[jwholden]

OK, I guess I got lucky but I've had a guy working for me for three years now. He's not a speed demon but isn't intimidated by hard work, hot weather, or long hours.

As of late I'm starting to see the tell tale signs that his time is soon to be up (which will be when he calls to miss his 9th day of the season). Many absenses, showing up late (I couldn't call because I didn't have a quarter), more moaning than usual which was pretty much nonexistent. Frankly, I think he has big head and the boss is screwed without me syndrome. It's a shame how in a small company you can't fire someone to set an example because there's noone left.

So here's the question, what is your average for an employee to last? Honestly, before this guy I would have said three months, which I suspect I'll be saying again by the end of the summer.

So let's get another employee thread going and see if we can help each other out.

[Stonehenge]

Hmmm.... Not sure I'm the best person to answer. If you'd have asked me at the beginning of this seasonm I'd have said 1 week. That was average stay of my first 3 employees this year.

Have you sat down with him and told him the things he does that are good? I don't think it's in our nature to compliment people on a job well done. It's not in mine, anyway. I have to always remind myself to tell employees the things that they are doing well in, and also the areas where I'd like to see improvement. Sometimes I'm amazed at how something so small can mean so much to them.

Also, transitioning to a managament role, I'm trying to bring on guys that can make this a good paying career job. So the avg tenure will hopefully increase. But prior to this year, most guys were 1 season and out. Each year there'd be one or two back from the previous year. This year we have a 3rd year college guy back, and I'm trying to twist his arm into coming on board full time when he graduates.

[Paul]

I'm a bit different here, one has stayed with me for over 15 years, others have been with me for over 8 years. I don't have any that haven't been with me for less than 4 years.

[Stonehenge]

Ok - first thing I do to dominate my market? Bring Paul's company North!!

[jwholden]

I admit that I don't like gettting mushy with employees. However, I try to make up for it in other ways. IE rounding a six hour day to 8 hours, some extra pay ( I hit him with $100extra a couple times last year), rounding a rainy short week up to 35 hours, bringing gatorade back on hot days. ( I hope this isn't all small stuff and I'm actually just a crappy boss).

I'll admit that I'm also cutting back on this type of stuff in respose so I guess were both in a downward spiral. I'll work on being happy and try to compliment him genuinely more often. Stuff I know I should do but I just get caught up in all the other crap of running the buz. Frankly, I envy him for beeing able to come to work and earn good money to do just one part of the business (the labor) without worrying about customers, insurance, payroll, how to lay a paver walkway right, rain, sales calls, yada, yada, yada.

[Stonehenge]

I think you may want to be bigger and managing the biz more than you might let on.

The stuff you're doing for him sounds like really nice stuff. More than I do for mine. On hot or hard days, I'll buy gatorade, or I'll give the foreman $10 and tell him to buy the crew a 12 pack (after they are back at the yard), and to tell them it's from him.

But I think that stuff, though very generous, gets forgotten easily. For some reason the dollars don't matter as much as liking your boss and where you work and who you work with. Or so I've read.

I've seen myself be a really good manager. I've also seen myself be a really crappy one. It seems that when I'm focused on what's right in front of me, I tend to be the crappy one.

[Paul]

Here are a couple of words to remember..... Trust and Praise

[scl]

Lets remember that Paul is a union shop with union wages and union bennies. Anyone else offer that? Not bashing Paul, I'm sure he's a great boss and manager. I worked with a company that gave me control of 40-50 people at a shift and what I found was that some people would dang near pass out if you bought them a soda, and some would gripe at getting employee of the month with a savings bond. Just a difference with people. Back on subject. Couldn't tell you, if I fire my crew she won't cook for me anymore LOL. But I am watching intently.

[BJR]

It all sounds too familiar.

6 months for me.

I have a leading hand that has been with me for 4 years now.

I expact staff to work hard and do a better than good job.

I pay above award wages and never yell or swear at anyone.

Most of my staff have said that I am great to work for but they can't handle the hard work day in day out.

When you find a good person you have to look after them.

I give pay rises when they have proven themselves. Most times even before they ask.

You have to find that key person and look after him. The rest can come and go. once you have found one, look for another, and another if you desire.

Grow slowly and you will survive.