Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Marc Whitbread on January 24, 2016, 12:39:59 pm
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Hi all,
for those that employ some advice is needed I employ 1 guy full time at the moment he is on 18k soon to be 20k I have gone through 3 other people in the last 6 months the last one was caught smoking in the customers garden whilst cleaning and taking payment off the customer at the same time! I don't understand it even on starting salary I'm offering 16k working hours 8-4.30/5
5 days a week the usual 28 days paid holiday etc I've tried advertising on fb pages indeed and gumtree but usually end up with crap.
I must admit I am not very good at the interviewing part but we barely get many applications...can anybody advise
is that a reasonable salary
and where you advertise and how you find the whole experience? I do want to employ and keep growing the business but at the moment starting to get a little sick of this repetitive recruiting process!
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Employing is the hardest part, we have a cracking team and probably pay slightly less than you,
Drop me an email
Darran
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Hi Darran thanks have pinged you an email
Cheers
Marc
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All depends where you live and work, that would certainly be a reasonable salary where I'm based but in the south of England
maybe not.
I think its just a window cleaning thing I certainly have noticed that the employers in my area are constantly changing their workforce.
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It was suggested to me recently to try an employment agency to source staff. I haven't tried it but it's worth a thought - or two.
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Worth trying if you want to spend a grand or two for some dolly bird to read the cv's for you.
Darran
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Finding good staff is the hardest part of are job.
Similar situation for me I don't mind paying the extra in wages but am not paying it to have crap.
I think am guna put me feelers out for any school leavers this summer and see wot comes of it. The best lad I had work for me started wen he was 16, was with me for about 10 years, fantastic lad til he met a girl and started throwing poope up his nose, I even sat down with him explaining that I would sack him for it ........ Long story but I gave him 2 options, either get off the stuff or am guna sack him.
A week later he lost his job which also meant his phone going and his van.
From wen he was 18 he earned 20k plus every year
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I'm currently being held to ransom by my 19 year old employee! He has decided he's sick and has been off for 2 weeks whilst I struggle on Really flustrating but what can you do!!
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I'm currently being held to ransom by my 19 year old employee! He has decided he's sick and has been off for 2 weeks whilst I struggle on Really flustrating but what can you do!!
I'm in no position to offer employment advice.
But there used to be a poster on here that had 2 or 3 part timers working for him on alternate days.
Seemed a good strategy to me in theory anyway.
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I'm currently being held to ransom by my 19 year old employee! He has decided he's sick and has been off for 2 weeks whilst I struggle on Really flustrating but what can you do!!
How long has he been employed by you ?
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I must admit I wouldn't use Facebook for staff. I reckon an ad in the local newspaper is probably the best approach. An agency would be expensive.
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Job centre and gum tree work well, but you will get loads of cv's from those who are just going through the motions, always ask for a covering letter it helps gauge whether they can put a coherent sentence together
Darran
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Job centre and gum tree work well, but you will get loads of cv's from those who are just going through the motions, always ask for a covering letter it helps gauge whether they can put a coherent sentence together
Darran
Interesting that you say the job centre. I understood that attendance there is compulsory and hence why an ad in a local paper shows a little more eagerness for work?
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That's true, but so is applying to adverts in newspapers !
The newspaper route will work, but so far gum tree and job centre have worked, normally we get around 30 ish applications of which 25 go straight in the bin, no covering letter, no transport, can't drive so clearly can not follow a standard set of instructions
Darran
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Job centre and gum tree work well, but you will get loads of cv's from those who are just going through the motions, always ask for a covering letter it helps gauge whether they can put a coherent sentence together
Darran
Interesting that you say the job centre. I understood that attendance there is compulsory and hence why an ad in a local paper shows a little more eagerness for work?
Doesn't really make any difference where guys on the dole are concerned, its compulsory to show that you have been actively looking for work so a lot will apply for a job like window cleaning with no intention of getting it.
The local paper add has more chance of attracting guys already in employment looking for something better or different.
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Hi all,
for those that employ some advice is needed I employ 1 guy full time at the moment he is on 18k soon to be 20k I have gone through 3 other people in the last 6 months the last one was caught smoking in the customers garden whilst cleaning and taking payment off the customer at the same time! I don't understand it even on starting salary I'm offering 16k working hours 8-4.30/5
5 days a week the usual 28 days paid holiday etc I've tried advertising on fb pages indeed and gumtree but usually end up with crap.
