30 ways to take care of your blue collar employees

The bell rings, I open the door for my cook, get ready, book an Uber/Ola, go to a café, order coffee at a counter, collect it, dunzo things that I have forgotten, and get to work while things just happen around me – and for me.I’m young enough to take maximum advantage of new technology and old enough to appreciate the stark contrast between present luxuries and past worries. So, how did things become this convenient?

“Three words – Blue Collar Employees.

Blue Collar Jobs initially meant roles that required manual labour. Today, the definition has broadened to include our Zomato and Swiggy delivery executives, Uber and Ola drivers, UrbanClap and HouseJoy personnel, Rapido Captains, Yulu and Bounce helpers, and others.

Why are Blue Collar Employees important?

Have you ever had one of those days when the maid decides to take the day off, when your food delivery app decides to assign one delivery executive for multiple orders, or when you just can’t seem to find transport using your app? Do your plans go somewhat off-the-rails then? Chances are, they do. Our productivity has soared because we can get things done with the tap of a button and so, organizations that provide the above blue collar services have made a killing. In fact, the sector is set to grow due to higher demand and extremely low supply.

However, while BCEs provide services just like anyone else, they are not recognized or valued in the same way that white collar employees are. If society is to continue on its path of progress, it is essential that we recognize and commend those who weave its present fabric. Let’s start by busting a few myths that inhabit the world of Blue Collar Employees.

Myth #1: They are not really intelligent, so this is all they can do.

Hello, Prejudice! We meet again. The ‘unintelligent’ tag that goes with blue collar jobs is largely due to the socio-economic background of most blue collar workers in India. They are generally from a financially disadvantaged background and, usually, not college-educated. So, they must be unintelligent. Note sarcasm.

As we now know, intelligence can be divided into 9 types. Let’s take people skills for example and look at Interpersonal Intelligence. The next time you step out to dine, keep an eye out for food delivery executives. You will notice them striking up conversations at restaurants to build lasting relationships with people at the counter or in the kitchen. They are able to read and empathize with people’s moods and know just what to say and when to say it. This works in their favor because they get preference when there is a rush. Gardeners, on the other hand tend to have Naturalistic Intelligence.

The job market of the future will consist of those jobs that robots cannot perform

If nothing else, a person’s capability can be deduced from their decision-making skills. A driver has to put this skill to the test nearly everyday, responding on-the-go to traffic fluctuations, while security guards have to depend on their observation skills when allowing visitors or strangers to enter the premises. Even plumbers, electricians, and cooks depend on their creative abilities and reasoning to do their respective jobs.

Myth #2: They are a dime a dozen and hence, replaceable.

• Verify your employees, track attendance
• Pay accurate & minimum and easily comply with the law.
• All of this without lifting a hand Verify your employees
• All of this without lifting a hand

“The job market of the future will consist of those jobs that robots cannot perform. Our blue-collar work is pattern recognition, making sense of what you see.

Myth #3: They are a dime a dozen and hence, replaceable.

Uh…no. We don’t have enough people in the sector for them to be replaceable, unlike people in white collar jobs. With a whole generation’s mass exodus to office jobs, the essential blue collar roles have been left vacant. Though millennials are considering the blue collar sector, we are still facing a shortage in India. In addition, most blue collar roles cannot be filled by AI solutions anytime soon.