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When hiring new employees what approach do you take? Such as: What questions do you feel are important to ask? Do you drug test? Do you field test them to see where their skill level is at? And so forth.

LoCo86 said:

When hiring new employees what approach do you take? Such as: What questions do you feel are important to ask? Do you drug test? Do you field test them to see where their skill level is at? And so forth.

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Hire under 30 day probation period, in there hiring packet include page that states we randomly drug test. Ask if they have a family and socially drink, i stay away from drinkers. Employees with family responsibilitys are much more reliable. Ask them if they see themselves doing this kind of work in 5 years. Have them sign a non competion agreement if your state allows. Use your instincts and if they dont work out start over. There are good workers out there that speak enough english to communicate with. I will say pay 1.00 more than most you get better workers i start everyone at 9.00 min

First thing I do is look at their Facebook page it will tell you what kind of person they are. If they make it passed that I have them come out to a job and talk to them for about 30 mins.
Things that I will not hire them for.
Dressing like a bum ( baggy pants, shoes not tied, shirts or pants with holes )
Walking or standing with hands in pockets.
Throwing cig butts on the ground ( I smoke and put my butts in my pocket)

Must pass a drug test and background

I prefer that they have not done a lot of lawn care that way I can train them my way. First 30 days $9.00 a hour then jump up to $11.00 I pay for shirts and gloves.

Phones stay in the truck
If I see you start a mower and not check the oil you pay me $5.00
If your late or miss a day without calling me your gone. If your late two days in one week your gone.
If after the first 30 days you can not do a yard on your own your gone.

It sounds dangerous to put butts in you pocket

It can be a safety hazard

Recruit veterans. Most work harder than anybody else, and know how to drink and still show up sober. (You don't hire social drinkers? Ridiculous) The butts in the pocket is second nature to us. We're used to a uniform, and know how to do things somebody else's way. However, $9 an hour won't last long. Unless they're in college. No drugs is something we're used to. Anything else?

If you snoop folks Facebook pages, you're silly. Check mine out. Has zero bearing on my work life or ethic. If you can glean enough info to tell anything about me. Hands in pockets? I've got one that's got some damage. It gets cold. If it ain't in use, it goes in a pocket in cold weather. I couldn't care how somebody dresses outside of work. State you have a dress code.

combatcarl said:

Recruit veterans. Most work harder than anybody else, and know how to drink and still show up sober. (You don't hire social drinkers? Ridiculous) The butts in the pocket is second nature to us. We're used to a uniform, and know how to do things somebody else's way. However, $9 an hour won't last long. Unless they're in college. No drugs is something we're used to. Anything else? If you snoop folks Facebook pages, you're silly. Check mine out. Has zero bearing on my work life or ethic. If you can glean enough info to tell anything about me. Hands in pockets? I've got one that's got some damage. It gets cold. If it ain't in use, it goes in a pocket in cold weather. I couldn't care how somebody dresses outside of work. State you have a dress code.

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In Nashville,Tennessee 9.00 an hour is a above average starting pay wages have taken major drop backward in last 12 months you will have highly educated people apply even at 8.00 here. Sad but just how it is now.

Min wage here is nearly 10 an hr

My old boss does a phone interview then checks your references then person to person interview random drug tests at least once every month or two . When he hires you he does a one day trial period working with him if you pass that you on a 90 trial period with the crews he starts 10 cents over min after 90 days he gives u a 1 dollar raise he had crazy standards of appearance and doesn't allow smoking at or near job sites no customer should ever see or smell smoke on you or truck. Cloths well fitting and clean and up to osha standards steel toe shoes year round he catches you without he sends you home and may not invite you back. He won't hire someone who appears to not take care of themselves if they can't take care of themself how can he trust them to take care when he's not looking his hiring process I thought was insane untill I saw the results he had good people good clean business and people were.comfortable with us

i do this part time but got to the point of either hiring a helper or giving up some yards.....found a man who is a college student to help me on saturdays....he had lawncare experience and knew his way around....hired him to weedeat but ended up letting him cut every third yard to give him a break from heat and humidity....worked out good this year...i was able to keep all yards and add some....paid him 10 dollars an hour.....works out to about 20 percent of revenue.....start at daylite on saturday and be through by 4......would have took me 2 days to do the same work by myself

exotion said:

Min wage here is nearly 10 an hr

My old boss does a phone interview then checks your references then person to person interview random drug tests at least once every month or two . When he hires you he does a one day trial period working with him if you pass that you on a 90 trial period with the crews he starts 10 cents over min after 90 days he gives u a 1 dollar raise he had crazy standards of appearance and doesn't allow smoking at or near job sites no customer should ever see or smell smoke on you or truck. Cloths well fitting and clean and up to osha standards steel toe shoes year round he catches you without he sends you home and may not invite you back. He won't hire someone who appears to not take care of themselves if they can't take care of themself how can he trust them to take care when he's not looking his hiring process I thought was insane untill I saw the results he had good people good clean business and people were.comfortable with us

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Your boss was smart. It doesn't cost him hardly anything to do those things and he could go after the high roller customers.... or CLIENTs you might even say:thumbsup:

exotion said:

Min wage here is nearly 10 an hr My old boss does a phone interview then checks your references then person to person interview random drug tests at least once every month or two . When he hires you he does a one day trial period working with him if you pass that you on a 90 trial period with the crews he starts 10 cents over min after 90 days he gives u a 1 dollar raise he had crazy standards of appearance and doesn't allow smoking at or near job sites no customer should ever see or smell smoke on you or truck. Cloths well fitting and clean and up to osha standards steel toe shoes year round he catches you without he sends you home and may not invite you back. He won't hire someone who appears to not take care of themselves if they can't take care of themself how can he trust them to take care when he's not looking his hiring process I thought was insane untill I saw the results he had good people good clean business and people were.comfortable with us

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Sounds like he spent some time in the military and brought some of that life to his business. Sounds a lot like how i run the show. It is good to know someone is still running a business with employee standards. I usually go through a couple college kids every year. My dad even quit working for me one day. I don't snoop their Facebook or anything. I'll ask them if they have a problem with being critiqued, taking orders and be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there. Keep a neat appearance, never let the customers see you not doing something. Obviously don't smoke around/in the trucks or customers houses. N

exotion said:

Min wage here is nearly 10 an hr My old boss does a phone interview then checks your references then person to person interview random drug tests at least once every month or two . When he hires you he does a one day trial period working with him if you pass that you on a 90 trial period with the crews he starts 10 cents over min after 90 days he gives u a 1 dollar raise he had crazy standards of appearance and doesn't allow smoking at or near job sites no customer should ever see or smell smoke on you or truck. Cloths well fitting and clean and up to osha standards steel toe shoes year round he catches you without he sends you home and may not invite you back. He won't hire someone who appears to not take care of themselves if they can't take care of themself how can he trust them to take care when he's not looking his hiring process I thought was insane untill I saw the results he had good people good clean business and people were.comfortable with us

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Sounds like he spent some time in the military and brought some of that life to his business. Sounds a lot like how i run the show. It is good to know someone is still running a business with employee standards. I usually go through a couple college kids every year. My dad even quit working for me one day. I don't snoop their Facebook or anything. I'll ask them if they have a problem with being critiqued, taking orders and be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there. Keep a neat appearance, never let the customers see you not doing something. Obviously don't smoke around/in the trucks or customers houses. N

Mid TN Lawn said:

In Nashville,Tennessee 9.00 an hour is a above average starting pay wages have taken major drop backward in last 12 months you will have highly educated people apply even at 8.00 here. Sad but just how it is now.

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Wow. Rough. I didn't mean to sound like a hardass there. Apologies if I did. But seriously, look for vets. I know here, in OR, you will have to start paying a buck over minimum pretty soon, unless you want to churn through lots of McD's quality employees. The outfit I run is just myself, and just a side job, so I don't need to worry about hiring or firing.

Carscw said:

First thing I do is look at their Facebook page it will tell you what kind of person they are. If they make it passed that I have them come out to a job and talk to them for about 30 mins.
Things that I will not hire them for.
Dressing like a bum ( baggy pants, shoes not tied, shirts or pants with holes )
Walking or standing with hands in pockets.
Throwing cig butts on the ground ( I smoke and put my butts in my pocket)

Must pass a drug test and background

I prefer that they have not done a lot of lawn care that way I can train them my way. First 30 days $9.00 a hour then jump up to $11.00 I pay for shirts and gloves.

Phones stay in the truck
If I see you start a mower and not check the oil you pay me $5.00
If your late or miss a day without calling me your gone. If your late two days in one week your gone.
If after the first 30 days you can not do a yard on your own your gone.

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Wow, I wouldn't work for any of you. :confused2: Your requirements are ridiculous to say nothing about being board-line discrimination and don't come close to conforming to most state guidelines.