I must admit I am not very good at the interviewing part but we barely get many applications...can anybody advise
is that a reasonable salary
and where you advertise and how you find the whole experience? I do want to employ and keep growing the business but at the moment starting to get a little sick of this repetitive recruiting process!
So you sacked a guy on the spot just for doing that ...Going by your employee handbook does that act a grouse misconduct then ??? No verbal warning , 2 written then a final and all that ::)roll
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Hi all,
for those that employ some advice is needed I employ 1 guy full time at the moment he is on 18k soon to be 20k I have gone through 3 other people in the last 6 months the last one was caught smoking in the customers garden whilst cleaning and taking payment off the customer at the same time! I don't understand it even on starting salary I'm offering 16k working hours 8-4.30/5
5 days a week the usual 28 days paid holiday etc I've tried advertising on fb pages indeed and gumtree but usually end up with crap.
I must admit I am not very good at the interviewing part but we barely get many applications...can anybody advise
is that a reasonable salary
and where you advertise and how you find the whole experience? I do want to employ and keep growing the business but at the moment starting to get a little sick of this repetitive recruiting process!
So you sacked a guy on the spot just for doing that ...Going by your employee handbook does that act a grouse misconduct then ??? No verbal warning , 2 written then a final and all that ::)roll
The guy you currently have where did you find him? Whats good about him? I think employing in this industry is difficult.
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That's my point as if he was any good he should not have been sacked surely as a verbal warning would have sufficed?
I'm betting during your little chat if he was any good he would have told you to shove yer job were the sun don't shine.
I know I would have if I had been spoken to like a peace of poop and yes I smoke too ;D
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But that kid I had working for me was perfect, prior to messing about which was over a few months period, I had to sit and think how much it was guna cost me, I knew I couldn't replace him like for like as he was that good, and I did give numerous then 2 written even spoke with his mum, and she moved him back home with her but the chage was short term, over say a 5 year period we was expanding rapidly and he was involved in everything including traing staff with me, and even tho his insurance was just on 3k it was money well spent, well to a point. Once the messing about started I gave him a brake down of how much he was costing the company ( not nessacerely me ) and that regards his van had to make a profit week in and week out.
Just let himself down so much even tho the company took a hit I never as I cover my own costs easy.
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Hi Darren,
He's been with me about 16 months, looked after him really well and I get the feeling he's giving me the runaround!
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Smurf, He had been told several times to keep it out of sight of customers let alone whilst cleaning the windows it wasn't the main reason for letting him go his attitude was completely wrong kept missing sills and frames when being told over and over and just kept banging on about how he preferred working on commercials and didn't like doing domestic even though that was made clear to him at interview he also thought it acceptable to stop for a cigarette at every other job every 20 minutes again despite being told after 6 days that was the last straw!!! I do not have a problem with smoking per say and am a very reasonable employer but will not put up with somebody with that kind of attitude who can't follow common sense!! and that's what he was like on his first 6 days can you imagine what he would have been like out of sight of us out on his own in his own van?!!
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Hi all,
for those that employ some advice is needed I employ 1 guy full time at the moment he is on 18k soon to be 20k I have gone through 3 other people in the last 6 months the last one was caught smoking in the customers garden whilst cleaning and taking payment off the customer at the same time! I don't understand it even on starting salary I'm offering 16k working hours 8-4.30/5
5 days a week the usual 28 days paid holiday etc I've tried advertising on fb pages indeed and gumtree but usually end up with crap.
I must admit I am not very good at the interviewing part but we barely get many applications...can anybody advise
is that a reasonable salary
and where you advertise and how you find the whole experience? I do want to employ and keep growing the business but at the moment starting to get a little sick of this repetitive recruiting process!
So you sacked a guy on the spot just for doing that ...Going by your employee handbook does that act a grouse misconduct then ??? No verbal warning , 2 written then a final and all that ::)roll
The guy you currently have where did you find him? Whats good about him? I think employing in this industry is difficult.
