In 5 years we have NEVER had a serious problem, and NEVER a complaint. Until 2 weeks ago. New employee was jerking around, and not sufficiently watering. Killed two rose bushes, then 2nd roof of the day killed some patches of grass. Needless to say, he doesn't work for me anymore. I refuse to accept or employ lazy, mediocre employees to represent my company.
Sounds like the guys I work with at "big Brown" .. they just want a pay check that's all. They are always bugging me about 'helping' me out when I get busy.... Never in a month of Sundays would I hire them.
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Prime Choice Power Wash LLC Roof Cleaning Kissimmee Florida
Employees are unfortunately a necessary evil. Most don't have any kind of passion for their job no matter what it is they are doing. I always gave 110% to every job I had, even when I worked as a bagger at the local supermarket when I was in high school.
I manage 17 employees at my other job and I can say with total confidence that you NEED to take care of your good hard working employees. It doesn't matter if the others feel like you favor some employees, the ones that feel that way wouldn't appreciate your generosity anyhow.
Good employees like to know that you appreciate them.
Take them to dinner.
Give them gift card to Restaurants, Malls, Home Depot, Gas Stations....
It doesn't have to be a lot to show that you appreciate them.
Tell them after a hard day of work that you really appreciate all of their effort.
Make sure you pay them a good wage. Don't let someone else convince them that the grass is greener somewhere else.
Talk to your employees. Let them know they have an open door to you all the time. You need them to feel comfortable about talking to you if there is a problem.
These are some valuable lessons I have learned while managing a large service based business.
Brian
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Brian Friel The Roof Cleaners llc Oxford PA 19363 610 842 2104
It truly is hard to find decent help. Although, we sometimes have to realize that we too have made mistakes in the past and WILL do so again. Afterall, we are only human. The guys that work for me do so with the understanding if a costly mistake that could have been prevented by them is made. The TOTAL cost for replacement or repair will be deducted from there income. When I hire an employee, they are carefully trained in all aspects of roof cleaning. From washing the trucks to servicing and repairing equipment and everything in between. They sign a non-compete agreement on day one. After they have went through our training process they sign off on training. I've only had to let one guy go for stopping at a local establishment in a company vehicle and consuming adult beverages. I do have an open door policy and make myself available to their concerns and needs, whether it be work related or personal. I often slide them $20.00 or so as a tip or by there lunch. My lead cleaner on a truck works on commission and his helper is paid hourly. This has worked out well for me. I furnish them with uniform shirts and Dickie shorts and they are required to clean their work truck inside and out, check equipment, oil levels, connections hoses, etc. every Thursday afternoon which is inpected by me before they are issued paychecks. After all, we are only as professional as we look.
Good help is out there. It is hard to find a job in todays market and plenty of folks are willing to work. It's just a matter of finding the right ones. I'm sure you will.
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Roofguard Shingle Cleaning & Sun-Brite Home Maintenance
I hear people say it's hard to find good help all the time. I have my own saying towards finding help. In alot of cases when someone says they can't find good help,.they should revise it to say: "I can't find good help for what I'm willing to pay".
Good help is easy to find,...good cheap help is a different story altogether. Offer enough incentive to potential employees and you will get good applications. Offer minimal pay and with no real incentives,...then you'll get that type of employee. Jeff
-- Edited by Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 05:25:09 AM
Ive found good help is hard to find cheap overpaid or other wise.
Most guys who are reliable and smart enough to do IT are normally doing IT for themselves.
Pay them fair. Teach them what You can. Then work them until they decide they are smarter than you and deserve more pay than you.
THEN tell them to go for it!
ie: but boss i know you just got a check for 500 on this job you ought to split it with me.... I deserve it! LOL
Help is all help is. Dont hurt yourself or your family looking out for someone whos only loyalty is their paycheck. Theres always more where they came from.