Man hour's.

Re: Man hour\'s.

We do 5 10 hour days, when the work load slows in the winter we'll usually run 4 10's, and maybe mix in a day of training or just shop work to keep guys off unemployment. I know that the OT kills, seeing as your payroll goes up, but you're still only charging X dollars per hour per man, so the bottom line is cut in to.

As an employee I obviously enjoy the OT, but I also relish the extra day off per week when we go to 4 day weeks, but after the snow storm this year, we'll be slammed till spring, probably pruning hangers till the leaves come back out. I completely understand the business side of it, OT costs and all, so I could go either way really. I'm in at 6am, leave about 5pm as a foreman, we usually strive for 7-7.5 hours of site time if a single job for the day.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

I do 4 10s in the summer & 5 8s in the winter due to the lack of light & climbing all bundled up in the ice & snow can take alot out of you. I get alot more done on 10s plus Its a 3 day weekend but it is nice to switch it up.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

We've been trying 4 10s and it works pretty well. We do run some fifth days now as the season is going strong. Especially helps with getting some jobs finished and not having to go back the next day, also with picking up a small job early or late for a crew.
We'll be evaluating it in a few weeks, but it seems to have helped out this year.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

I worked 4 10's for a year and a half. If managed properly it can be more productive and can save money. Money savings is more in fuel, drive time, fuelling stops, unauthorized coffee/lunch stops, etc..
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

I talked with an arbo in College Station, TX who shifted to 4-10's with an interesting twist.

M-Th...Friday and the following Monday off
T-F...Weekend off

Every other weekend was four days. His crew liked it.

If weather was bad or workload was up they would shuffle things. What he found was that there was more production and less overtime this way. It might not work for everyone but he and his crew liked it a lot.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

4 - 10's for sure. M-R is the days that are scheduled. Our housekeeping stuff is done on Monday morning including safety meeting, truck inventory, fine tooth comb on equipment.

We have pretty bad traffic that that plan fits better with.

Additionally, it gives some flexibility in scheduling for rain. Friday is the rain day for the week.

OT is brutal on the payroll numbers.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

We bust our asses too hard to work 10 hour days. I personally feel, it will catch up to you. Those last 2 hours of the day you are the most fatigued and most likely to have an accident.
No reason or benefit IMO.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

It depends on what is done during those hours.

My friend's crew were already working ten's. This is in College Station during the summer...central Texas...+100 degree days are routine for days on end

In my friends case he found that the last hours of the day were involved with dumping, getting gear ready for the next day.

His crew liked the plan and stayed with it. By having four day weekends they were more rested and ready to put in the longer hours.

He tracked his costs and production. For him, maybe not anyone else, it worked out very well. It depends on the crew and how they are managed too.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

How many hours to work during a day are always a touchy subject for me. On average, I think I actually only get 6 hours of steady work on a 10 hour day. 3 in traffic, hour for lunch. I get a little upset when I hear complaints about a long day because almost half their time is spent being a passenger and sleeping on the way to the job...

If they were to work an 8 hour day, we would spend the same 3 in traffic and one for lunch... Net 4 hours labor...

My wife says I should only pay for the actual time spent on the job. Yeah, that would be great, but illegal.

I have tried everything under the sun to get more efficiency - nothing seems to motivate. At least when I am working them 10's I get 60% work out of their time.

I even tried this:
IF the hours are reflective of the proposal to within 95%, including travel, yard time and disposal time - 10% of the job to the crew as a bonus provided there are no oopsies AND the job passes my inspection. Has to be an average that works out on your work package (1-5 jobs)- I had one day last year that it was paid out. I rarely miss the hours on a job if I am present and working. I think that that is a significant offer...

I can definitely see fatigue being a factor with accidents.

Rushing through is another big one.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

Its hard for me to imagine only working 40hrs. I would not know what to do with the rest of the week. I don't think we have worked under 50hrs a week in years. This year with storm damage everywhere it was more like 75+ hrs a week. But we are a mostly family crew with a "get it done" attitude.

It I was only working 40hrs a week. I guess I would go with the 4-10hr days. Just not sure what I would do with the other 3 days in the week.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

Today was nice went out and started the trucks at 7 left for the job at 730 back home at 430...

I pay my workers for lunch everyday all year long, so most days are 10 hours.

When we need to get going to finish I have them take a break while I set things up or something, and if anyone skips lunch its me.

We work hard everyday and are really a team. its nice.

I do all the climbing and when I come down I help clean up,
this keeps me involved and my cost structure under control.

as we put the saws and stuff away for the day we fuel up and get ready for the next day.

Thats how we do it.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

I'm glad this thread was started. I was wondering how other employers and employees liked the idea.

This year we grew as a company and did I ever feel it with the O.T. pay, pay roll taxes, W.C. insurance!!!

For many years I've thought of the 4-10 work week, but didn't have nearly the O.T. as 2011 brought me. And now I'm now serious about it.

With much observation I've always been convinced that we get 6 hours of production per 8 hour day. Would it be fair to say I could gt 8 hours of production out of a 10 hour day?

It also shows me that if my guys are getting too much O.T. I'll hire another person. It would be cheaper to have an additional person than paying the O.T. rates.

I think March will be a good time to start this 4-10 work week for us.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

We do 4-10's and work Friday and/or Saturday weather dependent. I think 4-10's is the way to go. The crew I run we don't take a lunch we eat in the free time we have during the day, it saves that whole hour of just sitting there and eating. Everyone is happy with this arrangement and it works for us.
 
Re: Man hour\'s.

[ QUOTE ]


With much observation I've always been convinced that we get 6 hours of production per 8 hour day. Would it be fair to say I could gt 8 hours of production out of a 10 hour day?



[/ QUOTE ]

I agree!! I get more done in 4-10's than I ever did with 5-8's.
Seem's a little odd I know, but numbers don't lie.
 
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