Shortage of good staff

[Ivorbiggun]

Another problem you have these days is people actually want a life, their wives want to see their husbands and kids want to see their dads. Who these days want to work 40 hours a week and do 1000 + hours overtime a year. For wages just a few pence more than the national minimum.

I got out of farming Christmas after working for the same farm for 20 years, now driving loading shovel in the local quarry 5 and half day week, able to plan things with the family etc, far less stress.

The farm where I used to work were out drilling till midnight Saturday night and finished about 9 last night.
Then you wonder why farms can’t get staff.

 

[serf]

until either farmers stop shafting each other, the government sees we’re important or the general public realise food is important.

We're not french you know ...

 

[thesilentone]

Costing, employing and mentoring Labour, and making plans for new employee's is not something the Ag sector is great at.

We are currently in a Labour inflation period, so many of the large employers are upping wages, holidays and making an all-round improvement to employee conditions, firstly to attract staff, secondly to keep them.

We are in the dark ages when it comes to competing for good labour.

 

[ollie989898]

Another problem you have these days is people actually want a life, their wives want to see their husbands and kids want to see their dads. Who these days want to work 40 hours a week and do 1000 + hours overtime a year. For wages just a few pence more than the national minimum.

I got out of farming Christmas after working for the same farm for 20 years, now driving loading shovel in the local quarry 5 and half day week, able to plan things with the family etc, far less stress.

The farm where I used to work were out drilling till midnight Saturday night and finished about 9 last night.
Then you wonder why farms can’t get staff.

And there is a lot more responsibility drilling a crop than driving a loading shovel!

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Another problem you have these days is people actually want a life, their wives want to see their husbands and kids want to see their dads. Who these days want to work 40 hours a week and do 1000 + hours overtime a year. For wages just a few pence more than the national minimum.

I got out of farming Christmas after working for the same farm for 20 years, now driving loading shovel in the local quarry 5 and half day week, able to plan things with the family etc, far less stress.

The farm where I used to work were out drilling till midnight Saturday night and finished about 9 last night.
Then you wonder why farms can’t get staff.

Perhaps, but can you work on the quarry after rain? Not many other industries are so governed by the weather

 

[Ivorbiggun]

Perhaps, but can you work on the quarry after rain? Not many other industries are so governed by the weather

Yes you can, but when you’re having to work those hours to beat the weather is when your home life suffers.
That plus the really low wage on farms is why I got out, I’m sure there were lots more before me and there’ll be lots more after me to leave farming. Each to their own but personally I’d just had enough.

 

[stewart]

Furlough has made an already bone idle nation even worse if that were possible .

All crying about their gas bills but can't be arsed to get off it , fuk em , let them rot

Great attitude! And you wonder why you cannot get staff.

 

[czechmate]

Bigger, faster, newer more reliable machinery is where it’s at

 

[Formatted]

And there is a lot more responsibility drilling a crop than driving a loading shovel!

Then the farm should pay more to get the staff, but they don't so the sensible, responsible chap gets a job somewhere he can get paid more

 

[kiwi pom]

Yes you can, but when you’re having to work those hours to beat the weather is when your home life suffers.
That plus the really low wage on farms is why I got out, I’m sure there were lots more before me and there’ll be lots more after me to leave farming. Each to their own but personally I’d just had enough.

When I left farming/contracting I got a job with a slightly higher annual wage and almost 1000 hours a year less work. Rotating shift work but you got your roster and that was it, you knew months in advance whether you'd be working or not. Plus full uniform, pension fund and basic private health care.

There does seem less of a gap in the hourly rates now as farmers and contractors have had to compete harder for staff but its still hard to beat knowing when you're working and when you're off.

 

[Will 1594]

and can some one define
old tractor
is 53 plate 6620 too old cab front suspension mint low hours .
had a lad come wanting a bit part time to fit round his 4 on 4 off
but said don’t want to drive old scrap like that .

 

[CopperBeech]

Some very interesting perspectives on here ...... from some folk who own very valuable assets and have a nice lifestyle

 

[Bill the Bass]

Costing, employing and mentoring Labour, and making plans for new employee's is not something the Ag sector is great at.

We are currently in a Labour inflation period, so many of the large employers are upping wages, holidays and making an all-round improvement to employee conditions, firstly to attract staff, secondly to keep them.

We are in the dark ages when it comes to competing for good labour.

This. Seems to be an underlying attitude on here that the general public are work shy scroungers. Alot if people just have good jobs with decent employers who offer good pay and working conditions. As an industry we tend to expect the shirt of someone’s back in return for three buttons and a push bike to ride home on.

But is that our fault given the margins we have to operate on?

 

[thesilentone]

This. Seems to be an underlying attitude on here that the general public are work shy scroungers. Alot if people just have good jobs with decent employers who offer good pay and working conditions. As an industry we tend to expect the shirt of someone’s back in return for three buttons and a push bike to ride home on.

But is that our fault given the margins we have to operate on?

I agree, but that's life I'm afraid.

You are assuming everyone is working on the same margins, but they are not. Some are doing a good job, very efficiently and are making good margins, some are not.

However, that is no different to any other business.

 

[czechmate]

Some very interesting perspectives on here ...... from some folk who own very valuable assets and have a nice lifestyle

mine was bought from years of watching MIG wire burn, thank you very much.
The opportunity is still there for those that want it

 

[CopperBeech]

On another note - some of the absolute scum which are looking for work in farming is mad. I know plenty of folk who have offered good wages, hours, houses, support, friendship etc ..... only to have been lied to, stolen from, f*cked over and then the person has gone on elsewhere! It’s mental !

 

[CopperBeech]

mine was bought from years of watching MIG wire burn, thank you very much.
The opportunity is still there for those that want it

You’ve missed my point.

People talking about dole scum and lazy folk getting 1700 quid for a family etc.

Some of those folk saying that stuff .... still effectively live with their mum and dad at home, don’t pay rent, don’t pay bills and have a nice lifestyle and are set to inherit something worth millions.

It is very easy to judge someone until you have walked a mile in someone’s shoes.

 

[czechmate]

You’ve missed my point.

People talking about dole scum and lazy folk getting 1700 quid for a family etc.

Some of those folk saying that stuff .... still effectively live with their mum and dad at home, don’t pay rent, don’t pay bills and have a nice lifestyle and are set to inherit something worth millions.

It is very easy to judge someone until you have walked a mile in someone’s shoes.

not so many of those though.
Actually, England or France, I can’t think I have ever known of one

 

[CopperBeech]

not so many of those though.
Actually, England or France, I can’t think I have ever known of one

? Now I’m missing your point

 

[ollie989898]

Someone explain to me how it is possible to get 1700 a month in benefits? I thought jobseekers or whatever it is called is like £80 a week maybe?