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there's always a surprise inside

Ah, the old "you can't get good help these days" song. I sing it, my father sang it, Moses (no relation though my kids think that he apprenticed under me) probably sang it too. Yes, good installers are hard to find. The good ones have steady jobs and aren't interested in talking to you. The bad ones will tell you that they have worked for this shop (but got laid off), for that shop (which closed down), that other place (fired this time for using the company CC*), cut trees for a few years, spent time in jail (or rehab or on the lam from a wife or..). Hmm, but can you give a guy a 2nd chance? Don't you mean 22nd? It's an uphill battle. Paul - I love that comment. However, at times I think half is being generous. UFB - LOVE LOVE LOVE that graphic. * - relative of my wife really did get fired for running up "ONLY $2500.00" on the company CC for personal expenses and seriously couldn't understand why he got canned, and why he ended up in court. He would have paid it back eventually. SIGH.

BTW this is a nationwide epidemic getting skilled labor and people that will work.

We rarely hire from within the industry, unless we poach them from another shop.

We stopped doing this years ago on the recommendation of our insurance carrier. We were advised if the employee is injured when in our shop we would be subject to workmen's compensation. It did not matter if they were on the clock or not.

This is a no win for the owner. Yes I allow my employees to make their own projects for their own usage. They can do it on their time only They let me know before they start and tell me what it is for and what they are going to use. In General, I have no real concerns or problems. If it keeps everyone happy, so be it. Here is the problems........ It amazes me how fast they get their work completed, start to finish. Why cant they do my work as fast ? I let them use everything and anything they need to. Complete access to everything. I ask that they pay for all new materials, ( Sometimes ) Otherwise I hope they use scraps if they can When they have to reach into their pockets to pay, it becomes a fight on material costs. Ask about Labor Costs and they will tell how many minutes they used. Forget about any damages to my equipment, Don't go there because it would have happened at anytime. You cant win on this subject. When I see them abuse the " Benefits " I stop it.

Sooner or later they (employees) always take advantage of a great situation. I allow my employees to build small projects for themselves, not for resale. If they need something for their kids team, a B Day, Anniversary... I'm cool with that. I let them work on their vehicles, borrow a trailer and truck to move. But when it comes to money, regardless of the amount. If it's happening in my shop, it's my money.

I would have no problem with personal projects, but I wouldn't allow projects for profit, you're fitting all the overhead and more.