If this employer doesn't value you enough to complete the paperwork for apprenticeship and pay you on time then he isn't someone you should entrust your personal safety to or learn the trade from. It can be tricky when someone like this is likeable so don't let that cloud this situation. Eventually there will come a time that he asks you to do something unsafe either because he needs the money or doesn't have the good judgment to see that it isn't safe and you'll be forced to say no to him anyways. A bridge to nowhere still goes nowhere whether it's burned or not. Just be honest, clear and levelheaded when you tell him you got to go and the rest is on him.
In Need of Advice on Tricky Situation With Employer As a Young Tree Worker.
- Thread starter ArbMyles
- Start date
Ya unfortunately I never really knew that they were poor practices untill I did some schooling and realized what the hell we were doing! Like holy shit a bunch of the shit we were doing was wrong!
SomethingWitty
Arkansawyer
- Location
- LR
It's everywhere. Even most of the better companies still whack much larger branches than necessary instead of insisting on doing what will best serve the tree and the tree owner. (Even if it is only a little bit better for the tree than the course chosen)
Anyway, the point is that you should keep in mind that you're probably not going to find a company that is 100% in line with what you are reading. That doesn't necessarily make them hacks. Being idealistic and broke is not as reasonable as being rational and flexible and gainfully employed.
That guy is a hack. Lots of companies try to do good work. Very few companies have the balls to not pay a climber for work he has done, even in Canada.
I think I've found two other possible companies that I've been in contact with and I just need to pull the trigger. Thanks for your response!
cerviarborist
Very stable member
- Location
- Florida, USA
When considering whether you're burning a bridge.. you should also consider whether the terrain on that backward path is actually worth ever visiting again in the future. Honestly you've spent pages itemizing the myriad deficiencies in this party, and then agonizing that they might not take you back sometime in the future. Unless you've got some kind of serious self esteem issues, see what the rest of the world and your life have in store for you. If you do have self esteem issues, see a psychiatrist, not a hack tree service operator who has problems making payroll.
Fivepoints
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- East of Huntsville, AL
Be professional. 3 weeks notice is more than most expect. 2 is kinda the norm. If that burns a bridge, there was no avoiding it anyway. Sounds like that place has some real problems.
ghostice
Been here a while
This may sound kinda over the top, but I would do the resignation, with 2-3 weeks notice as above, in writing, mail him a copy to the office ( we used double registered or what they call registered with return - they have to sign for it) and hand him a copy if he wants to talk about it. You can add "Registered With Return" to the top of the letter. This will make "he said, I said" easier down the road and give you something to show next employer. Always be business like and factual with dates, etc. You are leaving his company with cause and that has legal status. And if you want to make him sweat a bit, include up near the top right hand side of the first page the capitalized words "Without Prejudice". This guy sounds like a doofus not making paydays repeatedly - that's a huge, huge red flag as an employer.
I always said that in my little company, I might not be able down the road to pay all the pensions or other benefits that big employers could afford (I'm talking multinationals here) but what I could give those starting out was a neat place to learn without fault and maybe a place where years down the road they would be working for a bigger outfit or running one on their own, but they could still look back and remember their times with our company and think, "Gee, that was the neatest place i've ever worked . . . ". Hope you find a place like that.
Best of luck.
I always said that in my little company, I might not be able down the road to pay all the pensions or other benefits that big employers could afford (I'm talking multinationals here) but what I could give those starting out was a neat place to learn without fault and maybe a place where years down the road they would be working for a bigger outfit or running one on their own, but they could still look back and remember their times with our company and think, "Gee, that was the neatest place i've ever worked . . . ". Hope you find a place like that.
Best of luck.
JeffGu
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Osceola, Nebraska
You don't need to burn any bridges. What you need is some chunks of concrete to weigh the body down, so people standing on the bridge don't see it floating by.
- Location
- Sonoma county
It doesn’t matter if he freaks out , he doesn’t have your interests in his sights for a second. Or he would have seen a willing and able guy who is very interested. Which is usually the best employee. He doesn’t care about best practices, tree health or his his employees being paid on time or future goals. Find a small tree company and interview the employers as well find a good tree guy who knows a lot and is looking for a solid employee who is invested. You will be a huge asset to somebody and they will reward you with knowledge and helping accomplish goals in advancement
deevo
Been here a while
- Location
- Horseshoe Valley, Ontario, Canada
Yeah good plan, I know there are some other decent companies around by where you are. I took on a student from Fleming for this season recently. Good luck keep us posted !