Hi Tom,
I found him thorugh Gumtree nearly 2 years ago he is loyal always declares and walk ups etc even one offs puts his own personal fuel in the van shows up on time every time dosen't mind working alone 99% of the time and has only just had 3 days sick the first sickness absence since he has been with me.
but yes it is hard finding the right staff
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Hi all,
for those that employ some advice is needed I employ 1 guy full time at the moment he is on 18k soon to be 20k I have gone through 3 other people in the last 6 months the last one was caught smoking in the customers garden whilst cleaning and taking payment off the customer at the same time! I don't understand it even on starting salary I'm offering 16k working hours 8-4.30/5
5 days a week the usual 28 days paid holiday etc I've tried advertising on fb pages indeed and gumtree but usually end up with crap.
I must admit I am not very good at the interviewing part but we barely get many applications...can anybody advise
is that a reasonable salary
and where you advertise and how you find the whole experience? I do want to employ and keep growing the business but at the moment starting to get a little sick of this repetitive recruiting process!
So you sacked a guy on the spot just for doing that ...Going by your employee handbook does that act a grouse misconduct then ??? No verbal warning , 2 written then a final and all that ::)roll
The guy you currently have where did you find him? Whats good about him? I think employing in this industry is difficult.
sorry smurf written the post wrong the guy with me for 2 years is still with me the one that has gone was only with us for 6 days of course I wouldn't treat a long standing employee like that!
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id advertise and get a young lad to train up, they do not get this chance to get a good pay, take them on part time to see how he does. a months trial. lots of young kids out there who do not know what money we can earn
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id advertise and get a young lad to train up, they do not get this chance to get a good pay, take them on part time to see how he does. a months trial. lots of young kids out there who do not know what money we can earn
Not a bad idea my reservation is the whole driving licence situation there's not enough profit in 2 guys in 1 van I want them working 1 man to a van
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id advertise and get a young lad to train up, they do not get this chance to get a good pay, take them on part time to see how he does. a months trial. lots of young kids out there who do not know what money we can earn
Not a bad idea my reservation is the whole driving licence situation there's not enough profit in 2 guys in 1 van I want them working 1 man to a van
I would have thought two in a van would have been more cost effective. If I had 5k of work it would be two in a van with four backpacks, three clx poles, containers and no smoking 🚭 14.5k + bonus potential 2.5k self employed, average 6 hour days.
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Yeah and 8 hours in the van each day bitching about how much you must be making coz most of em haven't a clue m8,I would do 1 man per van they'll meet up at time to time and still run you down. 2 in a van I can imagine the conversations,cmon m8 lets get a round of our own we can keep all the money then lol sad but true.
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Yeah and 8 hours in the van each day bitching about how much you must be making coz most of em haven't a clue m8,I would do 1 man per van they'll meet up at time to time and still run you down. 2 in a van I can imagine the conversations,cmon m8 lets get a round of our own we can keep all the money then lol sad but true.
That is exactly true! and also they become lazier when there are 2 of them 1 mann in a day should do 220-250 2 men rarely do past 350 between them unless I am out with 1 of them and even then it doesn't double
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Yeah and 8 hours in the van each day bitching about how much you must be making coz most of em haven't a clue m8,I would do 1 man per van they'll meet up at time to time and still run you down. 2 in a van I can imagine the conversations,cmon m8 lets get a round of our own we can keep all the money then lol sad but true.
That is exactly true! and also they become lazier when there are 2 of them 1 mann in a day should do 220-250 2 men rarely do past 350 between them unless I am out with 1 of them and even then it doesn't double
the joys of employing eh? ;D
im so glad i stopped employing years ago now.its nothing but hassle.
ive had a lot more crap.guys trying to take over my round by approaching my customers saying id sold the round to them or id packed in,nicking money off me,not turning up or turning up late(again!),doing a crap job,missing windows etc. >:(
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Yeah and 8 hours in the van each day bitching about how much you must be making coz most of em haven't a clue m8,I would do 1 man per van they'll meet up at time to time and still run you down. 2 in a van I can imagine the conversations,cmon m8 lets get a round of our own we can keep all the money then lol sad but true.
How many guys did you go through Dazmond?
That is exactly true! and also they become lazier when there are 2 of them 1 mann in a day should do 220-250 2 men rarely do past 350 between them unless I am out with 1 of them and even then it doesn't double
the joys of employing eh? ;D
im so glad i stopped employing years ago now.its nothing but hassle.
ive had a lot more crap.guys trying to take over my round by approaching my customers saying id sold the round to them or id packed in,nicking money off me,not turning up or turning up late(again!),doing a crap job,missing windows etc. >:(
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CV s and cover letter are not the best to find staff its got a lot about your ability to judge the character of people.
