Employee questions your actions.

[M&N Maintenance]

Okay here is the story guys, I have a long term employee that plows snow for me at this time and is my head guy during our normal season. I also have two other guys one that is a shoveler and the other is doesn't plow snow but is dedicated to my holiday lighting service. So we are currently taking down lights the weather was a real bear. Well I told them that they where all going to take down lights. So the first day we could go out I sent out only two guys because the two locations they were going to take down were far and I did not want to pay for three guys travel time.
Well this guy calls me and goes on a rant saying why didn't I send him, I tell him at first was that he would go the next day with one guy. Then on Monday all three would go together. He must have not understood that for whatever reason. So he goes on telling me he has more time there than the other guys. He should have gone, I tell him you plow snow you make good money the other guy has not worked. He tells me I don't care you should have sent me with him. I have more time here then he does. He also tells me that he was told by someone that the other guys check was just about the same as his and that he should not be making more then him.
At this point I'm pissed I tell him that I don't care what he thinks, he should not be worried about anybody else but him self and that I don't have to give him a reason or justify to him what my decisions are also if I am paying the other guy more money, witch I am not, I should not have to okay it with him.

I'm sure there is more but my point is where does this guy get off I am the owner not him. I have put up with alot from this guy. He has been with me for a long time probably 10yrs. I think that he thinks I can not go on with out him. Don't get me wrong he has some good points about him and he does produce. He is just like that egg sucking dog vaderkoi talks about.

What would you guys do in this case?

[StBalor]

Well to be honest, If he is your main guy and been with you for 10 years i think i would have sent him and kept 1 of the other guys home.
He is surely dedicated to you and your buisiness and you should be to him.
I think you may of hurt his feelings with this judgement call.
I would talk to him and admit you made a mistake and assure him it will not happen again.
But don't come off to soft or he may try to walk all over you.

[paradise32258]

tell him hes lucky hes getting what hes getting, everybody needs to eat right now.

[CLARK LAWN]

I agree with StBalor. If he is your main guy and been there for 10 years you probably should have had him work first. he was probably pissed that he was passed over on work that by all rights should have been his.

[CLARK LAWN]

tell him hes lucky hes getting what hes getting, everybody needs to eat right now.

keep that attitude and see how long you keep employees around

[paradise32258]

keep that attitude and see how long you keep employees around

yea , about that i guess ive learned the hard way it doesnt matter how good you take care of certain employees some of them will want more and more, if the guy is making money plowing snow and the guy isnt making hardly any money then it seems right to spread the work load around . i as far as not retaining employees i dont take any crap from my guys . and the ones that respect me and understand that i sign their checks are the ones that i take care of even when it is slow , extra hrs cleaning the shop , trucks equip, etc. so employee retention is defianlty not a problem and in this market there is a ton of work force, you have to come to the realization that everyone is replacable. and as far as the guy is concerned he has to relizie that everyone needs to make a check right now.

[M&N Maintenance]

Look I know it may seem that the loyalty is there but we are talking about one day of work not a week or even a couple of days. There is more to this story as well I am sure someone out there has had that guy that doesnt think the rules apply to him. All in all I have myself to blame in the end by letting this get way out of hand. I do appreciate your comments as well.

[Tommy Boy]

I would call the guy in and have a sit down. Explain to him that whom you send is your decision and your decision only. I invite input and encourage team work, but bottom line I am the owner and who I send is my decision only.

If the guy is a good guy who had a loss of composure, after talking with him calmly, I would send him home after explaining what is expected from him and how we can get past this problem. I call it a decision day, I pay him and if he returns the next day, then that means that he agrees to the terms of employment, and I document the incident.
If he fails to return, we forward his final check that day unless he has company property. The decision is his, you set the rules, you say what is appropriate and what conduct or behavior is not.
Remain in intellect, and stay away from the emotion. Emotion will never serve you. Manage your employees or they will manage you, your choice.

[DLAWNS]

You have to run your business the way that you want and see fit. If he's been with you that long, than I probably would have sent him, also. BUT, he put himself in the wrong by confronting you the way that he did. He should have asked to talk and told you how he felt. I would suggest sitting down with him and tell him how things are going to be. Maybe you can work it out with him. If he thinks the rules don't apply to him, then see ya! Good luck!