The cost of half an hour.

[Gareth Dalzell]

We run an annualised hours system were we work longer hours in the summer and reduced in the winter but get paid the same year around. Averages out at 38/39 hours a week

[Paul Jenks]

Operations start at 0700 and nominally finish at 1600.

Office is from 0800 to 1800ish.

My team choose to work with me. They are free to leave or stay. I endeavour to create a place of excellence, learning, growth and trust. This nourishes them and they choose their workmates, not me.

They are an awesome group of people and they have my respect. I do my best for them, (sometimes I fail), they do their best for the clients, (sometimes they fail) and the clients do their best for us, (sometimes, though rarely, they fail).

It's working so far and I see no reason for it not to continue.

[likeitorlumpit]

Treatment of staff is a very tricky thing to find a happy medium.

If you are really nice to them all the time they get used to it as they forget what it was like being treated like a skivvy.

They then start to expect more and in turn, feel under valued. There is then no room for the employer to manoeuvre because he already does his best.

 

I know that treating them like dirt, making them scared of you and making them feel like they'll be sacked at any moment produces a good result for the business.

However, I'm a small business and work on site with my staff. I enjoy a calm atmosphere so I try to be nice to the guys but it has ended badly for me almost every time.

 

 

Sent with my iPhone from me, to you!

 

Thats because you treat them like friends- that is a huge mistake for them and you.

[rayzor]

Interesting read!!!

I think its very much a double edged sword as in if you treat your workers right - you should be treated right back , its a shame that some people take the micky!!

But as a Employer or employee its good to work in harmony if you can..

Good men / women workers are to be looked after , no workers= no job done or do it yourself and probably struggle!!

As a employee you have your vehicle and equipment checks / PPE and planning for the job ahead in which gear to take!!

Then there is the risk assessments before and when you get on site / which as we all know are changing all the time!!!

Working on the highway , there is the Chapter 8 signing and guarding - if you are qualified and doing your own , this takes time planning and more risk assessments!!!

Your break times including your wash times if you are to stay withing the law ( unless on emergency work ) have to be taken into account...

After the job , to make sure all is safe , back depot to clean / sharpen / and make sure all kit is fit and secure for the next day!!!

Surprising where the time adds up with it all , and some jobs employers expect to be done in the operatives own time - you go to work to earn a living and to remember a good work relationship goes both ways!!

This business , if you dont like it sod off just means you will end up losing good men / women who will tell possible perspective employees to stay away!!!

I have learn t in 27 years for working for one company that you soon learn who your good staff are and to look after them like they look after you!!

Edited December 22, 2013 by rayzor

[hedgesparrow]

Shame your banned, I'd like to have had a discussion with you on staff welfare and motivation.

We pay for a full 3-4 course restaurant meal most days for our staff.

If not, a huge baguette and a sticky bun.

We also have a modest slush fund for bonus payments, presents and nights out.

Ty

 

you sound like my old boss god rest his soul we worked hard driving 50k plus ayear he let us have the use of the vans for private use and every christmas he would take s away for the weekend in a flashy hotel witha theme. plus got paid a bonus on how many calls we did in a week. earnt good money then and was prepared to work. when he sold up new lot bonus atopped nothing for christmas. gess what did we bust a gut no way started 8.30 finished 5.30pm at home. and cleaned van and did stock checks in there time not mine unlike the old days.

[treesap]

Interesting read!!!

I think its very much a double edged sword as in if you treat your workers right - you should be treated right back , its a shame that some people take the micky!!

But as a Employer or employee its good to work in harmony if you can..

Good men / women workers are to be looked after , no workers= no job done or do it yourself and probably struggle!!

As a employee you have your vehicle and equipment checks / PPE and planning for the job ahead in which gear to take!!

Then there is the risk assessments before and when you get on site / which as we all know are changing all the time!!!

Working on the highway , there is the Chapter 8 signing and guarding - if you are qualified and doing your own , this takes time planning and more risk assessments!!!

Your break times including your wash times if you are to stay withing the law ( unless on emergency work ) have to be taken into account...

After the job , to make sure all is safe , back depot to clean / sharpen / and make sure all kit is fit and secure for the next day!!!

Surprising where the time adds up with it all , and some jobs employers expect to be done in the operatives own time - you go to work to earn a living and to remember a good work relationship goes both ways!!

This business , if you dont like it sod off just means you will end up losing good men / women who will tell possible perspective employees to stay away!!!

I have learn t in 27 years for working for one company that you soon learn who your good staff are and to look after them like they look after you!!

 

Spot on.

[kongtrees]

I pay my guys a day rate, I give them the work sheet / sheets and let them know how long it will take i.e I expect it done in a day or two days or whatever. They have a start time to be on site that is realistic and if they want to get coffee, eat, have a cigarette, go to the chippy then that is fine as long as the work is done within the number of days allocated. Its never failed to work for me.

 

Tree work is not a business that employees can work 9-5, as an employer how would you feel if they left all the tidying up to do the following morning because they had "run out of time"? Its swings and roundabouts. I'm fair with them, the're fair with me the work gets done.

 

It seems too many employers on here feel the need to rule with an iron fist, do you not trust your staff? In which case should you be employing those staff?

[Will C]

we run a laid back ship, start at a sensible 8 finish when done some days i get a long day from them, some days they get a short day and still get paid. As far as food goes if they need food they get food, Man is a machine that needs feeding, i don't expect the chipper to work with no diesel so why ask a good bloke to work with out a sandwich???

[Mark Bolam]

Like it Will.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Johny Walker]

we run a laid back ship, start at a sensible 8 finish when done some days i get a long day from them, some days they get a short day and still get paid. As far as food goes if they need food they get food, Man is a machine that needs feeding, i don't expect the chipper to work with no diesel so why ask a good bloke to work with out a sandwich???

 

seems ok, but as long as they bring a pacup, no ruuning to the bakers 10mins before lunch time in a company motor