You break/cut you buy?

I can't imagine EVERYONE hasn't heard of the old as time routine of going to the dump and returning and "Ohhhh my gawwwd, must have dumped the 440 we put over the tailgate, it is 5 pm now and probably a dozen other companies have dumped in the same place"....Craigslist..."440 for sale, cash only, meet you behind the warehouse".
 
John Uselding said:
I've never seen a bonus... and I am the lead climber :wtf:!!!
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it usually goes along the lines of "Ben we have three days on this job if you can get it done in under two then I will pay x amount bonus money for increased production" - you get the job done in a day and a half then he pays extra at the end of the job to compensate for the time you could have otherwise been earning dollero's in if you took your time and dragged it out.
 
Stihlmadd said:
it usually goes along the lines of "Ben we have three days on this job if you can get it done in under two then I will pay x amount bonus money for increased production" - you get the job done in a day and a half then he pays extra at the end of the job to compensate for the time you could have otherwise been earning dollero's in if you took your time and dragged it out.
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Stihl'... I think it may be time for me to find a new employer. I never drag out a job, always stay late, and treat everyone with respect. I can't say I've never broken anything, but I've never broken anything expensive or important. Seems like contract work would be the way to go for me, but a lot of posts I've read on this forum give me reason to take pause with that idea.
 
I think it came down to actual time served taught me through pain and loss that I was good enough to set my own rate and be more careful about who I choose to work for but that only came about from being out there and working for all these different companies to make a name for myself which I could then trade off to get better employers. in short didn't happen overnight.
the thing sticking in my mind now is a post I caught last year on another site warning how long term contract climbing will change you into a "alien" I am still pondering over that one.
 
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John I was just like you but it never worked did't matter how hard I worked the hours I put in or what I did to make their business function there was never the respect or gratitude to be found in them the bossman so I went to myself this sucks have tried it with umpteen different companies now so either the problem is me or it's them let's find out by running it up the flag pole and seeing if it flys.
looking back these coming on four years of contracting I do sound a lot like Steve c in my thoughts and attitude to the companies and their staff at times I mean cutting a mans rope was a offence punishable by whipping with whatever was left when I first started climbing, seems to be a more casual attitude to ropes now, maybe because they are cheaper and easier to get these days ?
 
I can think of several employees who are no longer with my employer due to their carelessness and costly mistakes (habitual offenders). Usually takes the firm of a form reprimand for a first offense, sent home for a second offense (not always effective), and termination if carelessness continues. The problem I see is primarily due to what would be classified as the "do as I say, not as I do" attitude of my employer. He can do amazing things with a skid loader, can push the limits without ever crossing the line. Other workers see this and try to emulate his efficiency but without the experience, often resulting in disaster. The fault for this, IMHO, falls squarely on the shoulders of my employer who should in turn shoulder the repair costs. When it is just he and I working, which has been frequent due to low employee retention, very little gets broken. Unfortunately this results in my employer taking the attitude that adding additional employees is too costly. Thus more work falls on me (there's nothing like climbing for 10 hours then hitting the ground and raking for another two). He won't take the time to properly train new employees to help avoid the "carelessness" that inevitably occurs. I understand his dilemma, but am at a loss as to how to break this cycle. Training is the obvious answer, but my efforts in this area always take a backseat to getting the job done. I do agree that taking the time to train someone who may be gone next week is a losing battle. I'd be very interested to hear how others among you deal with this.
 
"climbing for 10 hours and then raking for 2"...not kosher. If the boss or anyone for that matter cannot keep up with your out put likely there is insufficient or incompatible equipment on the job. I pride myself in having EVERY possible piece of equipment to make the job easier and assure that my gm never has to work more than 8 hours or be shot for the next day. But sometimes my job is easier and like when "everything stays" sometimes his job is easier. But I ALWAYS help out if the situation seems unfair or the day is getting short.

Things are just WAY easier for the gm than they used to be because of equipment...if you buy it.

As for the contract climber versus company owner the advantage is obviously when you just cannot physically do the job anymore...the company owner can never touch a saw again and still make money. As for the contract guy...his only option is turning salesman and some are just not cut out for that full time.
 
John. Do we work for the same guys? Somebody quoted "never beat an employee who cares to the point they no longer care". I have moved from the big picture to the task oriented focus. I worry about what I'm actually assigned to do. For instance, cut down that tree. That's my task. Not raking not hauling brush not raking stump mulch. Take down the tree. Not my issue if the foreman can't keep the other employees motivated. Doesn't fall on my shoulders. I don't worry about the job site. Just my little part of it. I didn't start that way. They have beat me into that attitude. I can't do it all. Get some decent employees and you can fix that. Stop making them work 18'hours a day 6 days a week in the summer with broken stuff. Stop bitching that the jobs taking too long when it's not. Don't bitch when they ask for ice for the cooler. Blah blah blah. No wonder they don't give an f.
 
Steve, after reading some of your posts I got the same feeling that my employer may be somehow running a freak show out your way too. In his defense I will say he can be as hell of a worker (when he shows up) and has great ideas. He's just a terrible manager of people, money, and time. In other words a terrible business man. I'm trying very hard not to bitch too much, because what really gets me down is all the negativity. Thanks Steve. Much respect for you.
 
Steve Connally said:
Somebody quoted "never beat an employee who cares to the point they no longer care".
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Wow, I had to let that sink in a few. I've been in that situation many times and carried that exact attitude throughout the entire job. It usually doesn't end well for anyone and nothing is gained. I learned the hardway when enough is enough to call it quits and move on. At the time I had just bought a home and was scared to make a change mostly for my family because I knew no matter what I had a job with that employer and could provide for them (when there was work). For me the best decision I've made was to move on. The only thing I would change is I would have done it sooner had I known then what I know now. Always a learning curve and fortunately the grass was greener on the otherside. Love where I'm at and they'd have to lock the gate and get a restraining order to keep me out.:boxeador:
 
Steve Connally said:
John. Do we work for the same guys? Somebody quoted "never beat an employee who cares to the point they no longer care". I have moved from the big picture to the task oriented focus. I worry about what I'm actually assigned to do. For instance, cut down that tree. That's my task. Not raking not hauling brush not raking stump mulch. Take down the tree. Not my issue if the foreman can't keep the other employees motivated. Doesn't fall on my shoulders. I don't worry about the job site. Just my little part of it. I didn't start that way. They have beat me into that attitude. I can't do it all. Get some decent employees and you can fix that. Stop making them work 18'hours a day 6 days a week in the summer with broken stuff. Stop bitching that the jobs taking too long when it's not. Don't bitch when they ask for ice for the cooler. Blah blah blah. No wonder they don't give an f.
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That's a shame Steve. I hope something new comes along for you. Teamwork is a hell of a drug.
 
Like Steve I have my reasons for staying put. One of the big positives of the company I work for is that we are the only show around with a dedicated crane. I do so love watching those tree pieces floating away from me :hola:. Just never gets old. If that machine goes, I'm gone too :hola:.
 
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