My employees and my problems

Ok so heres my problem I work where theres no power no timeclock and I let my two employees basically work there own hours. I always let them take lunch when they want start when they want. I have one employee who is highly paid to cut scrap I wont say how much but I could hire two guys for what I pay him a week. He isnt really late ever his problem is taking to much time for lunch way ovrr the alloted time. lets put it like this he has taken 2 hour plus lunches this week. I dont usually say anything about it but I am going to change they way I do things come the first of the year I bought an expensive protable time clock. I just want to ask how do u deal with trouble employees who think they work hard but in your opinion are lazy. He hasnt worked a full 40 hour work week in I cant remember how long. he has a new excuse once a week about having to leave early or miss a day all together. it boils down to the fact that he can be a hell of a worker when he works and I like him allot he just doesnt get the fact that he misses to much time. starting on the first 715 to 4 are going to the hours lunch will be 45 mins which I think is fair and after three times of clocking in late I am going to give him three days off and then the next time I am going to fire him. My partner likes him allot to and is getting pevved about his work ethic to. I am gonna give him five unexcused absenses basically unpaid sick days and a week of paid vacation I just want a two week notice on every day he is taking off. I am working on a very strict employee handbook and its time to crap or get off the pot. basically what do u do with an unruly employee who thinks they are worth more then they are. I dont think its to much to ask to work like a champ when you are payed highly. I am done with the excuses and on the verge of firing him. Do any small business owners have a employee handbook and how do u treat them with leaving early or tardiness. Everyone wants a job but not everyone wants to work. the fact is I can train another person and can the problem employee I just don't want it to come that but business is business even if it costs me a friend.

1. Document everything in a note book time clock or not. So if he decides to take you to court you have a reason that you fired him.
2. People that don't show up aren't worth anything because nothing gets done
3. Friendship is not worth your business, family or whatever
4. Start brainstorming on ideas of what you want to as an employee standard. You need a handbook on your business and how you want things to be done. IMO no one else can come up with these but you. We may be able to help with idea's but you make the final decision.
5. Have a meeting once a week or whenever you see/hear something that bothers you.
6. You might not have a lot of employees, buy them lunch once in a while or something to keep morale up.
7. Performance bonuses not necessarily cash but maybe gift cards or something like that. If you see them doing things to help at the yard they normally don't don't do.
8. If you do the Performance Bonus idea, don't tell them. Just put it in with their checks. Then when they ask you tell them. If you tell them first they would do it just for the "bonus" which I personally don't think is right.
9. One employee a month get the Bonus, not both. Because when on gets it, the word will spread and get them thinking. Not only is the bonus and or lunch once in a while is not only an incentive, but let's them know you appreciate them for what they do.

I don't in any way mean you don't know how to run your business just some idea's that might help you with problem's in the future.

#1 employees always think they are over worked and underpaid, even us, it's human nature.
#2. Employers always think their workers are over paid and underworked, again human nature, the truth usually is some where in betwen

I as in the carnival business for several years as a ride?concession owner. I paid my people well enough to make other owners mad. every year during down time about 2 months I took them all home fed them bought their cigs etc. every year they would all leave just before seasion start, I just couldnt figgure it out. what was I doing wrong?

so I asked arround from some old timers, and they to a person , man or woman. #1 "mike you treat your people too good and pay them too much. this business is a world of its own. there is a certain type person that becomes a carnie. this is their country their home you are their daddy, and these people all want and need tough love. heres what you do. pay them $15 every day for cigs beer and what ever, hold back the rest off their pay till the end of the sesion, if vthey leave before the end of the seasion they dont get the money."

#2 some time in the first two weeks of the seasion when your crew is all set and they are all with in sight, pick out the big mouth that thinks he king kong and *itch slap him silly for some small reasion.. you will have no more problems. my last few years in business I had few problems.

Employees will usually take what you let them have, and will treat you your equipment, and the job the way you allow them to.

Well you have been letting them get away with this, so it's going to be a problem making them change there ways. Talk to them one on one and tell them whats up and why the changes are going in place. After that if they mess up again it's on them!

thanks for the input everyone its helpfull. Running a business and having supposed full time employees is pretty hard I will keep u updated once I install the timeclock we will see how long he lasts and if he can follow the rules or let the door hit him where the good lord split him.

I like MikeD's way of thinking. That was along the lines of my thinking as well. I would also have a meeting with all new employees like this is your only warning so don't say I didn't tell you. Hand them a "Handbook" or sheet with all things you expect such as breaks, lunch, attendance, and ect. Give them time to read it and when they are done ask them if they have any questions. So that way they can't say you never told me or I don't remember signing anything. Just pull out what they signed and tada either they'll be in shock and walk away or not know what to say.

I agree.....shape up or ship out!!

I have have 5 guys working here full time. 4 of the 5 are great, but of course there has to be one. The man who cuts most of our material has little respect for myself or fellow employees. He storms off the jobsite atleast once a month for the most childish things. Instead of communicating with anyone he will walk off until we can figure out what he is upset about.

Man, can I relate to these hassles. I could talk all day about employee problems. Here is what works for me...Give older workers a chance and for fewer hours, Hire women (even if you think it needs a mans muscle) less ego, never hire a cigarette smoker or drinkers. When ever possible pay by the job and give them a reasonable time limit. I also give veterans a chance when ever I can, they have given me the best work overall, especially disabled vets that can still work some. I always buy lunch and I never yell at them. I tell them up front, no call no show no job, ask questions when in doubt, ask for help when you need it (safety first), if you don't like the work move on right away (no hard feelings). Either they care or they don't, handbooks and supervision make no difference in my experience. Best of luck!!

Originally Posted by PistoneScrapProcessing

I have one employee who is highly paid to cut scrap I wont say how much but I could hire two guys for what I pay him a week.

Fire him. It's not economical to pay someone double money, even if they work like a lion all day every day (which he doesn't). If you have two people cutting a standard amount of metal per day that equals the amount cut by a star employee on double money you will have increased flexibility with two employees rather than one employee.

If one is on holiday or off sick you still have the other one. Ok, if one of the two employees is sick the remaining employee will only cut half the metal of the star employee, but this is better than nothing.

Also, in terms of training, you can hire a standard cutter easier than you can find a champ. A new employee can also be trained to a standard level a lot quicker than training them to a very high level which often only comes with years of experience anyway.

Most importantly, a standard employee knows they can't have you over a barrel, because they can be replaced a lot easier.

so what you really want is some one who will produce twice as much as the last guy, for half the pay, and will take twice as much **** from you.

maybe you could find someone who will pay you to come and work for you.

you do realise that you are following reagans neo socialist economic program which got us in the mess we are in.

rush limbaugh, of all people, stated that minimum wage should be 50k a year. and he proved it by the use of cola and roi. even more amazing is how he proved that the increase in minimum wage would profitable to corporations, company's and the govt. soon after he lost his tv show and was sent back to radio.