Independent LawnMowing Contractors Of Australia Forum

Thread: Things that make me grumpy

  1. #3421
    Senior Member BSD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Let him go, he's a compo case waiting to happen.
    Quote Originally Posted by joeymoey View Post
    So I put a new guy on to try and knock over our backlog.

    Tuesday rocks up at 7.30 as requested all the usual training things that I needed to do - loading line, re-fueling, technique, safety equipment etc. - Works well
    Wednesday rocks up at 7.30 as requested - Works ok
    Thursday rocks up at 7.45 15 mins late
    Spends an hour of the day smoking (I docked him) - however the time lost getting back into rhythm etc
    Friday rocks up at 8.00 30 mins late
    Flips the mower completely upside down for some unknown reason?
    Doesn't obey orders (Don't open gate at the tip, don't tip mower upside down, don't mow while people are walking past)
    Find out the night before he was out till 3am. WTF?

    What would fellow contractors do?
    He's fresh out of high school so I'm contemplating whether to spend the time and shape him up and give him the lemon and sarse.

  2. #3422
    Senior Member glassngrass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    An employer that retains an employee who habitually ignores safe work practices and defies instructions is a huge liability waiting to happen.
    If he (or someone else gets hurt), YOU kept him on knowing full well he was a danger. The employee won't get blamed, YOU will.

    (I am not a lawyer)

    http://www.business.vic.gov.au/hirin...staff-properly

    Fair reasons to terminate

    There are many fair reasons to terminate an employee's contract, including:

    • poor performance
    • misconduct
    • dangerous behaviour
    • refusing to follow instructions
    • no further need for the position (retrenchment or redundancy).

    By following proper process and observing employer legal obligations around notice and reason should help minimise claims of unfair dismissal.
    David
    Mr Sparkle Car Spa

  3. #3423
    Senior Member kevinsuzanne's Avatar
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    mildura,victoria
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Things that make me grumpy Re:- the elderly getting ripped off by a certain high pressure telephone marketing
    scam for selling water saving mulch and potting mix costing approx $160.00 for 8 to 10 bags delivered when l
    can get a ute load for $40-.

  4. #3424
    Senior Member BeetleJuice's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by joeymoey View Post
    So I put a new guy on to try and knock over our backlog.

    Tuesday rocks up at 7.30 as requested all the usual training things that I needed to do - loading line, re-fueling, technique, safety equipment etc. - Works well
    Wednesday rocks up at 7.30 as requested - Works ok
    Thursday rocks up at 7.45 15 mins late
    Spends an hour of the day smoking (I docked him) - however the time lost getting back into rhythm etc
    Friday rocks up at 8.00 30 mins late
    Flips the mower completely upside down for some unknown reason?
    Doesn't obey orders (Don't open gate at the tip, don't tip mower upside down, don't mow while people are walking past)
    Find out the night before he was out till 3am. WTF?

    What would fellow contractors do?
    He's fresh out of high school so I'm contemplating whether to spend the time and shape him up and give him the lemon and sarse.
    fresh out of high school
    Well...there's your problem

  5. #3425
    Senior Member BeetleJuice's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by joeymoey View Post
    So I put a new guy on to try and knock over our backlog.

    Tuesday rocks up at 7.30 as requested all the usual training things that I needed to do - loading line, re-fueling, technique, safety equipment etc. - Works well
    Wednesday rocks up at 7.30 as requested - Works ok
    Thursday rocks up at 7.45 15 mins late
    Spends an hour of the day smoking (I docked him) - however the time lost getting back into rhythm etc
    Friday rocks up at 8.00 30 mins late
    Flips the mower completely upside down for some unknown reason?
    Doesn't obey orders (Don't open gate at the tip, don't tip mower upside down, don't mow while people are walking past)
    Find out the night before he was out till 3am. WTF?

    What would fellow contractors do?
    He's fresh out of high school so I'm contemplating whether to spend the time and shape him up and give him the lemon and sarse.
    fresh out of high school
    Well...there's your problem
    He was only playing with tonka toys a few years ago

  6. #3426

    Thumbs down Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by joeymoey View Post
    So I put a new guy on to try and knock over our backlog.

    Tuesday rocks up at 7.30 as requested all the usual training things that I needed to do - loading line, re-fueling, technique, safety equipment etc. - Works well
    Wednesday rocks up at 7.30 as requested - Works ok
    Thursday rocks up at 7.45 15 mins late
    Spends an hour of the day smoking (I docked him) - however the time lost getting back into rhythm etc
    Friday rocks up at 8.00 30 mins late
    Flips the mower completely upside down for some unknown reason?
    Doesn't obey orders (Don't open gate at the tip, don't tip mower upside down, don't mow while people are walking past)
    Find out the night before he was out till 3am. WTF?

