[Stonehenge]

We have a Dewalt that also can charge Dewalt cordless tool batteries. Not the greatest sound on earth, but it's had sand and brick dust aplenty thrown at it, and it keeps tickin'.

I don't mind it playing, so long as it isn't too loud, and when the client comes out to look things over, the radio gets turned off, so they know they have our undivided attention.

The guys can take it to every job site if they wish, but they don't. They seem to only take it to jobsites where they'll be working in a stationary spot for a long while. Otherwise, they don't load it up.

[VoodooChile]

Dale,
I think different business models result in different policies. I am an owner/operator, to the point that the guys (never more than 1 or 2), climb in the truck each morning and ride to the jobsite with me. If they are out of it, because of drug-use, a fight with the woman, lack of sleep from watching videos, or busting their ass the day before, I am pretty keenly aware, and can assign or deny responsibilites accordingly.

Sometimes I think out here in the Midwest we are living in "Pleasantville", you know the Toby Macquire movie where the hometown baskteball team never misses a shot, and the fire dept. spends busy days rescuing cats.

Nobody has even threatened to sue me yet, after twelve years at this. The absolute worst is somebody doesn't want to pay, but they usually do.

Fear of litigation and the cost of insurance are destroying some of our most fundamental values, like basic trust and individual liberty. I understand that you are in the situation you are in, and have to do what the market and the suits dictate, but as for me, I want nothing to do with it.

[Bill Schwab]

Voodoo:

That usage of Metalica was the one that made the foreman a former foreman. Basically, for every second it kept the moron who onwed the house off our backs, it caused one more neighbor to use another contractor for pavers.

[Chuck Sinclair]

No load radio.s allowed.
I use pelter selects my self (Certified hearing protection and STEREO) nothing like Peter Framton while your working.

[justgardens]

I m currently seeking health insurance for my guys and will paying half. I told them if the price goes up because they all smoke it may cost THEM more. As for drug testing we are only under random testing at one commercial location. I feel the same way as Voodoo on that. I tell the guys what they do at home is their business. I have one who indulges occasionally in the loco weed the rest are clean of alcohol and drugs. When we work at this one commercial place where they random test I ask for the truth and get it, they that indulge don't work that day. I also told them when what they do affects me and the work they perform, they are gone. I have a great group of men and women that I work with and want to retain. They all would give the shirt off their back for me....that is priceless! Our Workman's Comp is not nearly as picky as Dale's either. Had my first claim in 10 years last week too! I was bummed. Voodoo this thread really did come a long way from radios

[cutntrim]

I'm like Voodoo, an owner operator who's in the field with the crew most of the time. Right now, in autumn, the "crew" is me and one other guy monday-thursday, and then my dad (he's worked for me since '99 after retiring early) and another long-time employee in a second truck on fridays.

I don't listen to music much except when I'm plowing snow in the winter by myself. Today I don't think I even turned the truck radio on once all day. On-site for maintenance it's too loud anyway for a radio, but even on landscape install jobs I've never used one. I prefer conversation, the noise of work being done, and being left alone to my own thoughts. My guys have occasionally mentioned having a radio on-site but I haven't had one yet, and don't see the need for one.

I don't get the concept of the ear protection that have radios built-in. Doesn't that pretty much cancel out the "protection" of the muffs in the first place? I would think you'd be going deaf just by having to crank the music up loud enough to hear it.

Reformed ex-smokers seem to usually be the most militant of the anti-smokers out there. Not sure why that is? I'm not a smoker, haven't had one drag in my whole life. Haven't even tried coffee or tea for that mattter (weird huh?). I tell the guys (my dad included) no smoking on the customer's property and no smoking in the trucks...even when plowing. I HATE the smell, always have, and the trucks are brand new. But, I wouldn't think to exclude all smokers from being hired, because 50% of my work force wouldn't be here if I did. I'd say the ratio of smokers to non-smokers in the landscape industry is around 65-35 here. I haven't even considered drug testing before, and can't see the need.

[scl]

This time of year the crew gets thin for us too. My wife, myself, and a part timer once in a while. I look at the radio like any common sense thing. When a client comes out I turn it off or down, and most times they say I shouldn't or didn't have to do that. To me its just courtesy, like taking a toothpick out of your mouth when you talk to someone, or taking off your sunglasses when your talking face to face. Or addressing the lady of the house as "ma'am. Boy have I been dressed down for that one. Just me I guess.

Besides, if I didn't have my radio on how would I listen to Rush midday.

[MarkH]

Although I work for a Gov. dept, we have no radios when around the public, out in the woods sure if you can get one, no smoking around the public. As for drug testing we all have to have pre employment tests and all have CDL's so we have to test a portion every year. It may be a pain and pull guys of a crew for a while, but it does help keep the insurance premiums down.