You would think that in today's economic climate every single fella that is working would show up to work on time, every day, and learn to report to the manager if they are going to be late or miss a day due to unexpected circumstances..........BUT....
I have to remind a couple of fellas what the hours of operations are and the rules we have had in place since who knows when.
Why is it some folks just want to push the envelope? Do they really have such short memories of what kind of working hours may be available come November for those that do not put forth their best efforts during the busy times.
We have been very fortunate to have a good client base, and a good staff to properly service each client. We have been able to keep 3 to 4 crews busy 50 hours a week. Some other regional firms are quite a bit slower, and struggle to keep one or two crews busy less than 40 hours.
Any pearls of wisdom....other than "be glad you have a job" or "I have a folder full of applications for guys that want to work"????
I have a pretty good unit and really only want to make a couple of minor changes. I did get a major drag on our profit margin reassigned earlier this year, and we are reaping those benefits this summer.
Thanks for your thoughts on a hot Saturday in NW IL.
My last long term employer would show up on the jobsite and personally fire people for a variety of offenses, not the least of which was missed days and showing up late. It tightened up the rest of the crew and stopped all unexcused absences and tardiness.
Fortunately since my schedule was as flexible as it was, nobody kept tabs on my time except me. I am the poster child for being at work 6ish, or 7ish, or 8ish, depending on what was needed. I may work until 11PM, then come in at 8ish the next morning as I got all stakeout done the night before.
As for the production crews, on site at 6:15 for the safety and toolbox meeting, then production began between 6:30 and 7:00.
At one of my present jobs, the boss is the worst offender, may show up as late as 10:00. I prefer to get the jobs the day before and go straight to the jobsite from home, so I can get as much done as possible before it gets really hot.
Back on topic, I'd let them know in a group meeting what official company policy is, and what the penalties are for not following them. On the QT I would cast around and find the best folks looking for work right now, and have a few replacements lined up.
When a clear violation occurs, suspend the employee without pay for whatever period your company policy dictates, and make it clear to everyone the next violation results in termination. That way they fire themselves, not force you to overreact (which is how we rank and file always see it)and fire someone 'for no good reason'.
written warnings
more than 10 minutes late gets you a citation
5 citations in 1 year and you win a prize
...or
if they are more than 10 minutes late they get sent home with no pay. miss 3 days unexcused and you win a prize
...or
demotion - 5 unexcused tardy = $.50 per hour decrease in pay. 2 decreases in pay and you win a prize
write everything down and make them sign it if you are planning on firing. document every warning.
A few unpaid days off will fix it. Let them know they can be replaced and the company will continue without them .
i'm with dj send them home they want the company to eat 10 minute let them eat 8 yrs then work them overtime the next 3 days--these gabronis don't realize its not the 10 minutes its the structure stupid--play the game or get out--don't be a baby sitter, today you stand a better chance of hiring a better employee--tdd
Geez, Jim, when did you become such a harda$$? Must be getting cranky as you get older!
On a serious note, I agree with P.L.; I would let them know what policy is in a group meeting. The offenders will know who the whole meeting is aimed at. If they are team players, they should pick up their game because everyone will gripe about having to attend such a meeting at 6AM Monday morning. If they don't step up, then there are plenty of gabronis who would love to be working 50's.
Maybe type this up and stick in everybodys pay packet next week.
Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up.It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up.It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.
It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle — when the sun comes up you had better be running.
Love it Roadhand!
I like it Roadie.
I can tolerate a lot of things but holding up the rest of the crew has never been one of them. Stuff happens and I'll excuse the occasional tardy as long as they call ahead. If you have a flat or such then just call me. Everyone has a cell now days so there is no excuse for not alerting others.
Just sleeping in late or other excuses do no cut it with me. No call, then we leave and you get left at home.
Second time you get a check cut and we have a new crewman.
This is how it worked in the private sector and EVEN in the public sector. Actually the public was a lot harsher on tardiness because it was covered in our employee manuals and rigidly followed.
Deral
The larger the employee base, the more stringent the rules must be to set the bar.
One of my clients cannot do anything before 8:30, as his wife must be at work 60 miles away at 6:00 am. He has kiddie duty, must get everyone up and fed before taking them to daycare. As it is just the two of us when he needs me, no problem. If it were a firm of 100 employees, it would take a special exemption from HR or he would be replaced.
We had a meeting this morning. Told all we are busy, and will be busy for hte next few months. Habitual tardiness will be reflected in any salary adjustments and continued enmployment.
Asked if anyone had a question to speak up or see me for a one on one.
NO TAKERS.
I guess they got the point.
