Firing too many Employees

[bjm95]

Do you ever wonder if you fire too many guys? I just fired my 2nd guy in about 6 weeks. They know what they need to do and I let them know if they are pushing it with bad attitudes etc.. but they don't seem to listen so I fire them. It's getting old and I wonder if there is something else I should do.

Thanks for the input.

[Patriot Services]

Re-evaluate your hiring/training practices.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Landscape Poet]

Originally Posted by Patriot Services

Re-evaluate your hiring/training practices.
Posted via Mobile Device

It always amazes me how threads like this drag on when the best answers is given in post number two .....and everyone ignores it. The very first place you should look when a employee fails.....is yourself and why you allowed them to be hired. The employee most likely did not come looking for employment with a goal of failing in mind.....but did you make sure he was set up for success first by hiring the right person and did you properly ensure you trained him properly.

[jrs.landscaping]

Originally Posted by Landscape Poet

It always amazes me how threads like this drag on when the best answers is given in post number two .....and everyone ignores it. The very first place you should look when a employee fails.....is yourself and why you allowed them to be hired. The employee most likely did not come looking for employment with a goal of failing in mind.....but did you make sure he was set up for success first by hiring the right person and did you properly ensure you trained him properly.

Sometimes it's hard though with an interview and then training period. We had one kid who knew his stuff but moved at a turtle pace. Another we hired worked great for three days, then he found out we didn't get out of work at 3 and that was the end of him. Sometimes it is the hiring parties fault, but other times the hired employee just isn't the right fit or they have different expectations than the employer.

[nobagger]

Originally Posted by bjm95

Do you ever wonder if you fire too many guys? I just fired my 2nd guy in about 6 weeks. They know what they need to do and I let them know if they are pushing it with bad attitudes etc.. but they don't seem to listen so I fire them. It's getting old and I wonder if there is something else I should do.

Thanks for the input.

LOL, welcome to the fun side of this business. We've been through 8 or 9 guys this year. Its a sign of the times, very few people both young and older have any type of work ethic. so many people these days think they're entitled. We just hired on 2 guys after the other 2 who were with us pretty much all summer just quite showing up. It doesn't faze me anymore, yes it's left us in a bind a few times but we got through it then moved on to "the next guy". This last batch of applicants looks very promising, even had a few guys call back multiple times which is a new thing for us. We started doing the normal interview then a working interview. I let them all know if it doesnt work out so long, no offense but things aren't going to work out. You can usually tell if they're going to work out or not in a matter of a day or so.

[94gt331]

Originally Posted by bjm95

Do you ever wonder if you fire too many guys? I just fired my 2nd guy in about 6 weeks. They know what they need to do and I let them know if they are pushing it with bad attitudes etc.. but they don't seem to listen so I fire them. It's getting old and I wonder if there is something else I should do.

Thanks for the input.

Whats there problems mostly, is it just there bad attitudes. If they have bad attitudes it's for the best that you get rid of them. That's most of my problem with my guys. I tell them not to complain and whine about stuff at the job because it brings everyone down, and it's disrespectful to me the boss i think. Unfortunately, i listen to there crap sometimes and let it slide just so we can keep getting work done.

[bjm95]

Originally Posted by 94gt331

Whats there problems mostly, is it just there bad attitudes. If they have bad attitudes it's for the best that you get rid of them. That's most of my problem with my guys. I tell them not to complain and whine about stuff at the job because it brings everyone down, and it's disrespectful to me the boss i think. Unfortunately, i listen to there crap sometimes and let it slide just so we can keep getting work done.

I do the same thing, I just let it go sometimes but then I get my fill and let them go. This last guy would bring his home problems to work, if he didn't get to mow when he wanted to, he would pout and work slow and just not talk or look at anyone. Like you said it brings guys down and everyone would walk on egg shells. Today was the last straw with a nother hissy fit from him,so I fired him.

[94gt331]

Originally Posted by bjm95

I do the same thing, I just let it go sometimes but then I get my fill and let them go. This last guy would bring his home problems to work, if he didn't get to mow when he wanted to, he would pout and work slow and just not talk or look at anyone. Like you said it brings guys down and everyone would walk on egg shells. Today was the last straw with a nother hissy fit from him,so I fired him.

Wow! Sounds exactly like the problems I had with a few guys this year as well. It must be the new generation of landscape and construction labors in general that act like this. Some of these guys just can't get there lives together and will be miserable at work. It is hard on me the boss, I allways feel like I have to baby my employees to keep everyone in the right attitude for work each day, that ends of leaving me with alot of uneeded stress. You sooner or lator have to get rid of those guys and just keep trying to find new guys. My new goal every year is to have a good solid crew for each season, by the end of the year I usually have to get new guys in thye spring, because most of my guys had enough of landscaping by the fall. Your not alone buddy, most guys on here will agree.

[NC Greenscaper]

Originally Posted by 94gt331

Wow! Sounds exactly like the problems I had with a few guys this year as well. It must be the new generation of landscape and construction labors in general that act like this. Some of these guys just can't get there lives together and will be miserable at work. It is hard on me the boss, I allways feel like I have to baby my employees to keep everyone in the right attitude for work each day, that ends of leaving me with alot of uneeded stress. You sooner or lator have to get rid of those guys and just keep trying to find new guys. My new goal every year is to have a good solid crew for each season, by the end of the year I usually have to get new guys in thye spring, because most of my guys had enough of landscaping by the fall. Your not alone buddy, most guys on here will agree.

I've had all the same problems and I spoken to many other businesses who have the same problems. I think it is a poor work ethic and many view these jobs as bottom of the barrel. The thing that I'm doing is trying to make the wage and job more attractive and harder to leave. I try to look at what it would be like in thier shoes. Create better systems that employees can get up to speed quicker and hold them accountable. I also want to make sure I do the basics of good hiring, things I don't have a habit of doing now, such as: checking references, checking experience, drug and driver license checks. If I had done these this summer I would not of hired all the 7-8 problems I hired who are longer around. However, realistically, I'm not sure I had any applications that would've passed the bar. A few that I hired would have good references and drug and license checks I'm sure but they were the ones that couldn't handle the work and heat in July.

I got a text from an uncle of an employee last night that said, his nephew Mr. employee will need the next few days (unsure of how many) to handle some personal matters. I told him to tell the employee to take the whole next week off and then call me before returning. If I can do without him for a week, I can probadly do without him for a couple.

The way that I look at this is its just like any other issue that I have to work through. I've got a few good employees so first Im going to make sure they stay and when I get another hold onto him as well.

[jsslawncare]

Doesn't apply to me since I'm solo but I was thinking maybe I fire too many customer's. I'll think about it tomorrow while cutting and get back with you.