    What would fellow contractors do?
    He's fresh out of high school so I'm contemplating whether to spend the time and shape him up and give him the lemon and sarse.
    You should know in the first day or two if you have a good one.
    They are most definitely capable of being trained and productive but usually if they have the basic training first - I mean the type of stuff they get at home from mum and dad

  7. #3427
    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    The problem is that kids don't mow the lawn anymore. Between fakebook and xbox they just don't have the time

    Jason Forrest
    Fair Dinkum Lawn & Garden Care
    Servicing St Clair, Erskine Park, Colyton, South St Marys
    0407 435 642


    fairdinkumlawns.com.au

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  8. #3428
    Member Vic joeymoey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    I gave him the lemon and sarse tonight. Hopefully once I've paid him, that'll be the last time I need to see him.
    Less stress for me. Time to find a new recruit

    Just to set the record straight, there are some great young people who are workers or in business, I am one of them.

    I started when I was 12, Dad said if you want money go out and work for it - something I'm thankful that he taught me. Bought a $50 mower and started.
    Now I've got three employees plus myself and hopefully a 4th once I find another worker.
    I know I'm an exception to the rule, however some young people are goers some aren't. Like some middle age people, like some elderly people.
    I turned 20 last Monday.

    Thanks for all your feedback guys, it confirmed what my gut said and what other friends said to me.

    Quote Originally Posted by BeetleJuice View Post
    fresh out of high school
    Well...there's your problem
    He was only playing with tonka toys a few years ago

  9. #3429
    Member of forum Stump's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by joeymoey View Post
    I gave him the lemon and sarse tonight. Hopefully once I've paid him, that'll be the last time I need to see him.
    Less stress for me. Time to find a new recruit

    Just to set the record straight, there are some great young people who are workers or in business, I am one of them.

    I started when I was 12, Dad said if you want money go out and work for it - something I'm thankful that he taught me. Bought a $50 mower and started.
    Now I've got three employees plus myself and hopefully a 4th once I find another worker.
    I know I'm an exception to the rule, however some young people are goers some aren't. Like some middle age people, like some elderly people.
    I turned 20 last Monday.

    Thanks for all your feedback guys, it confirmed what my gut said and what other friends said to me.
    One thing I learnt fast was don't muck around trying to change people. Set the rules early and explain the consequences. After that, its their job to lose if they choose. The faster that you find the good one, the better.
    I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather.....not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car!!!

  10. #3430
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Stump View Post
    One thing I learnt fast was don't muck around trying to change people. Set the rules early and explain the consequences. After that, its their job to lose if they choose. The faster that you find the good one, the better.
    Exactly. !!!
    Cheers Fred.

  11. #3431
    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Just saw an ad for an Ipswich/Springfield (Brisbane) based mowing guy doing rubbish removals for $40 and yards for mowed for $35 and offering every 4th mow for free. Is it just me or is there something wrong with that business model...

  12. #3432
    Senior Member sterlo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    Just saw an ad for an Ipswich/Springfield (Brisbane) based mowing guy doing rubbish removals for $40 and yards for mowed for $35 and offering every 4th mow for free. Is it just me or is there something wrong with that business model...
    Dunno, but I didn't like paying Qantas for air travel until Virgin came along (and we know that Qantas is now pharked).....what's really good for this guy is that you saw and noticed his ad.

    Sterlo
    I spend most of my money on beer and horses, I just waste the rest....


    http://www.sterlinggardenservices.com/

  13. #3433
    Member of forum SM MOWING's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Good customers know they have to pay for good service and a quality job, anyone can charge low rates but if they arnt operating after one season or a few weeks it's because they arnt running a business
    Independent and i know it

  14. #3434
    Senior Member sterlo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by SM MOWING View Post
    Good customers know they have to pay for good service and a quality job, anyone can charge low rates but if they arnt operating after one season or a few weeks it's because they arnt running a business
    yes to an extent, or compete and thrive or miss out on new business and die.

    not sayin drop all your rates, but maybe just a little on new ones just to stay afloat, cause even though we all know the new guy will fall there will be 2 new ones to take his place, maybe your area just cant sustain quality work at your rates, pick your battles and be rewarded by its spoils. we do work in less affluent areas and if we don't wont it we quote our regular rate but if it suits us we just quote the rate for the area and get fed.

    Sterlo
    I spend most of my money on beer and horses, I just waste the rest....


    http://www.sterlinggardenservices.com/

  15. #3435
    Senior Member geoff's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by sterlo View Post
    yes to an extent, or compete and thrive or miss out on new business and die.

    not sayin drop all your rates, but maybe just a little on new ones just to stay afloat, cause even though we all know the new guy will fall there will be 2 new ones to take his place, maybe your area just cant sustain quality work at your rates, pick your battles and be rewarded by its spoils. we do work in less affluent areas and if we don't wont it we quote our regular rate but if it suits us we just quote the rate for the area and get fed.

    Sterlo
    Very very wise words'could not said it any better myself , " pick your battles and be rewarded by its spoils"a quote that should be in the lawn mower manual ....

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