[Londoner]

Im confident that the job market is so tough out there, that if you look for the right people, you should have no problems finding someone worth employing.

The mindset is, that cos its a window cleaning job, all your able to put up with is a bunch if no hopers who cant read or write, have no decent communication skills, and are on drugs or in and out of prison.

I got some news for you, these are uneployable. why waste your time?

When i look for someone, its going to be a starting salary of 18k per year, company van, performance bonus, and a clear career path set to get to rounds manager in 5 years.

In return i want people who have at least 5 grades GCSE C and above, are physically fit, have a full uk driving licence, can demonstrate they are good communicators, and be polite, and well turned out.

Trust me, you will find them, they are out there, its beter than what b&q can offer and this is the minimum even they would accept.

The trouble is with these people once you have shown them how its done you have just educated a rival. Its a difficult situation because you want good people but if they have any sense they will soon see an opportunity that they can move themselves up on to the next stage, ie without you. And who's to blame them?

[stuart mc]

so vince how come window cleaning company's up and down the country can and do find good window cleaners and keep them for years?

[Rogue Trader]

aint it funny all these 1 man bands with no experience on this subject with such strong views

[G Griffin]

aint it funny all these 1 man bands with no experience on this subject with such strong views

I would say you were one of those with "such strong views".
I don't claim to be experienced on the subject of employing but I know what I think is right and wouldn't say it was that strange or outrageous.
I'm not using words like "muppets", "toerags" or saying a "population" doesn't want to work.
I might be wrong but I think my views are fairly conservative (that's with a small 'c').

[stuart mc]

aint it funny all these 1 man bands with no experience on this subject with such strong views

I am a one man band, but did employ and used a similar scheme, I interviewed the so called toe rags and employed the best available who wasn't a toe rag, I had my problems but I have learned and will not make the same mistakes again, I have to say most of the mistakes were my doing

my dad employed for the best part of 50 years, my brother as well, they all had problem employees but there are good ones to be found

[Londoner]

so vince how come window cleaning company's up and down the country can and do find good window cleaners and keep them for years?

Not round here they don't. Not judging by the ones who keep asking me for a job and claim to have worked for this one or that one but they only want cash in hand because they don't want to screw up their benefits.

I don't know how the big companies get on but I would imagine they get a turnover like everyone else. Hopefully a few good ones will stick.

[Londoner]

aint it funny all these 1 man bands with no experience on this subject with such strong views

And for some of us thats why we remain as one man bands. Been there, seen it, done it. Don't need the hassle.

[Pope vader]

there is a reason a lot go back to 1 man bands,  lot less hassle

[trevor perry]

its a numbers game the more you employ the better chance of getting a good one , so employ them supervise them closely and if you have any doubts get shut in the first 3 months and try another, when you do find a good one look after them.

[John F]

Im confident that the job market is so tough out there, that if you look for the right people, you should have no problems finding someone worth employing.

The mindset is, that cos its a window cleaning job, all your able to put up with is a bunch if no hopers who cant read or write, have no decent communication skills, and are on drugs or in and out of prison.

I got some news for you, these are uneployable. why waste your time?

When i look for someone, its going to be a starting salary of 18k per year, company van, performance bonus, and a clear career path set to get to rounds manager in 5 years.

In return i want people who have at least 5 grades GCSE C and above, are physically fit, have a full uk driving licence, can demonstrate they are good communicators, and be polite, and well turned out.

Trust me, you will find them, they are out there, its beter than what b&q can offer and this is the minimum even they would accept.

do you expect many applications for the position when they need tose qualifications to get a job window cleaning? career? work up to "round manager"? im not trying to have a go at you stock clean, i just wonder how many people will apply and how many will want the job after working as a window cleaner for about 3 days.
if they have qualifications that prove they can spell their name they will want a better "career" than round manager i think. good luck though.

[Paul Coleman]

so vince how come window cleaning company's up and down the country can and do find good window cleaners and keep them for years?

Not round here they don't. Not judging by the ones who keep asking me for a job and claim to have worked for this one or that one but they only want cash in hand because they don't want to screw up their benefits.

I don't know how the big companies get on but I would imagine they get a turnover like everyone else. Hopefully a few good ones will stick.

I once received an unsolicited CV through the post.  Although I wasn't looking to take anyone on, I did read it.
It looked pretty impressive, naming several local cleaning companies for whom he had worked.  There was a gap in employment which I assumed was unemployment or out of trade.
I know the owner of one of the companies.  The guy had worked for him.  However, he said that the guy drove the van like a lunatic and that the gap in employment was when he tried to attack someone with a hammer (he went down).
Now I'm all for second chances, partly because my own distant past isn't exactly rosy (though non-violent), but how the heck could I employ someone with that in their past?  If they needed disciplining or sacking, I would always have that hammer on my mind.  No thanks.

[Rogue Trader]

haha how dare we say such AWFUL words , muppet , toerag can anyone think of any more........ cover your ears if you are sensitive , there seems like there may be a few of you out there , ok here goes ......... numptys  , goodfernothings , scroungers , lazyasses , and now for a really bad one .....nobends ....

[G Griffin]

haha how dare we say such AWFUL words , muppet , toerag can anyone think of any more........ cover your ears if you are sensitive , there seems like there may be a few of you out there , ok here goes ......... numptys  , goodfernothings , scroungers , lazyasses , and now for a really bad one .....nobends ....

"Strong views", eh?
I bet you know some even naughtier words, don't you? But I'm sorry for having the audacity to disagree with you and making you use such language............eyes roll.

[Rogue Trader]

unqualified views i should have said

[G Griffin]

unqualified views i should have said

That's more like it; in my case, anyway.

[bobby p]

1 of the 2 lads i employ is starting to flag. its a real downer cos i was getting the round how i want it but now im carrying him even on the easy days and i wont be able to get another new one before crimbo.
  he was okay in fine weather but now the temp has dipped im beset with excuses that hes feeling dizzy on the ladder  or ill with weak bowels. hes  already wearing gloves even though theres no frost as such, i predict he will be gone in the January snap.
  What im getting at is that you can look hard and then settle on the most charming applicant but then fall at the 3rd fence
  joe muggins here even has sent him home twice early( with pay) as could be he really was ill , but the acid test is next week, when im going to throw him  days of serious slog ,i will be working alongside him and lets see if he can rise out of his temperature induced depression

[dazmond]

i had loads of lads working with me  during the mid 90s.i vowed a few years ago never to employ again.i used to give allsorts a chance most didnt last more than a few days/weeks.some not even a day!!!

i much prefer staying as a sole trader then i can please myself what hours i work and ensure the job is done to a decent standard(most of the time!).

the aggro just wasnt worth it for me.