During the first few weeks with a new
employee around the job site, it's common
to hear phrases like "I didn't
know that's what you wanted." You can
clear up some of this fog by using a
written Standard Operating Procedure,
or "SOP," to give everyone a set of
guidelines for how they are to perform
their job. By giving copies of the same
written policy to everyone, you avoid
having to explain the same thing —
such as what "work safe" means to you
— over and over.
I've used an SOP for years with
both my employees and subcontractors,
so I have a good idea of what it
ought to contain. Still, since this