Workforce stability in uncertain times

RCS Influencer Wendy Marvin says supporting your crew through uncertain times isn’t just sound business, it reflects heart of the businesses we’re working to build.

The job doesn’t wait for anyone. Crews show up lunch bags in hand, ready to climb. But something has shifted in the quiet before work begins. There’s a tension, a worry that follows some workers from the moment they leave home, through the commute and onto the jobsite. Who will they see today? Will someone show up when they stop for gas? What happens to their families if something goes wrong.

For many Latino roofing workers, these aren’t abstract concerns. They’re lurking in the background of every single day. Our skilled tradespeople, men and women who have spent years mastering one of the most physically demanding crafts in construction, now carry a weight most of us won’t fully understand, yet we can choose to acknowledge.

Families are having conversations at the kitchen table no one should ever have, quietly explaining to children what to do if a parent doesn’t come home. Labor shortages have long been a part of our trade, but the current climate around immigration enforcement has added a layer of pain that no staffing plan can fully address. As owners we have more influence over this daily experience than we might realize.

Culture is the foundation

One of the most valuable things we can do right now costs nothing. Slow down, be present and acknowledge what our crews and their families are going through. Call a brief meeting and keep the message simple – We value you, we’repaying attention and you’re not alone.

Good culture reveals itself in moments like this. It’s not a holiday party, or a branded company t-shirt. It’s whether our people feel like they matter to us when things are painful. For many businesses, this is a defining moment.

Engage with the broader community

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has been a reliable resource for owners navigating compliance questions and workforce challenges. Their legal guidance, practical advice, industry updates and peer connections are genuinely useful tools. Many resources addressing these issues are free.

Local roofing association chapters and community organizations are also valuable resources where owners can connect with peers and share valuable information and insights. There is quiet power knowing others share similar burdens and supporting finding solutions together.

Practical steps worth taking now 

• Know your legal rights and requirements: Connect with your community, state and industry associations to form an understanding of immigration compliance. Gather good information to bring clarity both in protecting your business and understanding how to support your team with confidence.
• Audit your I-9 documentation: Create policies and procedures to turn this into routine business housekeeping rather than reactive panic. Give your staff solid ground which will in turn reduce unnecessary exposure and provide confidence.
• Connect crew members with bilingual legal resources: Many workers may not be aware of their basic rights during an enforcement interaction. Bringing in a legal aid organization for a “know your rights” conversation can provide relief and strengthen the trust with your organization.
• Work out job site protocols in advance: If enforcement officials ever arrive on site have a practiced and clear plan already in place. Knowledge and protocol support staff in uncertain situations. Walking through situations ahead of time brings more stability and less chaos.

Moving forward together

Supporting your crew through uncertain times isn’t just sound business, it reflects heart of the businesses we’re working to build. Owners who invest in their roofing family will come out of this period with teams that are stronger, more loyaland more connected than before.

This kind of foundation, built during hard times, tends to withstand time.