A very important factor is you need to know what you expect from an employer and conveying this to your staff. Getting your worker into what you expect of them. Too many bosses start off as Mr Easy guy then get disheartened when the worker starts to show true colours. At this time, you should see what they are up to and lay down the law. Most important factor is stand by your guns. The first 14 days is your trial is setting the pace of employment. Don`t allow anything to slide.
You do not want to see their true colours, what you want to see is the colour that you want of them.
ITs not easy driving around in a van with a worker and staying the boss. You need to speak up if you don`t get what you want..
Many things make a good employer .
Many workers just get bored, keep them challenged in a very boring job is not easy. Todays kids want more to keep them busy like in tv games.They want it all in a minuite.
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CV s and cover letter are not the best to find staff its got a lot about your ability to judge the character of people.
A very important factor is you need to know what you expect from an employer and conveying this to your staff. Getting your worker into what you expect of them. Too many bosses start off as Mr Easy guy then get disheartened when the worker starts to show true colours. At this time, you should see what they are up to and lay down the law. Most important factor is stand by your guns. The first 14 days is your trial is setting the pace of employment. Don`t allow anything to slide.
You do not want to see their true colours, what you want to see is the colour that you want of them.
ITs not easy driving around in a van with a worker and staying the boss. You need to speak up if you don`t get what you want..
Many things make a good employer .
Many workers just get bored, keep them challenged in a very boring job is not easy. Todays kids want more to keep them busy like in tv games.They want it all in a minuite.
Very True! I know I have failed in some of these areas
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A CV tells you jack about them really it tells you what they've been doing but it doesn't tell you there a jealous arsehole that over time will end up resenting you,some on here will tell you it's all down to you-me but it ain't. 2 men in 1 van on above average work will do 8 k a month alday long if you have the work without completely knocking there pipes out,can you imagine that at the end of the month when there giving you 4 grand lol try it and dip your toe in give me a call if you need a hand getting the knifes out of your back.
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we start off with van cleaning glass, After some time we get good at it and feel we need help to do better so we take on staff. At this point we feel we are a success. Then we employ staff and change our job to managing this person and never give a thought at our new roll.
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I'm currently being held to ransom by my 19 year old employee! He has decided he's sick and has been off for 2 weeks whilst I struggle on Really flustrating but what can you do!!
f*** him off down the road.
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Not that simple after 16 months, but at 2 weeks he should be providing a doctors cert.
You should also have a record of sickness over the last 6 or 12 months, if this exceeds a reasonable amount as laid out in your contract of employment then you can start a disciplinary proceeding.
2 men 1 van, very poor return on the day's work 1 man 1 van works best for us
Darran
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Not that simple after 16 months, but at 2 weeks he should be providing a doctors cert.
You should also have a record of sickness over the last 6 or 12 months, if this exceeds a reasonable amount as laid out in your contract of employment then you can start a disciplinary proceeding.
2 men 1 van, very poor return on the day's work 1 man 1 van works best for us
Darran
Although my next employee, which I reckon will be April will initially work with the first employee until I get the second van totally full. Then I get a third van and I initially work that one and so on.
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You obviously need to work with him first or have him with you so he can learn it,I had someone with me for a few years I went on holiday and gave him 10 days work over 2 weeks I said try to get as much as you can done,if it rains heavy etc just start where you finished off the day before he said right oh. He new where he was going I came home and he'd done 3-1/2 days work all in the order he fancied,it all changes when your not around I'm not saying it happens with everyone we know it doesn't but I hear similar story's all the time from others. I would never employ anyone who doesn't have bills to pay regardless of how they seem,you need someone that needs you as well.
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The management game they speak about your true north ist the line over which no one is allowed. It`s you terms of tolerance under which you employ staff. One needs to keep reminding staff of were your true north is. Its a pain be friendly but never friends. Never being afraid to pull staff right where they head to this line. One needs to do the same with customers they to and just humans just like workers. We never give this any thought until we employ staff. Don`t look after staff if they are good just stick to your true principals. They should be looking after you.
Don`t share your problems with staff as they don`t need to or care about your problems as they will see it as a weakness they can exploit. A little aloofness will not go amiss.
Never leave annoying things until you cannot contain your anger. You needed to address these occasions a week or two before.
There should always be a part of you they do not know, its the part that earns respect for you.