[chipster]

I am concerned about the health of painters and I think some responsibility falls on the employers of larger painting contractors.

I have been involved in some form of construction for many years and I always have notice these traits of the majority of painters on all the jobs I have been on:

- alcohol problems
- drug problems
- obesity
- marital problems
- bring personal drama onto the jobsite
- poor dental hygiene (for those 2 or 3 teethe they still have):thumbup:
- poor hygiene
- loud mouth clowns on the job (want to be the center of attention)
- more talk then work getting done
- laziness
- too many sick days
- sloppy

IMHO I feel if you employers could figure ways to correct these issues it would help improve the stereotype painters receive and help improve the quality of life for your painters. Lets face it, they are the most important part of your business. More important then the latest software bean counter software program!

 

[Paul_R]

Hey man, I'm sorry, but what is your point? I have been drinking tto much, cuz my wife is yelling at me to get off her computer, and my fat ask is glued to this comfy chair.Woah,.I employed myself so who can I blame? BIG OIL, and Pres Bush too.

Drink up buddy and lighten up! Hey what uniform is that footballer wearing?

Paul :drink:

 

[chipster]

Colts, your 07/08 Super Bowl Winners!

 

[Paul_R]

Whoa man, are you in INDY?

 

[Paul_R]

If so I am north by northwest of you in Lafayette.

 

[chipster]

I'm in MD, but still a fan even though they left us high and dry years ago and moved to Indy. Now we have the Ravens, egh!

 

[vermontpainter]

I am concerned about the health of painters and I think some responsibility falls on the employers of larger painting contractors.

I have been involved in some form of construction for many years and I always have notice these traits of the majority of painters on all the jobs I have been on:

- alcohol problems
- drug problems
- obesity
- marital problems
- bring personal drama onto the jobsite
- poor dental hygiene (for those 2 or 3 teethe they still have):thumbup:
- poor hygiene
- loud mouth clowns on the job (want to be the center of attention)
- more talk then work getting done
- laziness
- too many sick days
- sloppy

IMHO I feel if you employers could figure ways to correct these issues it would help improve the stereotype painters receive and help improve the quality of life for your painters. Lets face it, they are the most important part of your business. More important then the latest software bean counter software program!

It all goes back to the quality of the paint company you are building, which kind of goes hand in hand with the quality of the people you hire. If you have a business where you hire employees to complete the work, it should be mission critical to be hiring people that you yourself would want to sit and have dinner with. That way, when you send them into a customers home, the customer will be comfortable with them, in fact even like them. When you get these people, treat them like gold.

 

[Rich]

I feel if you employers could figure ways to correct these issues

with all due respect

we are all responsible for our own actions, it is NOT (I will repeat NOT) up to any employer to "figure ways to correct" employees shortcomings

the only thing that an employer can do is to screen more heavily and maybe require references upon employment or simply to use a "3 strikes and you're out" rule

I do see the point of your post, but it's also easy for people to point fingers in this trade (your post) and THAT also sends a bad message

 

[slickshift]

I feel if you employers could figure ways to correct these issues:

- alcohol problems
- drug problems
- obesity
- marital problems
- bring personal drama onto the jobsite
- poor dental hygiene (for those 2 or 3 teethe they still have):thumbup:
- poor hygiene
- loud mouth clowns on the job (want to be the center of attention)
- more talk then work getting done
- laziness
- too many sick days
- sloppy

Every single one of those is an employee issue, not a problem an employer can fix, except by firing the employee with the aforementioned problems

...and you forgot smelly azz, maybe the employer could wipe everyone's butt after they punch in

 

[George Z]

It all goes back to the quality of the paint company you are building, which kind of goes hand in hand with the quality of the people you hire. If you have a business where you hire employees to complete the work, it should be mission critical to be hiring people that you yourself would want to sit and have dinner with. That way, when you send them into a customers home, the customer will be comfortable with them, in fact even like them. When you get these people, treat them like gold.

Exactly!

 

[Joewho]

Alcohol, drugs, obesity and bad teeth are all potential insurance issues.

These things are common in all the trades. Hell, these things are just common.

 

[JTP]

Chiptser--Do you Hook and Reel?

Lately, you seem to be employing a baiting strategy to ask questions. For instance, stereotyping painters is simply a way to tell me there is a high liklihood I fall into one of the denigrating catagories you put forth in your thread.

As most folks know, stereotypes are useful for making fun of people or writing comic strips. I don't know how many painting contractors you have worked for, if you paint solo, paint at all, paint for friends, or what, but I can tell you I know lots of people who aren't painters with a poor sense of self-esteem. And these are the types who have a tendency toward self destructive behavior. Of course, there are some painters with poor self-esteem too!

Now ********, if you do respond--make sure you understand the title of this post. And have some fun in your life.

JTP

 

[ProWallGuy]

I don't know how many painting contractors you have worked for, if you paint solo, paint at all, paint for friends, or what

That is the question of the day. I'm just a booger flick away from putting him on 'bozo status'.

