Labour is one of your most valuable resources, your human resource. 
In order to achieve the best results from labour, the first requirement is to have a positive, working relationship.
There will be a hierarchy, but small teams of three or four work best, with a respectful team leader reporting to a divisional or general manager.
Respect means honouring each individual member of the team for their special values, maintaining a productive work ethic, and adhering to business aims and policies. Bullying, prejudice, inequality and humiliation are out. Fairness, equality, and a safe working environment engender a happy and productive labour force.
Personal development
Encourage advancement. Personal development for each one of your workers is important. This includes:
- motivation, goal-setting and skill training. Where appropriate, this may mean formal training in theory and practice through a training institution.
- health and safety training needs to be a critical part of this. A safe workplace will bring out the best in workers, while of course ensuring the best possible chance your workers will be safe.
- regular performance reviews should be part of your programme managing labour, providing feedback regarding both individual and business performance. This also allows staff to promote a point of view they may have.
- advocacy is important. There may be times when a staff member wishes to raise an issue, but would prefer to use a third party. In larger businesses the acceptance of a third party advocate to address such a situation may be helpful. Managers should encourage this. It will help bring simmering unsettledness to the surface and address frustrations of labour.
Labour entitlements
Be familiar with labour entitlements in your industry. Be respectful of the personal life important to each one of your labour force. Personal and leisure time is valuable to each individual. Do all you can to cater for this.
Job description
When employing staff provide a clear job description to cover work duties and expectations. A suggestion is to provide a six-month or seasonal contract initially. This allows both parties, employer and employee, to respectfully discontinue the employment arrangement if the relationship proves unsatisfactory. An extension to a 12 month contract is a possibility if there is still uncertainty after six months.
A happy workplace is a productive workplace. A business is its people. Employing the right people and encouraging advancement is a big step towards a successful business.