[tthomass]

Vacation benefit I have in mind for a current employee. This person makes a good assistant foreman.

Salary.........12 months

-7 paid holidays
-week of Christmas to New Years closed and paid
-40hrs paid time off

Opinion? Thats 17 days.......3 weeks + 2 days, paid.

 

[Lite4]

When can I start? Seems very generous. I hope he is a good employee.

 

[SuperDuty335]

That sounds reasonable to me... unless he gets paid crap. Valuable employees won't hang around unless they think they are getting an appropriate wage, regardless of benefits. I've seen it happen time after time. Throw in paid medical, dental and life and I might send my application!:walking:

 

[DVS Hardscaper]

thats exactly how I used to do it.

Just be careful with the Christmas thing. We used to always shut down 1 week during that time period. But for the last two years we've been too busy to be able to shut down. That time period is tough because you never know what the weather will do. If January is approaching and we have work, we're going to do all we can to complete it before snow falls. So if you promise Chrismas season off, and you have a big job bto complete (and one day you WILL) - then you just shot yourself in the foot.

 

[Majesticman]

My guys are paid by the sq foot. No sq. feet. No pay. They make plenty and are happy.

Please don't ask how much. My competitors are waiting with baited breath to get some of my employees.

 

[tthomass]

His wage is assistant foreman level........foreman are just that, foreman with the ability to execute timely and with leadership........thats just not him, but he'd be a good assistant foreman.

No, I shut down that week. I drive 4hrs south to my parents house and I relax. Last year I took 6 weeks off starting with Christmas, played around on the farm with my Bobcat and just did whatever I wanted.........I needed it, I was burned out. A customer would have to surrender their fat bank account #'s to me for me to work. If I have a big job at that time I will just make it known we are closed for the holidays......period. Two companies ago......they grossed $50mil last year and that is where I picked up the Christmas - New Years deal. They only come out if it snows.

On an additional note I'm working on incentives and adding health insurance. I'm not a "man hour" company......I'm a "day" company. There is no such thing as a 1/4 or 1/3 or 1/2 day......its 1 day. I spec jobs by the # of days so on a smaller job it may be hard to beat the schedule for a "bonus" but I'll figure something out. One thing I do is if you're on time each day.....well at the end of the month I'll fill up your tank with the company fleet fuel card. Employee is happy for free gas and I write it off my taxes. I buy a good bit of food for us too. One day I recall a couple months ago was a pretty slack day so we pulled into IHOP and got breakfast on the way to the job. Maybe I run to Home Depot/Lowes while the guys are on the job.....no big deal grabbing a few drinks at the register at a whopping $1 each.

Yes, it comes down to what they are bringing in each week. It can be a happy place with lots of little things but when it comes down to it, what does that check say each week........

 

[mrusk]

tthomas man where do I pick up a application?!?! rwf seems like a great company to work for!

 

[bonerigo.1]

This is definately a tricky situation. From my standpoint, with 4.5 employees, each person definately wants to have higher pay. They would rather go without vacation for higher pay. Watch how much you give and give and give and give, only to have them disagree with the one time you don't give. They will leave you feeling broke and used. We try and celebrate sucess rather than celebrate showing up. If a goal is met lunch may be given. I am more than willing to pay for drinks on a regular basis; but if you buy for one you usually have to buy for all. (on the same job) I just recommend that each person is given just enough to make them feel special and you are still left with a fat enough wallet to provide the next in line with the same "specialness." Because at some point you may end up starting all over with a mostly new crew and the same circular pattern will develop.

 

[tthomass]

This is definately a tricky situation. From my standpoint, with 4.5 employees, each person definately wants to have higher pay. They would rather go without vacation for higher pay. Watch how much you give and give and give and give, only to have them disagree with the one time you don't give. They will leave you feeling broke and used. We try and celebrate sucess rather than celebrate showing up. If a goal is met lunch may be given. I am more than willing to pay for drinks on a regular basis; but if you buy for one you usually have to buy for all. (on the same job) I just recommend that each person is given just enough to make them feel special and you are still left with a fat enough wallet to provide the next in line with the same "specialness." Because at some point you may end up starting all over with a mostly new crew and the same circular pattern will develop.

Agreed. I don't hold hands all day but I like to try and provide what I can from benefits. I am though very tempted to do as you mentioned and starting with a clean slate as I need a foreman and that could mean just hiring a crew vs trying to get people to work together.