charging employee's - Page 2 - Plumbing Zone

RealLivePlumber · 08-16-2010, 06:28 PM

So, for a measly hundred or so, you would risk alienating an employee? Or you could just get it done, and have a guy the would (should) (better) bend over backwards for you.

Man, if you feel that you can't help out once in a while, and do some pro bono work for an employee, it must be pretty bad.

I would not keep a guy around that I would not feel comfortable helping out.

RW Plumbing · 08-16-2010, 06:42 PM

And when's the last time you had an employee tell you to just forget a couple hundered off of their paycheck? I understand it's nice to help people out but, where do you draw the line? Do you do it for the shop kid that has only been working there for a few weeks or only helps you out occasionally?

I like to be paid for my time, no matter who it is. It's difficult enough to make payroll and do the other responsibilities that come with being a business owner, let alone do freebies. If an employee needed to use my tools to fix a problem in their OWN house I would be more than happy to allow them such. It would be different if it was a someone you've had working for you many years, and you WANT to do it.

house plumber · 08-16-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW Plumbing

And when's the last time you had an employee tell you to just forget a couple hundered off of their paycheck? I understand it's nice to help people out but, where do you draw the line? Do you do it for the shop kid that has only been working there for a few weeks or only helps you out occasionally?

I like to be paid for my time, no matter who it is. It's difficult enough to make payroll and do the other responsibilities that come with being a business owner, let alone do freebies. If an employee needed to use my tools to fix a problem in their OWN house I would be more than happy to allow them such. It would be different if it was a someone you've had working for you many years, and you WANT to do it.

If your wife has a drip in her lav faucet, do you charge her? It's not that your employee's are charging you by the hour. You are required by law to pay them, while they are out there breaking their backs making you money. Big difference. if they were charging you by hour they can walk into your office an say they're raising their rates. just like you do to customers.

Note to self: DO NOT work for RW Plumbing.

RW Plumbing · 08-16-2010, 07:55 PM

Perhaps things are better for you, but here is really bad for work. I can't just raise my rates whenever I feel like it. Well I could but I wouldn't have any work. I don't think it's evil or selfish to expect to be compensated for my work. I thought that's why I was in business.

When's the last time a secrectary at a doctors office got free surgery? Or a paralegal getting to sue people for free? I resent the implication that I am bad to work for. I treat my employees fairly and compensate them for the work they do.

Last time I checked, my employees don't bust their backs because i'm a good guy. They do it for a paycheck. I bet your employees work for a check, not because your a nice guy also. When I work I am an employee of that customer. As an employee, I expect to be paid for the service I supply.

Phat Cat · 08-16-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW Plumbing

I would charge my going rate. My employee's charge me by the hour for what they do. I don't get "favors" or any special treatment from them come payday, why should I give any? I'm running a business, and as such pay a fair price for a fair days work. I also expect to recieve that in return.

Seems like a hard line to take with an employee. We all know what we charge includes profit and overhead. It's not like they are asking you to redo all their plumbing at cost.

In general, I believe what you give comes back to you eventually.

Be nice and pay it forward.

house plumber · 08-16-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW Plumbing

Perhaps things are better for you, but here is really bad for work. I can't just raise my rates whenever I feel like it. Well I could but I wouldn't have any work. I don't think it's evil or selfish to expect to be compensated for my work. I thought that's why I was in business.

When's the last time a secrectary at a doctors office got free surgery? Or a paralegal getting to sue people for free? I resent the implication that I am bad to work for. I treat my employees fairly and compensate them for the work they do.

Last time I checked, my employees don't bust their backs because i'm a good guy. They do it for a paycheck. I bet your employees work for a check, not because your a nice guy also. When I work I am an employee of that customer. As an employee, I expect to be paid for the service I supply.

Actually I had my vasectomy done for free. What ever the insurance didn't cover the dr waived. Why? because when my ex wife was a secretary at a dr's office she would refer patients to him. And that was his way of thanking her. I didn't thank him cuz it hurt. But thats another story. It's called physician courtesy. I dont own my company. I work for someone. I have worked for the same company for almost 19 years. 2 other guys have been there for almost 30 years. bayside500 another member on here has been there about 16 years. Why? because he is a good guy to work for. We all bust our ass to make him money. And he appreciates how hard we work. We get a paycheck every year for christmas. If it's a good year we will get more than a paycheck. We will sometimes get bonuses for big jobs. Most of us take a truck home and live 20 miles from the shop, and about an hour drive each way. It's the little things that a boss does that will make your employees loyal and want to work hard. Oh he does deep sea fishing trips. Anyway didnt mean to offend you, it was just a statement.

RW Plumbing · 08-16-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlumbCrazy

Seems like a hard line to take with an employee. We all know what we charge includes profit and overhead. It's not like they are asking you to redo all their plumbing at cost.

In general, I believe what you give comes back to you eventually.

Be nice and pay it forward.

I understand what your saying completely. I guess I just don't see it that way. Plumbing is such a grey area, we all know what a simple sewer job can turn into. Also a lamen might not understand the difference between a small job and a bigger one. It is easier from a professional stand point to have a clear line drawn. I'm not above taking my employees out for a beer or giving an extra bonus for a job well done, but I draw the line at providing my lifeline for free.

