonafide owner-drivers shall be engaged. No truck owned by the foreman or ganger, or in which the foreman or ganger has a direct or indirect financial interest is to be hired. Sub-contract loading and carting should always be considered as an economic alternative.
• The engagement of labor for Main Roads works is subject to close scrutiny by interested people and it is therefore essential not only that sound and just methods are followed but that sufficient records of engagements are maintained to enable criticisms and complaints to be fully investigated .
• The help of the Driver Instructor should be sought when engaging or transferring plant operators.
There may be occasions when he is not available and so it is then the job supervisor’s duty to discuss the matter with the plant inspector and to ensure that the operator holds a current endorsed license and certificate of competency for the particular machine to be operated.
• All new employees must be told when they are engaged that it is a condition of their employment that they comply with all safety regulations, in particular those concerned with wearing of safety clothing.
Any other conditions of employment should also be brought to the attention of job applicants.