For those of you who followed the story of my previous helper’s exit. After 9 months of hard thought about hiring a new helper, or staying a 1 man show, and downsizing. I finally took the leap into employer status again.
Ran into an old friend at a gas station one day. Hadn’t seen him for a while. He tells me that he is working at a lumberyard now, but not being treated very well. I explain my frustration, with trying to find good help, not thinking he’d be interested in getting back into construction. He responds by asking, what I’d pay for a guy like himself. I shoot him a number, and he say’s, “when do I start”. I told him to talk it over with his wife, and give the yard decent notice, as my former employee gave me none.(left at lunch one day, and never came back) That was 1 month ago.
So far this is going well. He’s a great worker, fun to spend the day with, and we have alot of similiar interests. As far as the work goes, he’s got some learning to do, but catches on fast. He doesn’t have alot of bad habits for me to break, due to his experience level in carpentry(lower). His background is in concrete, foundations, and excavating. He formerly(until last fall) was in business for himself as a basement and excavating contractor. Was in it for about 8 years, and did well. But a rather growing collection problem left him short on cash flow, with alot of equiptment payments to make. Finally this put him under. Bad for him, but I guess good for me. He now tells me that he feels guilty cashing his check, because he’s enjoying working with me so much. Maybe,I shouldn’t pay him, he should pay me 🙂
Moral of the story: Every cloud has a silver lining. If my former employee hadn’t left, I’d never have found this one. Funny how things work out some times.
Things are looking up!
Brudoggie
Replies
Great story! When you're working with people you like, the job feels like a party and the day speeds by. It's really nice when your co-workers are able to anticipate what needs to be done next, and the work just seems to flow.
You're helping a worthy, appreciative person, and he's helping you...(working alone can really suck sometimes) a win-win situation.
Congratulations...
Jen
Jen,
You're right, lifes too short and we spend way too much time at work, for it not to be enjoyable!
Boss & Gunner,
Sorry guys, but he's almost as ugly as me! Maybe a picture of our wives :) Nah, don't want to get you guys in a lather!!! Have a good one!
Brudoggie
Edited 6/29/2003 3:31:54 PM ET by BRUDOGGIE
Dang!
I saw the title to this thread, and clicked on it hoping to see some attachments.
You oughta be ashamed of yourself, leading us on like that.
Glad to hear your work situation is good though.
Join the Army. Visit exotic places, meet interesting people, then kill them.
Yea what Boss said. Actually it sounds like you got him at the right time. As far as teaching him the way you want him to do things.Who Dares Wins.
Congratulations!
Whenever storm clouds chase you down an alley, the sun is shining at the other end of it.
Only problem here is that concrete and excavation guys work with tolerances of 1" to 12".
Carpenter's need to know what those little marks are in between.
;)
Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin,
That's what I meant when I said he had some learning to do! Actually, he did alot of foundation and excavation for me, when I was with my former boss. Always did a great job. It's just hard to keep reminding him to cut the 6" cherry crown ,with the Hitachi CMS, rather than the gas powered cut-off saw :) This guy actually loves pouring concrete ( WOW!!) Then again, I kind of like it too!
Brudoggie
You know that light at the end of the tunnel? Its a train.
I feel your pain, I've got two really good guys working for me, other than that its a revolving door.
Tom