There is a huge problem with the plumbing trade being devalued as a whole. What worse way to make your skillset worthless than giving your service away for free.

**SlickRick** · 08-16-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW Plumbing

I would charge my going rate. My employee's charge me by the hour for what they do. I don't get "favors" or any special treatment from them come payday, why should I give any? I'm running a business, and as such pay a fair price for a fair days work. I also expect to recieve that in return.

A bit hard core are we?

RW Plumbing · 08-16-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by house plumber

Actually I had my vasectomy done for free. What ever the insurance didn't cover the dr waived. Why? because when my ex wife was a secretary at a dr's office she would refer patients to him. And that was his way of thanking her. I didn't thank him cuz it hurt. But thats another story. It's called physician courtesy. I dont own my company. I work for someone. I have worked for the same company for almost 19 years. 2 other guys have been there for almost 30 years. bayside500 another member on here has been there about 16 years. Why? because he is a good guy to work for. We all bust our ass to make him money. And he appreciates how hard we work. We get a paycheck every year for christmas. If it's a good year we will get more than a paycheck. We will sometimes get bonuses for big jobs. Most of us take a truck home and live 20 miles from the shop, and about an hour drive each way. It's the little things that a boss does that will make your employees loyal and want to work hard. Oh he does deep sea fishing trips. Anyway didnt mean to offend you, it was just a statement.

You can't understand my point of view as well as someone who owns a business. I would consider myself lucky to be working for someone doing well enough to be able to do those things for you. It has alot to do with his crew you including i'm sure. My current situation doesn't allow me to give bonuses or fishing trips. I would do so for my employees, as they are a great crew. Right now I am more concerned with keeping my doors open so they can collect a paycheck and not join the hundereds of other people sitting collecting unemployment. Our union has 600+ journeyman plumbers sitting right now.

I can't afford to work on anyone's stuff for free. The hard working members of my crew can solve their own plumbing problems, so it wouldn't even be necessary.

Phat Cat · 08-16-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RW Plumbing

I understand what your saying completely. I guess I just don't see it that way. Plumbing is such a grey area, we all know what a simple sewer job can turn into. Also a lamen might not understand the difference between a small job and a bigger one. It is easier from a professional stand point to have a clear line drawn. I'm not above taking my employees out for a beer or giving an extra bonus for a job well done, but I draw the line at providing my lifeline for free.

There is a huge problem with the plumbing trade being devalued as a whole. What worse way to make your skillset worthless than giving your service away for free.

We can agree to disagree on this. I do understand your thoughts on this and in the example above, I can see charging something on a much bigger job (maybe).

Here's an example of something an employee was willing to do for me:

In 2008, I had to go out of town for over a week because my mother was admitted to the hospital. Our employee knew that my husband was home alone with three kids and doing double duty at the office. His live in girlfriend, who cleans homes for a living, volunteered to come over to our home to professionally clean it and provide a meal. My husband politely declined.

Fast forward, this employee has since moved back home (600 miles away) to help his father's plumbing business (due to a heart attack). He decided to stay home and whenever he calls for advice or help, we do what we can.

He is not our friend and we are not his friend. We both give out of mutual respect for the other.

08-16-2010, 06:28 PM	#11
RealLivePlumber Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,429 My Photos	So, for a measly hundred or so, you would risk alienating an employee? Or you could just get it done, and have a guy the would (should) (better) bend over backwards for you. Man, if you feel that you can't help out once in a while, and do some pro bono work for an employee, it must be pretty bad. I would not keep a guy around that I would not feel comfortable helping out. __________________ RealLivePlumber You can make it happen, you can watch it happen, or you can wonder wtf happened. Phil Harris 2009

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08-16-2010, 06:42 PM	#12
RW Plumbing Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 863 My Photos	And when's the last time you had an employee tell you to just forget a couple hundered off of their paycheck? I understand it's nice to help people out but, where do you draw the line? Do you do it for the shop kid that has only been working there for a few weeks or only helps you out occasionally? I like to be paid for my time, no matter who it is. It's difficult enough to make payroll and do the other responsibilities that come with being a business owner, let alone do freebies. If an employee needed to use my tools to fix a problem in their OWN house I would be more than happy to allow them such. It would be different if it was a someone you've had working for you many years, and you WANT to do it.

08-16-2010, 07:55 PM	#14
RW Plumbing Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 863 My Photos	Perhaps things are better for you, but here is really bad for work. I can't just raise my rates whenever I feel like it. Well I could but I wouldn't have any work. I don't think it's evil or selfish to expect to be compensated for my work. I thought that's why I was in business. When's the last time a secrectary at a doctors office got free surgery? Or a paralegal getting to sue people for free? I resent the implication that I am bad to work for. I treat my employees fairly and compensate them for the work they do. Last time I checked, my employees don't bust their backs because i'm a good guy. They do it for a paycheck. I bet your employees work for a check, not because your a nice guy also. When I work I am an employee of that customer. As an employee, I expect to be paid for the service I supply.