Foreman wages

[michaelp711]

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I am a bi-lingual, spanish fluent non-hispanic (american) who has been working as a Commercial Maintenance Foreman for a large landscape company in the Raleigh NC area for almost a year now. I currently run a 4 man crew, and stand as the lead person in translating to the nearly 98% hispanic staff. I am versed in almost every facet of the industry, from flouroculture and install to turf maintenance and IPM.

Despite being considered a 'salary' employee after my original 90 days, I am required to work no less than 40 hours every week, or I am docked pay for hours not worked. I am also expected to work overtime, but am paid in 'chinese overtime' once I pass 40. Last week I had 61 hours total, (21 overtime) and only earned 90.00, which seems a bit outmif kilter.

I am curious to know what other companies are offering in salary or an hourly wage in comparison to what I am earning, as well as what is typical for overtime wages?

I am not looking for another job, as much as I just want to know where I stand in the industry, and if Monday needs to be the day to sit down and chat with my personnel person.

Any guidance would help...

m

[Splicer]

To me...'salary' means 40 hours...If you work 60 hours...you should get nothing more. If you work 35 hours...you should get nothing less...Sounds like your employer is playing both sides of the coin to me...In other words...what is best for them...Good luck monday morning.

[Duekster]

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I am a bi-lingual, spanish fluent non-hispanic (american) who has been working as a Commercial Maintenance Foreman for a large landscape company in the Raleigh NC area for almost a year now. I currently run a 4 man crew, and stand as the lead person in translating to the nearly 98% hispanic staff. I am versed in almost every facet of the industry, from flouroculture and install to turf maintenance and IPM.

Despite being considered a 'salary' employee after my original 90 days, I am required to work no less than 40 hours every week, or I am docked pay for hours not worked. I am also expected to work overtime, but am paid in 'chinese overtime' once I pass 40. Last week I had 61 hours total, (21 overtime) and only earned 90.00, which seems a bit outmif kilter.

I am curious to know what other companies are offering in salary or an hourly wage in comparison to what I am earning, as well as what is typical for overtime wages?

I am not looking for another job, as much as I just want to know where I stand in the industry, and if Monday needs to be the day to sit down and chat with my personnel person.

Any guidance would help...

m

Me too. I know they can pay like 1/2 time ( not time and a half) to salary people but I am not sure about the requirements. I think there are some minimum base wage requirements and other things involved.

I would look at the NC larbor department and or the UE website to make sure.

[michaelp711]

Thank you...I appreciate the advice. I too believe they are playing both sides of the coin, but what are other foreman making in salary, 26,000-30,000 a year? 12, 13, 14 dollars an hour? Curious to know how I rate in concern to others.

[Duekster]

Thank you...I appreciate the advice. I too believe they are playing both sides of the coin, but what are other foreman making in salary, 26,000-30,000 a year? 12, 13, 14 dollars an hour? Curious to know how I rate in concern to others.


I would think that is about right but again it depends on exact duties, how many people supervised and last but not least. Region of the country.

I had a guy come in yesterday, with 15 years or more experiance that has supervised small contruction and instalation jobs and he required $600 per week or $31K.

[michaelp711]

Thank you again for the information...I agree, it is region and duties...I guess I am just trying to make sense of what looks to be the short end of the stick for me...its not that I make a bad rate of pay, its simply a matter of overtime and how I feel a bit used.

[mikecaldwell1204]

do you work for vc?

[Tony Clifton]

Come on down to Wilmington and I will pay you what you deserve. Who are you working for up there?

[michaelp711]

I am reluctant to say, because my heart is with the company I am with but the whole pay thing has me confused.

[HEM]

Listen, talk to your boss and get it figured out. With your skills and experience, I would start you at $14/hour minimum. If you are salaried, that's $560/wk. Not sure I understand what you said earlier. Am I correct in saying that you worked 61 hours and your paycheck was $90? Surely not.

[MudslinginFX4]

Michael, you need to sit down with your boss. If it's one of the larger companies around the area, I'm sure I know the owner of who you are with. Express your concern, and also listen to what they have to say. When I have done salary in the past, my guys would work 50-60 hours in March-December and then in Jan & Feb they would only work around 30-35. They get paid the same year round, except with very similar chinese overtime as you. However, during the winter they get no deductions. I don't have anyone on salary at the time though, all of my foreman are mexican and I can't quite get them to understand the concept of getting paid less in the summer and more in the winter. I will be cutting hours very soon though because overtime on hourly eats up lots of money real fast.

[michaelp711]

Cameron,

Thanks for the advice...I appreciate it. I would love to sit down with my boss, but feel that they aren't going to budge on the overtime and how it is paid. My question here was simply what other foreman were making and if I was in the ballpark, yet from what few have said so...I look to be making what everyone else is.

[RedWingsDet]

If you are a forman and a translator, you should be getting $12-$15 for being a forman, and around here you could get ANOTHER $15 or so an hour for being a translator.

All depends on the market though and if alot of people in your area can speak both languages.

[Tony Clifton]

11-12 bucks an hour (starting) and time and a half for overtime here.

[MudslinginFX4]

11-12 bucks an hour (starting) and time and a half for overtime here.

I agree, maybe a little more being there a year and knowing both English and Spanish.

[kootoomootoo]

Since you do 98% of the translation have him translate this for you when you leave.

[mikecaldwell1204]

Down here in Florida I'd say you would be around $14-15 an hour with time and a half down here. I work for Valleycrest and they treat there employees pretty good. Also in the summer there is unlimited overtime so its kinda nice to get that fat paycheck for 5 months. I know Valleycrest is in your area up there, if your employer is not willing to come up with the pay give them a try if your not already working for them lol.

[JLL25]

I'm a foreman in the midwest and I make about 13.50 with time and a half for anything over 80 hours in two weeks. I work a hell of a lot of hours, as do most of us here I'm sure. I am not bilingual, dont really do any landscaping and I have 5 years experience. I do lawncare, tree work and sometimes I spray when that position is empty. For me I guess I'd say that an attention to detail and a sense of urgency goes a long way.

[dmc337]

Now keep in mind this ad I found in the classified is not a foreman...

Description: LANDSCAPE INSTALLER experienced, all facets of landscape installing including personal management, 12 month salary $60,000 +. Truck, Medical, Dental, Vacation, Holidays. Call 973-540-0487

Found in our Help Wanted category.

Found in Pocono Record Classifieds 4/18/2007

http://www.poconorecord.com

[Duekster]

Keep in mind too, a landscape installer is going to make more money for the company than a maintenance foreman.

maintenance is pretty cut throat with less margins.

[michaelp711]

Wow, thanks for everyones comments. It seems that I too am making what everyone else in the area is making out there...so, that makes me feel good.

We have the hours for overtime here too, especially since our annual flowers are going in in the coming weeks. When you start to push 60 and 70 hours a week, its when that chinese overtime starts to grate on the nerves.

Again, thank you everyone for your comments...

[Lawn-kid]

WOW you guys are making alot of money a year. The company I work for pays me no were near that much a year. I am a lawn foreman with 1 or 2 worker working with me we mow 60 lawn per week, I also take care of some of the minor maintenance on the mowers do fertilizer and weed control and help mulch when I am done with everything else. I usually put in any were from 80 to 95 hours every 2 weeks