 

[timhag]

smelly azz,

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[timhag]

I'm just a booger flick away from putting him on 'bozo status'.

:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

 

[Safety Guy]

I am concerned about the health of painters and I think some responsibility falls on the employers of larger painting contractors. I am your employer not you your: Mom, wife, or priest..

I have been involved in some form of construction for many years and I always have notice these traits of the majority of painters on all the jobs I have been on:

- alcohol problems People with a drinking problem will have that problem untill they are ready to fix it.
- drug problems Drug testing can only go so far, people figure out ways to cheat.
- obesity They should eat less and exercise more.
- marital problems Get a divorce.
- bring personal drama onto the jobsite Don't tolerate it.
- poor dental hygiene (for those 2 or 3 teethe they still have):thumbup: We screen all new hires for teeth.
- poor hygiene Put them on a powerwashing job.
- loud mouth clowns on the job (want to be the center of attention) Show them the door.
- more talk then work getting done See the above response.
- laziness See the above response.
- too many sick days See the above response.
- sloppy See the above response.

IMHO I feel if you employers could figure ways to correct these issues it would help improve the stereotype painters receive and help improve the quality of life for your painters. Lets face it, they are the most important part of your business. More important then the latest software bean counter software program!

I hate to say but there is a reason for sterotypes in most cases. As I stated , I am your employer not your mother!!

 

[Housepainter]

While I am a Work-alone on most jobs, I have to agree with Safety Guy. I spent the first 20 years working in management in a service related field and our employees should be treated with the three "F's" Firm, fair and friendly. Someone above mentioned we want to build our business... but our customers perceive us as what they see... both in results on work accomplished and what our crews look like when they show up to do the work.
As an illustration: One of the larger multi-crew operations bid on a contract to paint the local airport in a near-by city. Out of 80 painters they had 10 who were allowed to work at the airport (security). Issues included, alcohol, drugs, and criminal issues for the other 70 workers.

Like I said I work alone at this point (with a couple of fellow) guys I can call on if time or job size dictates the need. However should I ever decide to hire...I guess the who and what would be a major consideration.:yes:

 

[painter jeff]

I am concerned about the health of painters and I think some responsibility falls on the employers of larger painting contractors.

I have been involved in some form of construction for many years and I always have notice these traits of the majority of painters on all the jobs I have been on:

- alcohol problems
- drug problems
- obesity
- marital problems
- bring personal drama onto the jobsite
- poor dental hygiene (for those 2 or 3 teethe they still have):thumbup:
- poor hygiene
- loud mouth clowns on the job (want to be the center of attention)
- more talk then work getting done
- laziness
- too many sick days
- sloppy

IMHO I feel if you employers could figure ways to correct these issues it would help improve the stereotype painters receive and help improve the quality of life for your painters. Lets face it, they are the most important part of your business. More important then the latest software bean counter software program!

********.... you make very good points, to a certain point.....These areas need to be addressed, but you are asking the wrong people to fix them...
As a employer we give our employees a very good wage, but what they do with it is their business....Until it starts interfering with our business.....

A old painter once told me, its not how much money you make, its how you spend it.....Employees need to figure a better way to spend it...We as employers can only do so much for a employee...at that point they have to do for themselves ...

 

[CobraCDN]

I've also been in the trade for years, and it's not just painters, in fact I think the iron workers where the champs at drinking lol. Though alcoholism has been a major problem for years and years for painters as a whole. IBPAT has addressed that issue many times over the years, it's one of those things, help is out there but you have to be willing to take it.

Some of the direct to employment issues you mention should be dealt with by the employer or foreman directly. If one is not doing his or her job, then they need to be dealt with and if they are unwilling to change their ways, a dismissal would be in order.

I don't think the average employer is qualified to deal with another's marital probs or drug habit... thats a whole other profession, and if your in the Union there are programs that will get you help. Letting such employees go on and on with any of these probs is not good for the business or the employee themselves.

One thing I have noticed is many employers out there (non union) do not have any benefit plans.. that it itself would be a positive step for both employer and employee.

Cheers

 

[painter jeff]

You are right, employers can fix it to a certain point....All employers can find a good staffing agency to put their employees through....Staffing agencies has the means to offer health insurance,dental,eye, life insurance,and 401k....At a cheaper rate to a employee... They also do back round checks, drug testing, wc,weekly taxes,payroll, and a lot of other thing for employers ,and employees......

Now here comes the hard part....how many employees are going to turn your friends, neighbors, and family, in for illegal workers, and illegal business , doing wrong dealings,like paying cash under table, and so ons. Everyone knows right from wrong, how many employees are going to do the right thing, and stop these people that are doing bad business?

Legal company's need help from employees also....its not just the companies trying to stop illegal businesses, employees have to help stop them...

So the next time you look in a mirror , look closely at what type employee you are, then decide then how far you are willing to go to help legal business, to get what you are asking employers for....Can it be done ? Yes it can! But at what price do you want to pay for it ?