Mid TN Lawn said:

Hire under 30 day probation period, in there hiring packet include page that states we randomly drug test. Ask if they have a family and socially drink, i stay away from drinkers. Employees with family responsibilitys are much more reliable. Ask them if they see themselves doing this kind of work in 5 years. Have them sign a non competion agreement if your state allows. Use your instincts and if they dont work out start over. There are good workers out there that speak enough english to communicate with. I will say pay 1.00 more than most you get better workers i start everyone at 9.00 min

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My reason for avoiding drinkers is simple have I had employees who say they don't have a problem but beer cans and whiskey bottles would be hidden on job site. We kept a heavy equip operator for 25 years even though we new he had kept a fifth in his vest everyday he died from it this year. We always worried would be tosha on job site or accident but we got away with him for 25 years. I just do not want that sort of worry anymore. Also just because I start someone at 9.00 does not mean they stay there at one point my lowest paid employee was 14.65.
The equipment operator whom died this year was paid 1000. Week salary for last ten years. He was also helped with heavy equip maintenence.

I try to hire students. They are ready to work and don't need a huge wage. I make sure this student is a hard working one and that he is ready to work hard and won't cry and complain.

I also check his Facebook page. If I see that he is a party boy well he is out.

The test? Make him mow my overly grown newly layed sod in my backyard. If he can mow that and trim around he is good to me. I tend to see when one is good or not for mowing. Some just have that touch to trim like a pro or do straight lines. Some are just no good and go back home.

As for clothing, well I am not too picky. Myself I wear old cloth. But, most of the time we both wear green shirts and have steel toe. I tend to go fast with my mowers and I don't want to chop off some toes and remove them from the bagger to get them stiched back up. What is the point to dress well and mess up my nice cloth? All tho, next year I am looking for some company shirts I can get done for not too much.

I know my worker is good. He is always on time and waits for me outside in his entrance. He hops in the truck and mows all day with me without crying. He is never drunk.

For that drug thing... I think a lot of people on the forum might of allready smoke a joint once in a while or get drunk one night. So what? As long that he does not bring good ole Jack for mowing or a bag of Marie Jane, it is fine with me. If he was a drug addict or alcoholic he would surely not work with me.

All decent points. Whatever works for ya. I drink. How much, and how often, is my business. Ask me, and if you're a prospective employer, I'll say no. I spent 2 1/2 out of almost 5 years playing the drink like a fish and show up for work sober game. Most kids out there can't do that, you are correct there. I don't get the Facebook checking, though. I know why you think it gives insight into someone's work ethic, but most times, it won't. I'm a little old school, I guess. Show up, work your butt off and appear neat on the clock, and I don't really care about your personal life.

A lot of you guys sound pretty strict. I probably wouldn't work for over half of you. As far as dressing goes just make sure you dress like a normal person does and not wear pants full of holes and also don't wear anything that's offensive. Drug and alcohol wise, one of my workers smokes pot about twice a week but he doesn't screw around. He come to work when I need him and he does the job right. And nothing is wrong with someone who drinks. As long as they come to work sober and they do the job right, there should be no reason to not have him work. If you're really concerned about cigarette smoking then have them smoke e-cigs. They're cheaper and they don't leave a bad smell.

Just because someone drinks/smokes, it doesn't always mean that they're nothing but trash.

And another thing, I personally think that the whole "checking his/her facebook" thing is kinda stalkerish. I don't give a flying f*** what they do away from work, as long as it ain't illegal.

Carscw said:

If I see you start a mower and not check the oil you pay me $5.00...

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I check my oil every other day. I highly doubt that one day it's gonna be full of oil, then the next day it's dry as hell (unless theres a pool of oil sitting on my shed floor).

By looking at their Facebook you can see if their life is full of drama. People who have a lot of drama in their life always has some reason they can't work today. They have to do this or something came up always some bull ****.
Smoking pot puts me at risk and can cost me money. What if they are driving my truck and someone pulls out in front of them and he hits them and they die. They find pot in his blood. I am screwed.

Carscw said:

By looking at their Facebook you can see if their life is full of drama. People who have a lot of drama in their life always has some reason they can't work today. They have to do this or something came up always some bull ****.
Smoking pot puts me at risk and can cost me money. What if they are driving my truck and someone pulls out in front of them and he hits them and they die. They find pot in his blood. I am screwed.

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When it comes to pot, your situation makes perfect sense. My view is different because my business is smaller (since I operate in a trailer park) and the largest thing that gets operated is my lawn tractor. So I'm not worried about the whole "crashing" thing.

As far as facebook goes, my life can be full of drama at times but I still work everyday. Someone who doesn't want to work always finds a reason to get the day off. You shouldn't be trying to get a job if you know you are going to be taking all these days off for garbage reasons. Work is a priority.

X-man said:

And another thing, I personally think that the whole "checking his/her facebook" thing is kinda stalkerish. I don't give a flying f*** what they do away from work, as long as it ain't illegal.

