Hiring extra labor

tomstrees · Oct 9, 2020

How do you find labor in a labor intensive business, and try to do it legally? This problem caused me among other challenges to bow out of tree and landscape work in the early 2000s. I have seen numerous businesses continue to hire illegal workers as regulations and compliance are still weak. I don't see anyone nabbed for hiring illegals. A local city even put up a "labor pick up" sign under the I95 underpass around 20 years ago. They know these are illegal workers. Many property owners are there in the early am trying to bargain with Hispanics for $60-$80 a day, maybe sometimes more. Contractors pick them up. I have refused to do this for 15 years being disgusted by the social consequences. Are there solutions to the illegal labor issue? I know one service that was hiring illegal labor, got in trouble for dropping a tree on a Guatemalan, killing him, and insurance covered the claim. He said he was "trying out" prospective employees which is not an honest position.

How would you try to get legal workers? I have hired workers through Labor Ready and Manpower with very mixed results. It's a grab bag and tree work and landscaping require physically robust workers.

Reach · Oct 9, 2020

We hire only legal workers, which is difficult. We advertise locally, and online, and have recently signed with a recruiter to fill a couple positions for us.

evo · Oct 10, 2020

tomstrees said:
How do you find labor in a labor intensive business, and try to do it legally? This problem caused me among other challenges to bow out of tree and landscape work in the early 2000s. I have seen numerous businesses continue to hire illegal workers as regulations and compliance are still weak. I don't see anyone nabbed for hiring illegals. A local city even put up a "labor pick up" sign under the I95 underpass around 20 years ago. They know these are illegal workers. Many property owners are there in the early am trying to bargain with Hispanics for $60-$80 a day, maybe sometimes more. Contractors pick them up. I have refused to do this for 15 years being disgusted by the social consequences. Are there solutions to the illegal labor issue? I know one service that was hiring illegal labor, got in trouble for dropping a tree on a Guatemalan, killing him, and insurance covered the claim. He said he was "trying out" prospective employees which is not an honest position.

How would you try to get legal workers? I have hired workers through Labor Ready and Manpower with very mixed results. It's a grab bag and tree work and landscaping require physically robust workers.

simple solution... Sponsor them as a employer and pay a living wage

southsoundtree · Oct 10, 2020

Buy iron, as much as possible.

tomstrees · Oct 11, 2020

But what if you don't have enough work to hire full time? How do you get occasional workers legally?

Reach · Oct 11, 2020

Some random brainstorming:

Put the word out that you’re looking for occasional help around the community, and keep a list of semi-retired folk who would be interested in an occasional day of work. Call your local community or technical college and have them put up an ad for you. Post in the “gigs” section of Craigslist. Put up a post on social media pages. Make friends with a local landscaper who is starting out/working solo and could use some occasional extra work. Or if all else fails, use a staffing agency.

TreeVB · Oct 11, 2020

Make relationships with a few decent contract climbers in your area. Treat them well and BOOM, you're sorted!

Boomslang · Oct 11, 2020

High school students.

Fivepoints · Oct 12, 2020

Boomslang said:
High school students.

Unless they are 18 it's illegal to have them run a chainsaw, chipper, etc. Better check with your insurance too. Ours wouldn't allow it.

tomstrees · Oct 12, 2020

I would never let workers run power equipment, too risky.

A local guy hired an illegal and the guy intentionally put his finger webbing to be cut by a chain saw, just enough to create an accident that would heal, and sued the guy's company!

GrumpyTree · Oct 13, 2020

by you saying I95, I'm assuming you are on the East Coast. In MA we have Labor/People Ready, Try giving them a call to find day labor here and there. We have done it in the past just to help with storm work clean up (rake and load small stuff into the truck only)
Edit: If you are in MA try calling Stockbridge to see if any students need some work here and there.

Sfoppema · Oct 28, 2020

GrumpyTree said:
by you saying I95, I'm assuming you are on the East Coast. In MA we have Labor/People Ready, Try giving them a call to find day labor here and there. We have done it in the past just to help with storm work clean up (rake and load small stuff into the truck only)
Edit: If you are in MA try calling Stockbridge to see if any students need some work here and there.

Kyle is that you??