[Bill Schwab]

We have one of our crew cheifs who is attempting to make his wife legal. The amount of time he has taken off is getting ridiculous, but he has to do what he must. The problem comes when he is gone, that crew has no leadership for a day.

So, how do most of you handle these situations? Do you bounce on and off that job? Do you let the others work as planned? What is your method to madeness?
Most of our guys are cross trained, but I just don't like not having a leader there.

[Stonehenge]

This year I'm more in the field than not, but a year or two ago, I would have probably subbed in the missing person. Plus, it gives me a chance to see if they've changed the way they do anything (sometimes better, sometimes worse) and commend the positive changes and correct the bad ones.

[GLAN]

OK, I don't do the work you do Bill......however. I am out in the field more this year than I have in recent years.....as a result of that, I have no choice but to provide instructions and let the men do what is needed. I can't be every where.

To answer your question...I don't know the process of getting ones wife legal in this Country. But I do have men that need to take care of their personal affairs. Some of the men taking a couple hours or a day off is not critical....I can swap out men for what ever task is at hand...The only way it affects me is if it is my driver or in the odd chance that 2 men are missing. In these cases I have no choice but to drive or fill in on the crew.

A back up driver would be nice to have, like I did for so many years, many years back.


But in your case.....I would imagine that your men can work a day without the supervision......your jobs run days, weeks on end. I would guess that they just pick up where they left off the day before. Now if the crew supervisor is taking 2, 3 or so days in a row off. I would make it a point to show up day 2 and or day 3 and spend some time. I would think it would mean alot to those men that "you" are there to help them get their job done in the absence of their regular supervisor.

[cutntrim]

Including myself, there are only five of us in my company, but we're able to get by most days with four. One (my dad) is the float guy. If we're doing an installation job, or doing lawn apps, then he can jump in and help the maintenance crew. Or, if a guy is sick or on vacation, he can step in too. Four of the five of us are able to act as crew leaders.

In your case, I'd step in where possible to replace the missing guy.

[HardDaysKnight]

I would ask him to appoint someone in the crew to be crew
chief in his absence. That way it's still his crew. I would
show up unexpected here and there to look in. Take the
time to let the appointed leader know how much you appreciate
his efforts etc. and maybe throw him a few extra bucks.
Good luck Bill.