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Where I live in Tennessee pot is still illegal. As far as checking Facebook goes I can see Carsaw's point. I would not want anyone working for me who has pictures posted of them doing wreck less things ( such as pictures of them doing drugs, holding assault rifles in a thug like manner, or posting statuses that would be considered conduct unbecoming). Facebook is a public forum that everyone, even your clients, can view. So it would not be worth the hassle to hire someone who shows this type of personal ethic. Your are correct in the fact that just because they do drugs that they are not good workers. I used to work construction with some guys who had to be high to lay tile and they did a great job at it too. However, the liability still exists and can present a danger, maybe not in your view, but judges view if your were to be sued for negligence in the event of a accident where someone was hurt no matter how small your company is. He is still your employee under your supervision.

I do not know how any times a day I check oil. I know it is more than twice.

A few years ago I checked my oil at the first start up of the day on the fourth yard my engine went to knocking. The dip stick tube had a crack and lost all the oil.

I also clean air filters twice a day.
I let my mowers run in neutral with the brake/clutch pedal up to warm up the engine and the hydro fluid for a min every yard before I move the mower.

Before you come to work for me you know where I stand on everything. There are to many people looking for work for me to hire some dumb azz.

Had one worker that said if we strap down the mowers they won't move around on the trailer. My reply was learn to drive and they won't move.

X-man said:

A lot of you guys sound pretty strict. I probably wouldn't work for over half of you. As far as dressing goes just make sure you dress like a normal person does and not wear pants full of holes and also don't wear anything that's offensive. Drug and alcohol wise, one of my workers smokes pot about twice a week but he doesn't screw around. He come to work when I need him and he does the job right. And nothing is wrong with someone who drinks. As long as they come to work sober and they do the job right, there should be no reason to not have him work. If you're really concerned about cigarette smoking then have them smoke e-cigs. They're cheaper and they don't leave a bad smell. Just because someone drinks/smokes, it doesn't always mean that they're nothing but trash.

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Thats cool if you wouldn't want work for me. With you owning your own business i you never have to work for anyone else ever again. I truly wish you all the success in the world.

i do agree with some of the stuff u guys are saying here ....I used to drink and had a drug prob when i was a teen ..Been clean for 20 years no drugs no booze....I don't want people doing it at my shop or during work hours what u do at home is your bizz not mine as long as it dose not interfere with your job or the Quality of work u do...I don't care ...I have fired guys for showing up at the shop drunk or fried i can tell by just looking at u i used to do it....i don't want people acting like an idiot at the shop ether ..I don't tolerate stupidity or people being unsafe ...I have 3 rules come to work on time ,do your job and be safe while doing it and if u cant do it right go home ... u get 3 strikes with me then your out :banana:

Carscw said:

My reply was learn to drive and they won't move.

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So in other words, you've never had anything come in through the back window of a pickup and out through the windshield. :cool2:

briggs said:

i do agree with some of the stuff u guys are saying here ....I used to drink and had a drug prob when i was a teen ..Been clean for 20 years no drugs no booze....I don't want people doing it at my shop or during work hours what u do at home is your bizz not mine as long as it dose not interfere with your job or the Quality of work u do...I don't care ...I have fired guys for showing up at the shop drunk or fried i can tell by just looking at u i used to do it....i don't want people acting like an idiot at the shop ether ..I don't tolerate stupidity or people being unsafe ...I have 3 rules come to work on time ,do your job and be safe while doing it and if u cant do it right go home ... u get 3 strikes with me then your out :banana:

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I completely agree with you.
One of my workers actually does a better job when he's higher than hell, but from a liability standpoint, I'd much rather him do a little worse when he's sober. Thankfully he doesn't smoke as much as he used to anymore (we've had a few discussions).

buzzzmeister said:

So in other words, you've never had anything come in through the back window of a pickup and out through the windshield. :cool2:

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No not a 1000 pound mower

Carscw said:

I do not know how any times a day I check oil. I know it is more than twice.

A few years ago I checked my oil at the first start up of the day on the fourth yard my engine went to knocking. The dip stick tube had a crack and lost all the oil.....

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Did you notice any oil on your trailer floor?

X-man said:

Did you notice any oil on your trailer floor?

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No it had a crack in the tube so only pushed oil out when running.
Maybe if it was no raining out I would have saw it in time.

Carscw said:

No it had a crack in the tube so only pushed oil out when running.
Maybe if it was no raining out I would have saw it in time.

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Assuming it's a ZTR, you probably wouldn't have seen it, rain or shine.