Starting out in a warehouse as a gig worker can be confusing and intimidating at first, as you may have never worked in this way or under these kinds of conditions before. Fortunately, you can find professional and personal success through this line of work with the right attitude, whether you are jumping into your first gig or have many completed assignments under your belt.
Succeeding in your new flex labor warehousing job means knowing how to exceed the expectations of the employers bringing you in for assignments. With that in mind, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you begin this new chapter of your warehousing career.
Follow Safety Precautions
As a gig worker in the warehousing industry, your ability to perform specialized tasks is your greatest asset, so you should do everything in your power to protect yourself from avoidable injuries. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of workplace accidents is by reading, remembering, and following the safety precautions for every warehouse you work in.
While some safety precautions are standard across all warehouses, others are unique to specific types of work. For instance, there may be specially marked paths on the floor for forklifts that you, as a worker on foot, need to stay clear of, or certain safety gear you will need to perform different tasks. Whatever regulations apply for a gig, you should familiarize yourself with them as quickly as possible and make sure to follow them from start to finish on your assignment.
Remain Flexible While Working
For the most part, gig warehouse workers are brought on to fill whatever roles a warehouse manager needs filled on a given workday, so the exact tasks you are asked to perform may vary significantly from one job to the next. Because of this, one of the most important qualities a successful flex worker can have is adaptability to new situations.
Whether you are asked to follow a particular picking pattern you are not familiar with or perform a task in a way that differs from a previous job, it is generally best practice to follow your temp employer’s instructions as closely as possible. Even if doing something a certain way has worked for you in the past, it may run counter to your temp employer’s expectations, and that could inhibit your prospects for future gig work not only with that particular employer, but with others in similar industries as well.
Be Proactive and Positive
Above all, it is essential for gig workers to maintain a positive attitude if they want to succeed in their new flex labor warehousing job. It is advisable to make a habit of being punctual, professional, and motivated to meet whatever needs your temp employers have. Importantly, no matter how much or how little experience you have, never be afraid to ask questions about what is expected of you and how you can best complete your assigned tasks.