Back to looking for Saturday helper

[Chasingmytail]

Totally given up with students. The last boy I had messaged me this morning after 9am to say he was sick (funny that on FB at midnight). I was paying well and offering to drive home. 3 times he's let me down over the last few weeks and its no benefit to me.

Some of these lads are so flimsy, drinking red bull and crisps, no drive. Only like to do the nice jobs. Only want to mess with sheep. Even though they have no other income this is a good job. This last lad shows little lust for life has no passion for finding a job really. Not a typical farm worker in my eyes. Husband didnt think much of him. Prev boy was good but not a lot of strength there and once he had him fencing he was so knackered he didnt want to come back.

Thinking of looking for a retired gent. Someone who likes to get out, do some small husbandry and rest work on trees/hedge plants. Help out on veg and garden. An all rounder. Plus they can earn some nice cash.

Is this going to be difficult? How do you find people to help out? Is there any hope?

 

[Alicecow]

Maybe an advert in your local newspaper or parish magazine? Or on local radio? Shop/supermarket noticeboard?

 

[KMA]

If only you were closer.

 

[uztrac]

If only you were closer.

Ditto

 

[M-J-G]

Can't you get a self employed person to come in?

They may cost more, but it would be a tax deductible expense and they would most likely get more done than a young pup.

 

[CrevisbigX]

Don't knock all young lads my eldest puts 100% into everything he does polite with good manners and that's not coming from me it when others come to me and tell me. And the same with alot of his mates mainly rugby lads strong and well mannered with a good attitude just saying don't right off all young lads.

 

[Chasingmytail]

Can't you get a self employed person to come in?

They may cost more, but it would be a tax deductible expense and they would most likely get more done than a young pup.

too much money - and not sure they want to do much menial duties. Its not affordable to be paying £100pd and Im sure they wont be quick at doing it. Cant think of many farm workers weeding and messing about in the polytunnel. This is why a student or a retired guy may be better suited.

 

[sleepy]

too much money - and not sure they want to do much menial duties. Its not affordable to be paying £100pd and Im sure they wont be quick at doing it. Cant think of many farm workers weeding and messing about in the polytunnel. This is why a student or a retired guy may be better suited.

Minimum wage will cost you best part of 85/quid a day anyway what about just getting a self employed gardener in?

 

[Ukjay]

Don't knock all young lads my eldest puts 100% into everything he does polite with good manners and that's not coming from me it when others come to me and tell me. And the same with alot of his mates mainly rugby lads strong and well mannered with a good attitude just saying don't right off all young lads.

Absolutely 100% agree with this. Not all yougsters are lazy, but there are a lot around. I believe a lot comes from their upbringing - as to what is expected when out of the home environment. A lot of youngsters are at the mercy of today's nanny state which does not give them the tools to face the real world.

I get exactly the same feedback for our child, which is a great feeling.

 

[Ukjay]

too much money - and not sure they want to do much menial duties. Its not affordable to be paying £100pd and Im sure they wont be quick at doing it. Cant think of many farm workers weeding and messing about in the polytunnel. This is why a student or a retired guy may be better suited.

I see you mentioned you paid well, but how much are you looking to pay then, as that may be your problem finding what you wanted?

 

[Chasingmytail]

£5ph for a student cash isnt bad for a pretty easy day plus at the end of the day it is work experience having a varied day which is what farming is about. Most students are keen to work a full week at half term doing loads of tasks as long as they get paid.

I am considering getting a gardener in just to spend the day sorting out the mess around the house however hubby will go mad, Goes back to the thing of having all the equipment but no time. Meanwhile the place looks a mess.

I dont mention money and they dont ask, most students are happy to get the experience.

 

[sleepy]

£5ph for a student cash isnt bad for a pretty easy day plus at the end of the day it is work experience having a varied day which is what farming is about. Most students are keen to work a full week at half term doing loads of tasks as long as they get paid.

I am considering getting a gardener in just to spend the day sorting out the mess around the house however hubby will go mad, Goes back to the thing of having all the equipment but no time. Meanwhile the place looks a mess.

