People...

[Matias]

I don't think making employment decisions influenced by someone's sexual activity is a great idea (If that's what you meant by screwing)

Normally, I would agree, but can you trust someone who lies about little things like that?

 

[Brando CalPankian]

I don't think making employment decisions influenced by someone's sexual activity is a great idea (If that's what you meant by screwing)

Yes and no. Having a crew that starts dating each other is really bad for business, especially when it's leadership dating apprentices. I'd specifically asked that it not happen. We're a small company and I can't afford to invest in folks like that.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Normally, I would agree, but can you trust someone who lies about little things like that?

My point exactly. I've watched it destroy crew structure at a few companies.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

My point exactly. I've watched it destroy crew structure at a few companies.

And it literally did again. Haha.

 

[southsoundtree]

You're in a tough market.

Seems hard to recruit people to move to the small town MN.

 

[Matias]

I would have jumped on the opportunity if it were in some similarly sized town by a lake here. Just like I would love to work with you Sean, but my wife and I grew up in relatively warm places, and we aren't looking to live in that much snow or rain. Starting over would be as hard as continuing to build our own thing here. I have just started training my first groundie too, and I pray that it works out. I really need it to work, and I feel your struggle.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Tough topic in this thread. Nick Araya (sp) and his wife share some great stories and strategies about hires and building a company. They are presenting at TreeTopia the middle of August. But they're so passionate about sharing success with others that I'll bet they have digital talks available somewhere. (@Matias video it and put it up with permissions?)

I"ve heard it said that motivation is everything and that seems about right to me. Maybe starting with people motivated to get into tree work and to live in ones area and to be part of your thing (community) would be key.

 

[Jonny]

Chicks dig climbers.

 

[Serf Life]

These do…

 

[Jonny]

lol we used to stick toothpicks in the front of peeps and put two of them close together facing each other in the microwave, hit quick-minute and see which one gets stabbed first. Peep jousting.

 

[Serf Life]

Me too, good fun.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

So I took some advice. I slowed my roll on firing the apprentice. She's a good hand and has the motivation y'all are mentioning. Honestly I think the most helpful thing I can do right now is just make the business succeed. Get us closer to full time, build the reputation, finish getting our benefits and just nose to the grindstone. Eventually things will fall into place. It's hard when you invest so heavily into people, but that's life. Haha.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Following up. Since I kept her things have been working out swell. She is a rock solid employee and we're making money. Being an owner is so much different than just being a manager. Really glad I didn't let her go at this point.

 

[southsoundtree]

Sounds like a great thing.


Do you have any risk of Wrongful Termination for something like that situation?