I had the horrible job of giving one guy a weeks notice and our foreman a written warning yesterday - most upsetting for all concerned. We are having to take extreme action to prevent the repeated mistakes taking place on an almost daily basis which could easily put us out of business. So much time is spent undoing and redoing items of a fairly rudimentary skill level. And these guys are supossedly experienced.
It continues to be very difficult to find great skilled guys who love their job. We are throwing money at these guys and they just act like spoilt brats. The foreman is on £20,800 plus a pick up[ plus £40 a week fuel and all the otheres (5) get £16,450 each. Its a fortune and I expect more than we are getting for it.
On Monday we are starting a full on training program for all of them, general construction, plant operations, health and safety etc. I am keeping those guys I feel like being with us enough to learn and letting go of those who dont.
We started just over a year ago(though I was a design only practise for 10+ years) and have gone from my husband and I laying patios to 6 guys three vans and more work than we can handle...BUT its been a vey quick expansion with turnover problems round every corner, and not strating off with any capital we have nothing to fall back on. Each job HAS to work! We are producing amazing gardens but it aint been a smooth process.
Whew, maybe thats enough for now. I am so glad to find you all, its so therapeutic
www.terrafirmagardens.com
