Downsizing

[2eyedcyclone]

Hi Guys
Just thought i would give my 2 cents worth
I am the offsider for my bosses business, i would like to think i am a bit better than the kind of people you describe. having recently gone through the process of trying to employ another full timer i have to say it is a freaking nightmare.
I hate belting up on my own generation but i think its clear things have changed!
cheers

[Mrs HMS]

Don't take it personally 2EC. Everyone will admit that if you get a good offsider they are worth their weight in gold. It's unfortunate they are so difficult to come by apparently.

[ian]

good employees have always been hard to find you just have to remember when you do find one to treat them well

[PhilG]

We have had employees for the past couple of years. The bad ones are now gone and we are left with great ones which are 100% reliable. We also have a subbie who works 2 days a week, he is not 100% reliable.

[Classic Cut]

My offsider is the best, I pay her zip and she works hard. Listens to what I say whilst on the job and best of all we have fun.

Of course it is my Mrs, so really I think I work for nothing because I hand over all the cash at the end of the day. We work together 3 days a week, and the other 2 1/2 she works in her own business as a hairdresser.

[AJD Mowing]

My offsider is the best, I pay her zip and she works hard. Listens to what I say whilst on the job and best of all we have fun.

Of course it is my Mrs, so really I think I work for nothing because I hand over all the cash at the end of the day. We work together 3 days a week, and the other 2 1/2 she works in her own business as a hairdresser.

I did that with my wife from 1997-2000 we were on the gold coast at the time there was this one job we did every week around mid day that was owned by Japanese and only came once a year the rest of the time was vacant so we would skinny dip in the pool LOL had a lot of fun...

[bb1]

I have had offsiders for the past 4 years, 1st year had a great one, but he was good so didnt stay. the next 2 were average, and one poor. This year decided to run by myself, dropped a few jobs (PITAS, etc). And once you consider wages for the offsider, I am doing just marginally better this year. So thinking will do the same next spring again.

[HPM]

G,day Mark.
Sounds like a good idea to downsize and work on your own but I,d suggest you keep the rideon. Or loan it to me for a few years....its easy money. Pm me if your serious about selling it.
Good luck Dan. ( relaxing in Thailand)

[bb1]

G,day Mark.
Sounds like a good idea to downsize and work on your own but I,d suggest you keep the rideon. Or loan it to me for a few years....its easy money. Pm me if your serious about selling it.
Good luck Dan. ( relaxing in Thailand)

I agree, when I downsized, I definitely kept the rideon and dumped the harder hand mows, in fact I have even increased the number f ride on clients.

[petethemowerman]

HI all
Been employing people of sorts for past 25 years now and found the secret PAY EM LEAN , KEEPS EM KEEN
Seems a bit harsh but have had over the years some really decent guys that prove they are worth a payrise and get one. Otherwise Centrelink only pays 50% of the average wage , let em know where the line up starts....
Cheers Pete Hope this helps

[NLALM]

Ok an update on this I have ditched most of my real bad jobs and picked up more than I have got rid of. I flicked one last week and on the way to the next job picked one up that is much better than the one I flicked so much for downsizing I need to learn to say no. All the ones I have put the price up on there have been no complaints. So I still need an offsider at this stage, my nephew has been helping out and he is going alright but it's not something he wants to do long term. So again I need to re asses my situation I think I will keep the walker at this stage, now that I am having this forced time off due to the hamstring I have some time to think about the direction I want to take. Whether to stay small and go solo or get bigger. There is a business for sale here that runs 2 crews all the vehicles and gear for 80 grand I'm even checking this out as it would be a way to get off the tools. I could run that until I retire but I don't think I will last that long on the tools. Any more thoughts from you guys that are employing guys and running more than one rig??????