[Mopaint]

Fellow Painters, I have a problem. I have an employee who I hired as a helper 6 months ago. He is a disaster. Everyday I am cleaning up one of his mistakes or checking behind him. Today I had him tape off the base to carpet. White going back same color oil semi-gloss. I gave him a 1 1/2 brush and he still got paint on the carpet in 3 or 4 areas. I hate to fire a guy in the middle of winter he is a newly wed with a newborne and a good worker other than just not having the touch or the eye for the high end work we do. I also hate to pay his unemployment that this could create if he doesn't find work. Thanks for any advice. MOPAINT

 

[timhag]

Fellow Painters, I have a problem. He is a disaster. Everyday I am cleaning up one of his mistakes

What are you waiting on? Gotta leave the personal feeling out.

 

[timhag]

I also hate to pay his unemployment that this could create if he doesn't find work. Thanks for any advice. MOPAINT

May cost you more to keep him.

 

[Kelly Painting]

I have to agree.... have you had "the talk" with him first?

Be honest...say you are thinking of letting him go. Listen to what he says.
Maybe he doesn't want to be there either.

 

[Mopaint]

never thought of that Kelly. He might be relieved.

 

[PressurePros]

Mopaint, firing is one of the unpleasantries of business ownership. The one thing I guage in an employee as the most critical is being dependable. If this guy is there every day, on time, sober and willing to work I'd give him an opportunity for retraining. You should be straight and firm with him and let him know where you stand. He is there to help, not hinder the operation. Point out to him what he is doing right then lead into what he is doing not so right. Ask him if there is anything you can do to help him increase his work performance for the better. Bring up three scenarios where he has caused problems by not following direction or taking his time. I'm attaching two documents we use when addressing employee performance reprimands.

 

[ProWallGuy]

Great post Ken! Do you mind posting those forms in the File Swap thread too?

 

[PressurePros]

PWG, sure..
I just added them.

 

[crow]

It sounds like ya given the guy a fair frame of time to get it together, It can be hard to fire a employee, unless hes your brother in law , then ya look for a reason! but,,sounds like hes costing ya, where he aught to be making ya, sounds kinda high risk, but ya gotta go with whats in your own heart. nobody wants to see a family suffer, but if ya had to pick would it be his or yours??? you'll do the right thing. I think ya already know what your gonna do.thats all part of being the chief. its not always a smooth road to walk on.

 

[Chameleon]

I have one of those guys !!!! He is a disaster....but he is there on time every day, and can communicate better than swing a brush. I hired another guy to swing the brush and moved this guy to m personal go getter. He drives my truck, picks up materials, drops the materials, and instructs my other employees what to do....and warns them what I will be looking for in quality. Try to find his strong point, and develop it to your needs.

 

[PressurePros]

Chameleon, great management on your part !

 

[Rich]

Try to find his strong point, and develop it to your needs

great advice

 

[Mopaint]

Thanks guys, Good advice Ken. The thing is he is making my life miserable he is like an accident waiting to happen. I think I am going with Crow on this one. Thanks again. Mike

 

[Chameleon]

Keep Smiling ....I know time is money, but sometime you have to be patient. Believe me, two years ago I would have stopped this guy in the middle of a brush stroke and sent him to the unemployment line. There is alot to say for a dependable guy who has the desire to show up on time every day and try. If it helps any, have him prepare things for you, and check his work regularly....tell him what your looking for, and what his mistakes are. No more painting for awhile.

 

[Mopaint]

Thanks guys, but I went ahead and let him go today. I got some complaints from the customer plus I can't keep him from throwing butts on the ground. Just too many strikes were against him. MOPAINT

 

[Kelly Painting]

You have successfully moved him closer to the type of work he should be doing...you helped him.

 

[Mopaint]

Thanks Kelly I agree. This was a tough one for me. Maybe he will break on through to the other side. Mike

 

[Chameleon]

Who knows he may end up in a job where he has to pick up cigarette butts all day !? :whistling2:

Being the head Honcho has its downfalls doesn't it....I hate firing!

 

[crow]

Kinda reminds me of a dog we had once,, it was always gettin into trouble, but I put up with em, till he turned on one a my youngbloods, then it was real easy to put a 12 in him! theres always a line that cannot be crossed no matter what. or who.

 

[hergott.sons1]

My experience is he may not be ready to apply paint, period. Use him only as a prep man and explain that this position would be part time only. How much experience did he have from previous employers?