Hey All!
I had to do a terrible thing today. I had to lay off my helper today. I know it was the right thing for the business as I have been getting deeper in the hole trying to carry the both of us in the slow season. I’ve been telling hime for a month and a half that this was coming and he needed to find work. Yesterday my wife told me the business was $10,000 in the hole. So today I told him he has 2 weeks and he is done. I explained my financial situation but he was still pretty pissed.
The real problem is that he was a friend of mine before he came to work for me. I wonder if he will remain a friend after this. Any words of wisdom here? Cuz I really feel like sh
! I can’t help feeling responsible for him.
Thanks, Dave&
#160;
Replies
you didnt do a lousy thing, if you dont sell enough work for you and a helper to stay busy all the time you have no choice but to lay your friend off
How was he being treated on the books, employee?
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Doubtful.
If he were, he'd be getting paid for the next 26 weeks.
I wish I had a reason; my flaws are open season
Edited 2/28/2007 5:59 pm ET by dustinf
Just remember from the godfather movies. "its not personal its business"
Sub-Contractor
Dave
You just mentioned that the guy was a sub so this wont pertain to you but theres a reason that some companies dont give an employee two weeks notice when there job is comming to an end.
They see an increase in injuries! Some are actually real.
If I had an employee and needed to cut him/her loose but still wanted to give them some financial compensation I would hand them the two weeks pay and tell them thats it, hope we can get going again but until then, seeya!
Doug
Good advice,
That had never accured to me.
Should I find myself in a similar situation again you can be sure I will be taking your advice.
Dave
Nothing terrible. if the business folded - that would be terrible - and he'd be in a worse position.
Now - the business did not get ten grand in the hole by paying one un-needed man for six weeks. Your business is bleeding someplace else. Find that and put a bandage on it so it can heal before hiring back again.
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Excellence is its own reward!
Doc, the two weeks notice is a bonus unto itself. Most places I've been just put you out.
This is good that you feel this way, now do something about it so you don't have to feel this way again. Like piffin says, fix the bleeding, your wife will appreciate it.
Good luck and keep on keepin on...dan
Dave... 32 years in business... i guess i've laid off my share.. i try to keep things on an even keel.. but it isn't always possible
all my employees are real employees.. so when they get laid off ( if they get laid off ... knock on wood ).. they call up and file for unemployment.. which really helps with the guilt trip
your first responsibility is of course to your family.. 2d to the business... so , when it comes time to stop the bleeding, you do what you have to do.. lay off the employees and go with a reduced workforce
........the sun'l come up tomorrow......bet'cher bottom dollar that tomorrow..
there'l be sun....
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I think you are being generous giving him 2 weeks notice. most guys would say s'long as they give you the pink slip.
how can he be pissed? its just economics
the worst decision a business owner can make is staying in business when he knows its over. that'll just bury you deeper.
accept it, regroup, catch up and move on
good luck
You've done nothing lousy, if you go under than he has nothing to go back to when things turn around. I havent paid my helper $500 this month, ive been really slow. I've even brought him on a couple of simple jobs just to throw him something.
I am lucky though, were closing on another house in a couple of days so we'll have about a month of work for sure.
As others have said, its just business.
Edited 2/28/2007 7:37 pm ET by MSA1