Hiring is Fun, Firing is Not!

Personnel or Human Resources - Hiring and Firing

Whether one part of the company is more important or not.

Human Resources are the one part that if not working, can make your life Hell on earth.

We can control just about any phase of our companies operations. Your own sales, marketing, all are objective relationships; but, when it comes to people all bets are off. Just when you get thing running smoothly something changes. With people and our company this usually means something pretty important, whether it is pregnancy, death, divorce or whatever million odd things can go wrong.

Say you have two crews and one of your lead men decides that heaven on earth exists only in that state that is 1000 miles from where you are. You are not prepared, and no one you have presently can make the move to fill his shoes.

Another, an injury to a lead man keeps him temporarily off the job.

The list is endless. It truly is a remarkable Human Resource manager (of course that's you), is prepared for any and all contingencies, that come up.

Painter for hire - you're desperate, hire him on the spot. Then what? He turns out to be your worst nightmare. You would rather be shorthanded than keep him.

Another one, every night at the dinner table Joe Blows name comes up. You find yourself talking and thinking about Mr So and So.

One man may be the nicest guy, and has some serious needs like kids, a sick wife or something, and you honestly feel sorry for the guy. The problem with him is that he is a screw up. He doesn't follow directions, he is the kind of guy that breaks windows, destroys that "Blue Princess Miniature Holly" bush that costs $300 out of pocket, $200 below the deductible. And you wouldn't claim it anyway because you know your premium will go up if you use your insurance for a claim.

Painter comes in everyday reeking of alcohol; customers complain to you that the guy smells like a gin mill. How embarrassing is that?

Fire? How? What else? Can you do it well? Fast? And Painless? Or do you drag it on talking about the guy at the dinner table every day for a year?

Which would you hire?

One guy has 6 years experience; but, has been with 6 companies in that time, and you suspect a major problem with his personality. He acts like a know it all. He is obviously not a team player.

Another younger guy has zero experience; but, his attitude is refreshing. He says yes sir, no sir. He sits and leans forward when you are talking. He is neat and clean and - Eager to learn.

Trial periods, subcontractors, "hire at will", insurances, losing drivers license, stealing, all this and much more in the Human Resource manager. Layoffs, winter slow downs, holidays