Hi guys, I've not been on for a while but I am still here. Had a really busy summer so not really had time.
I've bitten the bullet and decided to emply a member of staff, its been a hard slog this summer and I need to take the business forward so an extra pair of hands is essential.
I will be employing a time served landscaper that is up for a new challenge.
Does anybody have any words of advise for me?
Would anyone be kind enough to send me a draft copy of a contract that is specifically geared towards an employee in our line of business?
Any pitfalls I need to watch out for?
I'm sure there are plenty of you that have made this step before, i'd like to learn from you all in the good and bad of a situation like this.
Many thanks
Jim
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Replies
Not a lot of people 'get' what its like working for a one man band. Team work is essential and most very good scapers are working for themselves.
There are good workers out there but finding the one that suites your business isnt easy.
Good luck in your search.
PS: being busy as a one man operator is very different keeping 2 men busy for 40-50 hours a week through the spring and summer and rember winter can be lean
Never a truer word spoken good luck anyway my friend
Thanks for the reply Brian. I have got through a lot of work this summer on my own but I can't sustain that for ever, my body would be knackered! There have been too many times where 2 men would have been much more productive. Sometimes I just can't really price competitively being on my own as something take a lot longer with only one pair of hands.
I know I have lost out on work too, due to being booked up all summer.
Not had chance to update my website and other things so hopefully I will be able to get on with that stuff too.
I have worked with the lad I have offered a job to before, but plan to put him on a 6 month fixed term contract to begin with just to make sure it all works out.
Thanks Andrew
Brian www.mibservices.co.uk said:
We employ three lads for our driveways. One has been with us for 8 years the other for about 9 months the other fairly new. I think one of the first key things is to trial/temp them! That way you get to "try before you buy" so to speak! Our lads seem to be a good little teamat present - hardworking and reliable - and we regularly get letters of appreciation about the lads.
This pension entitlement thing may well be a problem for small businesses so you do need to be very careful. All the news seems to talk about protecting the employee very often at the cost of a small business employer.
ive had various ones, but the best has been the first one i took on from school, 6 years ago. He is now capable of doing much of the work. About two years after i took him on i took on one of his mates who had done temporary work for me. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to see them doing work ive trained them to do to a high standard with a good level of care (and know they are earning me money and i dont have to do as much of teh hard graft as i used to!). Ive had other ones who have been as much use as a chocoloate teapot.
You know when you get good ones pretty quickly and when they turn up to the job, walk away get everything they need without being told and just crack on with it. Once you get a decent one, look after them. Little shows of appreciation go a long way, such as the odd breakfast or small bonus, however dont forget you are the boss and dont let them forget it. Dont be afraid to say what you have to say when something needs sorting and clear the air afterwards so theres no lingering anomosity. do everything by the book with them as well when it comes to holidays, etc etc. i dont pay mine sick pay other than statutory and its amazing how much it concentrates the mind to get people out of bed.
If you think hiring a good one is tough wait till you have to go through firing a crap one for the first time!