“I joined Davie Construction as Manager of Human Resources in 2019 because it was an opportunity to work for a company that genuinely values its people and understands that a strong culture is essential to business success. Davie’s reputation for integrity, commitment to quality, and its family-focused environment made the role especially meaningful from an HR perspective,” said Brittany Bates. “It was a natural fit because it was immediately evident from my first interview that the leaders placed such a strong emphasis on family, teamwork, and supporting employees far beyond just everyday interactions.”
Her initial objectives were to get to know the team, understand the company’s culture and hiring needs, and identify ways to strengthen recruiting and employee support. “I also wanted to make sure our HR processes reinforced Davie’s values while helping us attract, develop, and retain the right people, she said. According to Brittany, the responsibilities facing human resources teams serving the construction industry are intense and multi-faceted. “One of the biggest is balancing business needs with the very real demands of recruiting, onboarding, and retaining skilled people in a competitive labor market. Another challenge is making sure our hiring efforts reflect both the technical demands of the industry and the culture that makes Davie a place people want to stay.”
Maintaining that culture and expanding it to attract people, especially those starting their careers, means ensuring employees feel valued, recognized, and encouraged to grow with the company. “I’m proud of contributing to efforts that promote from within and reinforce Davie as an employer where people can build long-term careers,” said Brittany.
As a result, Davie Construction’s reputation as an employer of choice is widespread. “The strategy behind our recruitment efforts is presenting us as a well-respected construction company with a strong reputation, a family-oriented culture, and a clear commitment to employee growth. I also emphasize that we value integrity, teamwork, and accountability, and that we want people who are looking for more than just a job,” said Brittany. Construction professionals who have been attracted to the company state the value they place on being part of a company where their work matters and their contributions are recognized. They are also drawn to the company’s stability, the quality of the work, and the opportunity to join a team that takes pride in doing things the right way. The consistent growth, much of it driven by a very high level of repeat clients who hire Davie as their general contractor for all their construction projects, encourages potential candidates who see the value of joining a winning team.”
As an experienced Human Resources professional, Brittany cites several advantages of working at Davie that provide a competitive edge and drive a higher-than-industry-average rate of employee retention. “Based on knowledge of national hiring trends, Davie compares very well to other firms of our size because we emphasize internal growth and development. Promoting from within is part of the company’s tradition, creating meaningful opportunities for employees who want to advance their careers here. We have so many examples of this that support this assertion.”
Brittany noted that, when interviewing potential employees, it is clear that while financial compensation is a major issue, work-life balance is increasingly crucial. “We always consider the well-being of our employees’ families to be a priority as a part of our culture of caring. This has far-reaching positive impacts internally and for our clients, because it is well-documented that people perform better and stay longer when they feel their personal lives are respected and supported.”
When hiring to fill any position, Brittany and her team seek a range of positive attributes. “Successful employees tend to share a strong work ethic, adaptability, accountability, and the ability to work well with others. They also understand that quality, communication, and respect are essential in both construction and company culture,” said Brittany. While we offer our employees many tangible and intangible benefits, our standards for them are consistently high. One of my favorite parts of my job is acknowledging those who exceed these expectations.”
Recognition of exceptional employees often happens at Davie Construction and may come from another team member, a supervisor, or, in many cases, our clients. “They will identify those employees who have gone above and beyond, either through exemplary service, quick and effective problem solving, or by laudable representation of our company while on the jobsite. Those moments are an indication of our company’s broader commitment to customer satisfaction and doing the right thing,” said Brittany.
Acknowledgment of outstanding employees comes in many forms, including direct praise from leadership, positive client feedback shared internally, or formal acknowledgment for outstanding performance. “Our culture encourages employees to be valued for their improvement and hard work, regardless of whether it is specifically noted,” said Brittany.
The tendency for employees to build lifelong careers at Davie bucks current trends of job-hopping in search of greener grass. “I think employees build lifelong careers at Davie because the company gives them stability, growth, and a sense of belonging. When people feel respected, supported, and part of a team that values family and loyalty, they are much more likely to stay for the long term. That’s why we strive for employee satisfaction in all that we do,” said Brittany. “Not only do they stay with us for decades, but they also consistently refer family and friends. This supports our recruitment efforts because people trust the experiences of those closest to them, and Davie has built a reputation that employees are proud to share. When someone has a good experience at work, it naturally leads to referrals from friends and family who want the same opportunity.”
While many points present Davie as an employee preference, there are also false beliefs about construction work that Brittany and her team must dispel. “One misperception about working in the construction industry is that it only involves physical labor, when in reality it requires problem-solving, communication, technical knowledge, and teamwork. Another is that career growth is limited in this field, but thanks to our size and expansion, at Davie there are real opportunities to learn, advance, and build a meaningful career.”
The most competitive positions Brittany and her team strive to fill are usually those requiring a rare combination of technical skill, experience, and cultural fit. In construction, that can include highly experienced project leadership roles, field supervision, and specialized technical positions where strong talent is in high demand. Vying for the candidates that fit this profile keeps them busy and alert to opportunities to enhance the company’s reputation as a desired employer. The most obvious and potent form of promotion involves every Davie team member. “They can help recruit by representing the company well, speaking positively about their experience, and referring people who share our values. Employees are often the most credible ambassadors for the culture, and their genuine pride in the company makes a strong impression on prospective hires,” encouraged Brittany.
Stating her forecast for the future of construction careers, Brittany said, “Over the next 5 to 10 years, I expect construction jobs to become even more technology-driven, with greater demand for people who are comfortable with digital tools, data, coordination platforms, and evolving project delivery methods. At the same time, the industry will still need people with strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, because those qualities will always matter. And here at Davie Construction, I’m sure many of the faces will be the same as the ones you see today. They may look a little older, but they’ll also have attained many years of career development.”
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