I dont mention money and they dont ask, most students are happy to get the experience.

I think you just found the reason they don't come back!

 

[Chasingmytail]

I was wondering if anyone uses older labour for easy odd jobs. I agree not all youngsters are lazy and dont want to start that discussion but the agricultural lads that arent from farming families are the only ones available for work. Our 11 yr old will graft but its unfair for him to be dumped with more work as he does help out loads.

These students have got to realise they cant come and go when it suits either when I advertise for the job I do say I need them every week. The first guy was great he only had a day off very occasionally. This lad Ive dumped now let me down 3 times over 4 weeks but there was a week day work too. He was keen to come in he'd go home with a headache, not not turn up on the other. Id say he just wasnt a grafter had no worth ethic. Shame.

 

[Chasingmytail]

I think you just found the reason they don't come back!

huh?

 

[Ukjay]

£5ph for a student cash isnt bad for a pretty easy day plus at the end of the day it is work experience having a varied day which is what farming is about. Most students are keen to work a full week at half term doing loads of tasks as long as they get paid.

I am considering getting a gardener in just to spend the day sorting out the mess around the house however hubby will go mad, Goes back to the thing of having all the equipment but no time. Meanwhile the place looks a mess.

I dont mention money and they dont ask, most students are happy to get the experience.

Please dont take this the wrong way, but you mentioned fencing etc earlier - so £5 / hr is not a paid well rate unfortunately. Pay should be reflective of their contribution compared to that of a full time member.
How old are your students as I am trying to see if you are at least paying minimum wage here - are they under 18?

Maybe you need to remember that students if 18 and over, can often get far more than that stacking shelves or driving forklifts, so to keep them motivated and enthused, maybe set yourself above the surrounding businesses in terms of pay.

Also - I refuse to let my child work cash in hand, as that teaches them to be deceitful, and does not educate them on how the paye system works.

 

[CrevisbigX]

Absolutely 100% agree with this. Not all yougsters are lazy, but there are a lot around. I believe a lot comes from their upbringing - as to what is expected when out of the home environment. A lot of youngsters are at the mercy of today's nanny state which does not give them the tools to face the real world.

I get exactly the same feedback for our child, which is a great feeling.

Agree but I feel we have done nothing special but I do believe in old fashioned manners treat people how you want to be treated. Yes it a good feeling when other people praise you on your children.

 

[Blue.]

Don't knock all young lads my eldest puts 100% into everything he does polite with good manners and that's not coming from me it when others come to me and tell me. And the same with alot of his mates mainly rugby lads strong and well mannered with a good attitude just saying don't right off all young lads.

The thing is if you have the drive to play rugby your a doo'er anyway,it's the PlayStation kids that are the problem.

 

[CrevisbigX]

The thing is if you have the drive to play rugby your a doo'er anyway,it's the PlayStation kids that are the problem.

PlayStation have been the biggest waste of money in this household be lucky if they spend 20 minutes a week on then. Think I spend more time online.

 

[Condi]

I was wondering if anyone uses older labour for easy odd jobs. I agree not all youngsters are lazy and dont want to start that discussion but the agricultural lads that arent from farming families are the only ones available for work. Our 11 yr old will graft but its unfair for him to be dumped with more work as he does help out loads.

These students have got to realise they cant come and go when it suits either when I advertise for the job I do say I need them every week. The first guy was great he only had a day off very occasionally. This lad Ive dumped now let me down 3 times over 4 weeks but there was a week day work too. He was keen to come in he'd go home with a headache, not not turn up on the other. Id say he just wasnt a grafter had no worth ethic. Shame.

So you want them to turn up, every week, to do 'menial jobs' which you expect them to do because they're young, but you also want them to be strong enough to do fencing, and then 'dont mention money and they dont ask', and when you do pay them you give them £5 an hour.

And you wonder why they dont want to do it?!

 

[Gulli]

If you need them to work for you as you can't do the jobs yourself then giving them a bit of cash and 'experience' isn't enough.

It comes across like you think they should be grateful that you are letting them work for next to nothing when really you should be grateful that they are working for you.