Maybe it's me and not them...

GotWood

GotWood

Sayer of Fact
Joined
Jan 12, 2007
Location
Maiden, NC
Rant on/

Going to have the very last talk with an employee tomorrow about his performance. The good, he's always on time but that's about it. He has worked for me for over 4 months and still can't seem to comprehend the most basic aspects of the job. Hardwood flooring isn't the easiest in the world physically but it's not rocket surgery. Cover a 2 dimensional surface, sand with the grain, cleanliness is paramount. For some reason he can't figure it out. The most basic of all tasks would be close the windows and lock the doors before you leave a customers house. Over the past three weeks he has left windows and doors open/unlocked on multiple houses and I've threatened to fire him the next time. Today he called as he was leaving the job to let me know what progress he had made and laughingly reported that all windows and doors were secure. When I stopped by later that day I discovered that the front door which he had gone in and out of all day was left unlocked.

I am beside myself. He is a nice enough guy but I guess he is just an... well I don't know. Anyway he is 40 years old, I can't babysit all day on the job but I can't have a liability. I want to give him one more chance but we literally just went through this talk Monday. I think I'm going to send him home tomorrow when he shows up for work/payday. I have to give him money every week for gas/lunch and I pay him through lunch anyway. I'm going to stop that, no more money in the middle of the week and no more paid lunch. It he needs gas money on Monday (and Wednesday like this week) I'm just going to cut a check and tell him to come back the following Monday and try again if he wants

So, am I just a dick? What if you went to your boss every week and asked for an advanced or two, would you get it? If you were just in the office on Monday and committed the same interaction again on Thursday would you expect to keep your job?

Rant off....
 
I would cut the cord, I've worked with some guys I think are great but they just weren't cut out for what we do.

I installed my own hardwood floor and it is hard work but fairly simple. I'd get him gone before he damages your company name. That's hard to recover from.
 
Some people learn the hard way. Some people never learn. You made a mistake by threatening to fire him "next time it happens." Now you have to follow through. If you don't, any threats from here will be considered empty. It's obvious he's not cut out for the work. Maybe not cut out for work in general. What he does from here isn't your business. Your business is installing sweet hardwoods and making customers happy. I understand you want to help somebody out and hope he can turn it around, but it sounds like he's been through this a thousand times in the past. You're just another employer along the way. He's more used to being fired than you are to firing people, and that's sad.

I've taken on too many charity cases through my life, mostly as friends, and you usually end up more hurt than anything else. The only thing I can hope is that I made some small difference in their lives, although it never feels that way when you have to cut ties with them to save your own life and sanity. As a successful, or even semi-successful business owner, you knew this day was coming some time. It's always easier when they drift off and it works itself out, but he's not going to learn anything that way. Convince yourself you're doing him a favor by letting him go.
 
Do you have a replacement in mind? Has work slowed down to the point you can handle it on your own until you can find a capable replacement?

I would plan to babysit until you can find a replacement if you have work lined up. Unless it continues to get worse.

As far as paying through lunch & advancements on payroll, That shit would never have started.. Payday is payday & if your not working your not getting paid.
 
Jeff B said:
Do you have a replacement in mind? Has work slowed down to the point you can handle it on your own until you can find a capable replacement?

I would plan to babysit until you can find a replacement if you have work lined up. Unless it continues to get worse.

As far as paying through lunch & advancements on payroll, That shit would never have started.. Payday is payday & if your not working your not getting paid.
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Work doesn't ever slow down it seems. I don't have time to babysit and I especially can't try to train 2 people at the same time. I actually had a customer just last week make the comment that I was faster without my helper! As I've said before, this place is a revolving door...
 
You have to fall back on this question with any Employee: Do they make us better? (ie the company) It's as simple yet as difficult as that. I could font all day regarding the difficulties of finding good Employees.
 
It's time to cut ties with him. Not to be judgmental but it's easy to assume he must have some pill problem or like the bottle too much, which is why he can't manage his money and has the brain of a 15 year old. I've seen guys like that, it's like they never grow up/mature and cant seem to get it together.
I agree with above, you've threatened the "next time..." you must follow thru. He has probably been thru this a dozen times, and is expecting it. He's just riding this thing out long as he can.
 
Terminate.

Stop wasting your time and money. Unless of course you are a charity. In which case, I'd love $20.

But seriously, get rid of him. Finding/training new people sucks, but not as much as having your reputation/business/etc. run through the gutter because you were "too nice" to do the right thing.
 
GotWood said:
Work doesn't ever slow down it seems. I don't have time to babysit and I especially can't try to train 2 people at the same time. I actually had a customer just last week make the comment that I was faster without my helper! As I've said before, this place is a revolving door...
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You just answered your own question my friend.

revolve the door and begin again...
 
I've been in similar situations with contingent workers I manage. Let him go now before there is a huge issue.
 
I hate firing people. This guy is 40 years old, just bought a newer truck and has a family. I don't think he's a drunk for sure, don't think he's a pill head, but he does smoke pot. I don't think pot is the problem because I know plenty of cronic put heads that hold good jobs. I think he just doesn't comprehend.

But the deed is done, he was apologetic but seemed to understand the situation. He left without any problems. I would still give him a good reference and told him that, but don't leave him alone with any responsibility.

With that said, anyone looking for a job?:rolleyes:
 
catfishblues said:
You made a mistake by threatening to fire him "next time it happens." Now you have to follow through. If you don't, any threats from here will be considered empty.
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These are VERY true words. I tell the wife at least once a week the same thing with the kids. You can tell them your gonna woop them if they do it again and not follow through. They will loose all respect for you and your words if you don't.
 
NCJeeplover said:
These are VERY true words. I tell the wife at least once a week the same thing with the kids. You can tell them your gonna woop them if they do it again and not follow through. They will loose all respect for you and your words if you don't.
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I know what you mean. Mine has a bad habit of counting to 3, then just yelling again. I don't often make it to 3.
 
What's the guys work experience/history like? If he's been doing flooring for a while, he's probably just developed a cocky edge. Happens all the time and its a hard habit to break.
 
Clarification: if a person does ANY trade for long enough
 
Sounds like you did what you had to do....both parties better off, before resentment set in.
 
GotWood said:
I hate firing people. This guy is 40 years old, just bought a newer truck and has a family. I don't think he's a drunk for sure, don't think he's a pill head, but he does smoke pot. I don't think pot is the problem because I know plenty of cronic put heads that hold good jobs. I think he just doesn't comprehend.

But the deed is done, he was apologetic but seemed to understand the situation. He left without any problems. I would still give him a good reference and told him that, but don't leave him alone with any responsibility.

With that said, anyone looking for a job?:rolleyes:
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If you just need someone to come lock doors and windows, my wife could use a job :p
 
Learn this.
You have blessed him (and the next one) with a job.
That is the end of the blessing. From here on out it is a business transaction. No advances, no money til payday. None.
If his dog died, or his car, or his dealer raised the prices it doesnt matter. Tough shit.

Can you ask your customers for advances befopre you finish the job?
 
Be thankful. This situation is much harder if family. I know first hand.

If you let someone go, you can always come back later and re-hire at appropriate pay level and just use part time ONLY during emergencies. That's what I do with my bro-in-law. He's always there when I get desperate. But his pay is a tad lower than I started him at. He's all good with it.
 
You are not a dick, he fired himself....

Multiple times from the sound of it....

Anything less and you might as well make him a partner...
 
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