Going rate for 64k poultry manager

[pellow]

i would have thought you are going to have a discussion with yourself or the people who own the other shares of the business to work out whether you want a share of the business or a proper wage, It might be difficult to have both, it sounds like the business is either reinvesting, paying off debt or not very profitable if its one of the first 2 options you are probably lucky to have 20%, if its unprofitable for the sake of your future family you are probably under pricing your labour

 

[teslacoils]

Sheds are paid off, I have 20% of the shares but by no means 20% of the profit, profit stays within the company.

That's really an accounting issue though really isn't it?

Shed for 64k birds, what was that worth? Did you chip in to buy it, or have those shares / that value been bought by you in lieu of income?

This is a muddy area when it comes to being involved in the family business. When I bought in it took several years of tiny wages to essentially pay for my share of the equity. The moment you become an employee, you may find you are much more easily replaceable by the other 80 percent of the shareholders.

 

[Daniel]

Sheds are paid off, I have 20% of the shares but by no means 20% of the profit, profit stays within the company.

If the sheds are paid off then they should still be profitable I should think.

 

[Badshot]

Sheds are paid off, I have 20% of the shares but by no means 20% of the profit, profit stays within the company.

If you are a 20 % shareholder surely you are earning 20 % of the profits? You're just not drawing it all out to spend privately.

 

[lloyd]

You need a reality check!
You don't pay rent or living costs that's atleast £50 a week
You've got 20% of a business that has paid off the sheds
so your already a partner .
You've been on 18k since a very young age by the sounds of it .
What's the other 80 percent of shareholders been getting out
Of it?
If you don't like it you could sell your 20% and advertise your
services in the market place but you will pay all your expenses
including fuel.

 

[Chickenfarmer]

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated. I have a good idea of peoples honest opinions now.
Kind Regards, ChickenFarmer

 

[Hampton]

I don't think it is a can of worms.
Staff (including family) should be paid a salary for a job in accordance with their role.
Heard recently of someone I know declaring that their family were "sponging off the farm" my response to him was "well what the bloody hell else is the farm for if it isn't to pay the family a comfortable way of life!"
Too many people seem to think "the farm" is the altar upon which they martyr themselves.

With regards to the OP, when you put the chicken sheds up, was a sensible salary not built into the costings, or was your wage the profit?
Secondly, I would say that £28k is a reasonable wage if you are 25-30, if you are 40 then it should be much higher. If you are not paid your age, is it worth it?

 

[teslacoils]

If you are not paid your age, is it worth it?

Graduate teachers are on £30k. Personally I apply the Southern Trains Test as their workers sit on their arses all day; push a small lever back and forth; have huge union power; are often on strike; work 35 hours a week and earn well into the sixties a year for no risk.

 

[Chickenfarmer]

I don't think it is a can of worms.
Staff (including family) should be paid a salary for a job in accordance with their role.
Heard recently of someone I know declaring that their family were "sponging off the farm" my response to him was "well what the bloody hell else is the farm for if it isn't to pay the family a comfortable way of life!"
Too many people seem to think "the farm" is the altar upon which they martyr themselves.

With regards to the OP, when you put the chicken sheds up, was a sensible salary not built into the costings, or was your wage the profit?
Secondly, I would say that £28k is a reasonable wage if you are 25-30, if you are 40 then it should be much higher. If you are not paid your age, is it worth it?

Thanks for your response, your view is very similar to mine. When the sheds were put up we had a very good profitable few years which allowed us to pay the sheds off, buy more land, upgrade a substantial amount of farm kit etc, with very little in terms of wages taken out of the business.
Now the egg job is on its arse the business is still profitable in the sense that we can live off it, but not rapidly expanding like we were. Personally I want the extra income to diversify into another buy to let, and increase my silver and crypto holdings. I personally think it’s important to have other assets outside of the farm.

Some of the users above seemed to think I was being unreasonable for wanting a fair wage. I think what I’m asking for is reasonable.
I will be having a chat with the family this week about it and will be wanting £28k as I think it’s a fair salary.

 

[Hampton]

Graduate teachers are on £30k. Personally I apply the Southern Trains Test as their workers sit on their arses all day; push a small lever back and forth; have huge union power; are often on strike; work 35 hours a week and earn well into the sixties a year for no risk.

Don’t get me started on graduate pay! No wonder many firms are knackered!

 

[Hampton]

Thanks for your response, your view is very similar to mine. When the sheds were put up we had a very good profitable few years which allowed us to pay the sheds off, buy more land, upgrade a substantial amount of farm kit etc, with very little in terms of wages taken out of the business.
Now the egg job is on its arse the business is still profitable in the sense that we can live off it, but not rapidly expanding like we were. Personally I want the extra income to diversify into another buy to let, and increase my silver and crypto holdings. I personally think it’s important to have other assets outside of the farm.

Some of the users above seemed to think I was being unreasonable for wanting a fair wage. I think what I’m asking for is reasonable.
I will be having a chat with the family this week about it and will be wanting £28k as I think it’s a fair salary.

I don’t know what you are paid, but you need to look at it from both sides. Perhaps you should be also explaining to them that they should be able to have more out of the job too

 

[john1968]

I suppose it depends on how hard you want to pluck your golden goose you may only be getting a feather or two now but from what you say one day the goose will be yours or else you go in hard now and the goose may go pop the choice is yours.

 

[Chickenfarmer]

I suppose it depends on how hard you want to pluck your golden goose you may only be getting a feather or two now but from what you say one day the goose will be yours or else you go in hard now and the goose may go pop the choice is yours.

Good point however, what would happen if the egg business went unsustainable and the job was losing money? Then i have now business or savings

 

[john1968]

that is part of the joy and gamble of farming no matter what kind of farm that may be

 

[teslacoils]

It's not unreasonable to ask for a fair wage, so long as you're not trying to change the terms of the original agreement. But in any situation where you ask for the market rate, you then have to prove you're worth it.

 

[john1968]

as someone already pointed out working for family isn't easy but looking at the big picture one day it will be your picture . its not easy proving your worth out in the market place either when it comes to asking for a pay rise its the price of feed and fuel have gone up but the money that comes back is getting less . I think you need to have a friendly family meeting lay out what you have done and that you think you need more money or a bigger stake in the farm. if nothing happens you have a choice of looking else where or sticking it out for the end game. but I and assure you it isn't a bowl of cherries out in the market place where no family ties are around

 

[maen]

Having followed this thread I find this situation quite common amongst farming
businesses.
As has already been said before, some family businesses will not remunerated family members, preferring to invest in shiny things or expansion. Sadly, neither pay the bills of younger family members. Look good from the outside though.
Sadly, in most cases it is a question of priorities and profitability. in my experience it is rare that there are sufficient funds from income for good salaries, expansion and outside investment. (With the exception of development land sale) So I believe it’s a matter of Choices!
It may be what the business wishes to afford not what you are worth.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

as someone already pointed out working for family isn't easy but looking at the big picture one day it will be your picture . its not easy proving your worth out in the market place either when it comes to asking for a pay rise its the price of feed and fuel have gone up but the money that comes back is getting less . I think you need to have a friendly family meeting lay out what you have done and that you think you need more money or a bigger stake in the farm. if nothing happens you have a choice of looking else where or sticking it out for the end game. but I and assure you it isn't a bowl of cherries out in the market place where no family ties are around

one day it will all be yours?

yea when you 65... your kids have left home and possibly wife and now your rich but have no one to share it with...

fair work fair wage, if there no assets in the ltd company then surely there virtually no value, (and therfore you 20% is worth jack sh!t) where are all the assets listed?

i would find a job else where to be honest, go back tell them what you offered and let them buy out your 20% that should shake things up to reality, and if theres not the money to pay a fair wage then again you should go else where to a unit that does make enough money to pay.

When i left university i went and got a job at a utility for years, (always helped on farm like you do for free for years) then i started helping more and more as my father got older, i said i could not work 2 jobs, either i got a wage to support my family from the farm and left my main job or i had to just peruse my career . At this point my dad agreed to semi retire and give the majority of control of the farm to me. Had i worked on the farm from school i would have been shafted like so many are.

Best thing i ever did working else where and running another business, you then look at the farm like a business that has to earn its keep and be efficient to survive.

 

[lloyd]

one day it will all be yours?

yea when you 65... your kids have left home and possibly wife and now your rich but have no one to share it with...

fair work fair wage, if there no assets in the ltd company then surely there virtually no value, (and therfore you 20% is worth jack sh!t) where are all the assets listed?

i would find a job else where to be honest, go back tell them what you offered and let them buy out your 20% that should shake things up to reality, and if theres not the money to pay a fair wage then again you should go else where to a unit that does make enough money to pay.

When i left university i went and got a job at a utility for years, (always helped on farm like you do for free for years) then i started helping more and more as my father got older, i said i could not work 2 jobs, either i got a wage to support my family from the farm and left my main job or i had to just peruse my career . At this point my dad agreed to semi retire and give the majority of control of the farm to me. Had i worked on the farm from school i would have been shafted like so many are.

Best thing i ever did working else where and running another business, you then look at the farm like a business that has to earn its keep and be efficient to survive.

Your dad sounded quite reasonable ,he could have said carry on son ,sold
up and had a fantastic time.

 

[7610 super q]

Is farming an industry that can actually pay a realistic wage ? 21st Century costs, 16th Century produce prices, and all that ? ( whatever happened to the decent whistling emoji ? )

As an aside, I reckon the free range egg job could go down in history as the 21st Century's biggest con.

Tin hat on.