Fendt
Member
I have absolutely no problem with a quick call to a mate, along the lines of.... yes I know I’m meant to be out tonight at 8, I’m still at work, be there as soon as I can. When it is blatant gossip on the phone for hours each day to the point of not being able to phone him myself to say I need you to do x y z then it is a problem. To solve this he will be banned from bringing his own phone to work and will be provided with a crummy old Nokia 3310. Call history will Then be itemised and scrutinised. Having the radio on so loud you can’t hear the phone ring means he can’t be concentrating fully on what he’s doing, hence negligence, carelessness, whatever you want to call it.
when he lets a mate drive the tractor unauthorised then I consider that a major breach of health and safety and grounds for instant dismissal. He has signed a list of authorised machinery operatives for that exact reason. If I Do or don’t dismiss him that is my decision based on numerous other business reasons.
Any major damage caused to machinery by negligence is also grounds for instant dismissal and again needs considering in the broader picture.
if this behaviour continues after a formal disciplinary meeting then he won’t be employed for long. He also won’t get a good reference From me when he tries to go and work anywhere nearby.
As for posting this on social media... I’m asking for guidance from those who might have gone through this already. If that opens me to some sort of liability then that is my risk. I hope this is anonymous enough with no names mentioned so far...
So, my final thoughts.... when at work, behave as though you are at work, not on some sort of modern jolly. Just because you might be out there working alone for a long time doesn’t make it an extension of your private life. You are being paid to do a job to a satisfactory standard. If you can’t put your phone down for a few hours and behave appropriately then sign on the dole and prepare to live your life on the equivalent of a handout for the rest of your days. You won’t find many serious farming businesses who will stand for this sort of crap. It’s no wonder we have such a high fatality rate for such a small amount of the workforce if we’re prepared to let these sort of issues go unchallenged. I will not allow an employee to jeopardise the future of my business, no matter how desperate I might be for help.
when he lets a mate drive the tractor unauthorised then I consider that a major breach of health and safety and grounds for instant dismissal. He has signed a list of authorised machinery operatives for that exact reason. If I Do or don’t dismiss him that is my decision based on numerous other business reasons.
Any major damage caused to machinery by negligence is also grounds for instant dismissal and again needs considering in the broader picture.
if this behaviour continues after a formal disciplinary meeting then he won’t be employed for long. He also won’t get a good reference From me when he tries to go and work anywhere nearby.
As for posting this on social media... I’m asking for guidance from those who might have gone through this already. If that opens me to some sort of liability then that is my risk. I hope this is anonymous enough with no names mentioned so far...
So, my final thoughts.... when at work, behave as though you are at work, not on some sort of modern jolly. Just because you might be out there working alone for a long time doesn’t make it an extension of your private life. You are being paid to do a job to a satisfactory standard. If you can’t put your phone down for a few hours and behave appropriately then sign on the dole and prepare to live your life on the equivalent of a handout for the rest of your days. You won’t find many serious farming businesses who will stand for this sort of crap. It’s no wonder we have such a high fatality rate for such a small amount of the workforce if we’re prepared to let these sort of issues go unchallenged. I will not allow an employee to jeopardise the future of my business, no matter how desperate I might be for help.
Last edited: