[svlandscape]

Last Friday one of my guys quit with no notice and said he had to go because it is too hot here. (100-120F!) I tell my other guys to be on the look out for someone to replace him. Well on Wednesday I recieve a call from, "Joe." I tell him the position available, what the starting pay is, what I would expect from this person that I need hire, etc. "Joe" just happens to work for another LCO in town who I have known for a few years. I even worked for this LCO before I went on my own about two years ago but left him because he did not pay well, I was using my personal truck on the job and a bunch of other things that I won't even get in to but we remained friends and would do favors for each other on ocasion. I also park my dump trailer on his parking lot (he is a lawn and power equipment dealer) and pay him rent for it.

Well this LCO called yesterday saying that "Joe" was right there with him and was quitting to go work for me and wanted to know why I would steal his employee, that it was not right that I was calling "Joe" to offer him a job! I tell him I did not call "Joe", he called me! I did not offer him a job, I just told him the position was open, the pay, etc.

Today as I pulled up to his parking lot to park my dump trailer, he comes up to me and tells me that he was upset that I was trying to steal his guys and that all his employees were saying that yeah, I was trying to steal some of his guys, blah, blah, blah.
Told me to get my trailers of his property,etc

Sorry about the long post but I had to vent. What to you guys think about this?

 

[tiedeman]

I am kind of confused...both of you share the property?

But I look at it this way, the guy could have made a counter offer to guy. I feel that if he didn't make a counter off to him then it is one of two things or both.

1. Either he didn't care about his employees.
2. The employee wasn't that great of a worker to make a counter offer to

 

[GLAN]

sv sorry that you lost your parking.

You'll find a better place.......

 

[dvmcmrhp52]

Thats probably why you got the call.The employee told his boss he was leaving unless he got more money and his boss made a counter offer.This employee will most likely be looking for other work sometime soon.

 

[svlandscape]

The property belongs to him, it is a large commercial building where he has his lawnmower shop and runs his landscape business out of. I just rent a couple of parking spaces for my trailers because I can't have them at my house, the city code enforcement officers know me by name already.

As far as a counter offer, I don't know If he made Joe one or not but this LCO just about went nuts about this because he took it very personal that I would even talk to his employee! The way I look at it, everyone has a right to work where they want if the money is better, working conditions are better, etc.

 

[svlandscape]

What really ticked me off was that Joe said I called him which as a bunch of BS! I take pride in being honest and taking pride in my work and can't stand it when people lie about stupid little things.

Joe was lying in order to protect his but because if he would have admitted that he called me, he would of been canned!

 

[dvmcmrhp52]

I can never deny a person a better spot in life even if it is my own employee.Sometimes the grass just does grow a little greener elsewhere.Always do what you can for employees but sometimes there is a better deal waiting to be had.

 

[Turf Medic]

Originally posted by svlandscape
What really ticked me off was that Joe said I called him which as a bunch of BS! I take pride in being honest and taking pride in my work and can't stand it when people lie about stupid little things.

Joe was lying in order to protect his but because if he would have admitted that he called me, he would of been canned!

So my question is this. Is Joe working for you now?

 

[tiedeman]

I can see where you are going with this Turf Medic and I agree...he wouldn't be working for me if he lied right off from the start. Someone that you can't trust

 

[Evan528]

I can fully understand your friend getting mad. I have severak good friends in this business and wouldnt take it too well if they offerd a job to one of my employees. If one of my buddies employees came to me looking to work for my company (has happened before) I would call my friend and ask him what he situation is with this guy. Never would I screw a friend over though and leave him understaffed and in a jam.

 

[lawnman_scott]

I wouldnt hire someone who lied before getting hired, on the other hand Lincoln freed the slaves with the emancipation proclamation, had a war over it and everything. Some beleive its still going on down here.

 

[svlandscape]

Turf Medic

No this guy is not working for me and I did not offer him a job. I think he assumed he would be hired if he guit his current job.

 

[Rustic Goat]

Just wondering, do you always give phone interviews and quote pay scales on those calls. I realize it may be easier/quicker that way, but have always felt person to person interview best, and only talk pay scale toward the end.

Turnover is a pain, but a reality. Milton-Bradley wishes they had as many games as these folks play. Truly good people will stick.

 

[maple city]

Just wondering, do you always give phone interviews and quote pay scales on those calls. I realize it may be easier/quicker that way, but have always felt person to person interview best, and only talk pay scale toward the end.

I don't think there is anything unprofessional about discussing the pay rate on the phone prior to an interview. I don't consider that an interview, just an information call.

If I were a person seeking a job, I would like the pay information and job requirements before I go through all the hassle of an interview.

If you are seeking a job that pays $10.00/hr. and you find out from a phone call that the starting wage is $6.00/hr., you can rule out this job and save yourself and the potential employer a lot of trouble. It's also nice to know what your duties would be and the hours you would be expected to work.

I wouldn't touch "JOE" with a 10-foot pole. He doesn't know how to be faithful to his employer. As soon as a better deal comes along, he'll leave his boss high and dry. Also, he's proven he'll lie to better his position in life.

 

[DUSTYCEDAR]

ma by u should have talked to his boss because u were renting space off him and appearing to steal a employee is bad for you're business. then none of this would have happend u and the land loard would be on the same page no he said he said crap.

 

[Rustic Goat]

Maple,
Chill a bit would ya, who said anything about unprofessional anything?????????
I realize each have our own way of dealing with different matters in our biz process, I was asking a question if you'll note.

 

[John Allin]

Did ya find a spot for the trailers ??

That seems to be the important thing, to me anyway.....

 

[DennisF]

Sounds like Joe is making a play for more pay!

 

[dvmcmrhp52]

That is exactly what he was doing.

 

[svlandscape]

Originally posted by John Allin
Did ya find a spot for the trailers ??

That seems to be the important thing, to me anyway.....

Yeah, to me that is the important thing, but as of today I have not found a place to park my dump trailer. I have to be careful where I do park it because with the heat out here the grass clippings really start to stink after about a day in the sun. :blob2:

I do think he was making a play for more money from his boss. If it was one of his other employees that I do not know personally, how am I supposed to know that he works for this LCO? If I have a position available, whoever calls will get the same info!