I hired the WRONG people today. Simple tasks/chores were asked, most were started and never finished. One room looks great but now we have twice as much to put back together besides cleaning up/putting away/reassembling everywhere else. I hired them for 2 days. This first morning went great. After 12 (noon) one appeared to be inebriated. I am so naive ....... It took me another hour after babysitting him on how turn on the vacuum, and them him spraying my expensive bug repellet on weeds after repeated requests to spray window/ door screens/door perimeters til I realized after I saw him stumbling. The inept/incompetent/inibriated guys made themselves scarce after lunch, the other two worked for a few more hours (all four car pooled). I paid the inept ones only for the morning work. So much extra work for me and DH to put back together or rework/rewash for the after lunch chores. They will not be back tomorrow or ever again.
Depressing not to be able to find decent help ! Possibly look for recommendations or find a couple of kids from the grocery store. Booze or drugs just keeps you worrying.
Wildwest, I feel your pain! So, this kid calls me about a week and a half ago and said he wants a job. I hire a laborer for the summer to help the guys and just help out. So, first day out we went to demo a bathroom for a remodel job for a good past customer. Third job we are doing for these folks. I was working with him because the guys had other the plumber was scheduled in two days. Oh boy, never cut anything with a saw, was afraid of the saw and had one gear... slow. But, he was a polite young man. Then on Thursday, had some adhesive to remove off a tool trailer that is going down the road because we just don't use it much anymore. I thought I asked him to clean out a hog confinement pen. So, at the end of the day he says to me, "this is really harder than I thought, I think I should be paid more...? We'll he isn't the first that can't cut it and he won't be the last. So, I told him. Turn in your time the bookeeper is in on Tuesday and we'll send you your check. I have come to believe that sometimes they watch it on tv and think that it goes as fast as it does on tv. Newsflash: young generation: "Rome wasn't built in a day, it takes hard work."
Wow, wildwest that really stinks- I agree w/ pql1 in that recommendations are the way to go- angie's list or maybe a local church even? I had a young coworker to help me stack firewood a few years ago... Worked side by side with him, showed him(repeatedly) how to crib up the ends of the stack... I went to visit my folks, asked him to put up >1/2 cord of fresh splits while I was gone- had to restack the whole thing when I got home! But he helped me build my woodshed; his job was to hold the "smart" end of the tape measure
It seems the younger (mine included) generations seem to think they are entitled to something. What it is I am not sure of. I was taught that no matter what the job you do the best you can. I am not above any job. If someone see's fit to pay you to do something you should do it right.
I have an advantage, in that I work for a college, and know the students pretty well. I know who is honest, who works well, who has certain skills, who needs the money, etc. I had two of them over today, and they worked in the sun for 8 hours, got the trim painted on my garage, some wood (rounds) moved in from the woods (the last of it for this year), and some heavy construction materials put away. I paid them a fair wage and gave them lunch, and they worked hard for me. We were all happy at the end of the day, and they offered to work again any time I wanted. Good kids. All in all, a good deal for everyone. Greg
I agree with calling the church. Do you have neighbors who have work done for them? Know any high school teachers who know who is good at what they do.
Do you have any handyman service companies near you? They may not be the cheapest, but they are usually small franchises or individually owned companies that may be licensed and insured. They depend a lot on positive customer feedback and a bad reputation gets around quick. We have a few in the area that run clean and professional looking vans. My other thought is to see if there is a retired facilities or maintenance guy looking for some extra work. Good luck to ya.
Wildwest, I have been thinking about your situation for the better part of the day. You were right when you said, "you hired the WRONG people." We all make those mistakes. There are alot of good people that are looking for an honest days pay for an honest days pay. As bushpilot pointed out. This morning like most Saturday mornings I have a nice Hmong fella help me on Saturday mornings for 3-4 hours. We do everything, he is a good worker, always takes the heavy end and is pleasant to be around. I told my wife that I get more done with Joe on Saturday mornings than by myself in a day and a half. Today we worked only 3 hours he had to take his son to a birthday party at 1:00. He is eager to learn. So, like others have said here don't give up just keep the antenna up to see who might be good. You might have to do some coaching because sometimes age does not equate to knowledge and your method or desire to have things done in a certain way. Enuf said. Good Luck,
Interviewed a kid once that said he had to have Wednesdays off to play softball.Have heard of many people hiring someone and they never show up for work or quit within the first week. Gary
As my weld instructors told me at tech school, if your employer wants you to push a broom for a day, push the damm broom for a day! They said you'll be the highest paid janitor in the shop for a day, no-one is above any work unless maybe you're the one signing the checks
Wow, I just realized that my post was a pretty rotten follow-up to yours! Sorry about that, it sounded like I was rubbing it in. But what I was trying to do was encourage you, that better situations can be found. Good luck next time! Greg
Shaggy, I have signed the checks for 24 years. Let me say this, " I never ask anyone to do anything I wouldn't do or have done."
