Regardless of what industry you find yourself in, regular toolbox meetings can be an integral part of communication at your business.
The term “toolbox meeting” stems from its origin in the construction industry, where a team would meet briefly (at the toolbox) at the beginning of a shift to discuss safety concerns and the latest project updates. These days, however, it’s become a term for any regular short, informal group discussions at the workplace.
Regular toolbox meetings will allow your team members to raise and discuss a variety of issues that they may not normally have the opportunity to discuss. One of the best things about toolbox meetings is that it allows multiple people to discuss issues together. They also give managers and team leaders a unique look at their team members’ thoughts and opinions.
Group discussions benefit everyone
When someone comes up with an idea or has an issue, dealing with these one-on-one limits input from other stakeholders. When your entire team or company is discussing an issue, however, you get access to multiple points of view from employees that may not regularly contribute or participate in discussions.
Some of the things which could be discussed at regular toolbox meetings include:
- Current projects. These include timelines to completion, the status of different areas, issues teams are facing, or ways to improve the project.
- Workplace Policies and Procedures. Discuss workplace issues such as company policies, procedures, and employee grievances.
- Improvements and suggestions. Look at different ways that the company could improve productivity.
- Feedback from the company to employees. It’s a great opportunity for the company and management to give feedback and news back to employees and team members in person.
- Satisfy WHS Consultation requirements. Part of your WHS requirements is to interact and consult with employees. Documented toolbox meetings are a great way to meet this requirement.
One of the great things about toolbox meetings is that they can be scaled to different sizes to suit your business. You could make your toolbox meeting department-based, project-based, or area-based. If you are going to make toolbox meetings part of your workplace culture, be sure to take notes during the meeting, give feedback about any issues or problems raised, and be consistent with the scheduling of regular meetings.
If you’re looking for a new way to interact with your employees, then a toolbox meeting could be just what you or your company has been looking for. Want to know more? Why not schedule a chat with us today.
