When is it acceptable to notify someone you won’t be in.

[Mc115reed]

I can see it from both sides,
Problem 1 is a bad employee that just has no thought for others, and will pull a sicky when they cannot be arsed and not only let themselves down but also the rest of the team by creating extra work for them left at work, or calling in extra staff,
Problem 2 is inconsiderate employers, that don't include there staff in discussions about what and why we are doing things this way, and how we want to move the business forward, they are usually not approachable, and staff are not keen to communicate with the employer if they are genuinely sick till last minute,

One way to keep them focused on work is a no absence bonus, this could be built in as part of a pay rise, £400 in a pot on the 15th of January, equals sub £8 a week,
Every day they are off for no good reason, then they loss £40 from the pot,
so if off 3 days for no reason they loss £120, leaving £280 to be paid in their pay day after 15th of January, they get taxed on it, and it's offset as a wages cost on your books, yet make it clear if injury is caused at work, it will be not counted as loss of bonus, as the employer should know it's a genuine sick period,
I say 15th of January as there seems to be more sickies over the Xmas period that are drink related, the bonus keeps them focused,

The best way to do it is loose the “no good reason part...” regardless of weather you were ill or your nan died you still weren’t in work earning the bonus so your not entitled too it? .... place I used too work did for every month you worked without any time off (excluding holidays obviously) you got an extra day off work ... so 12 days extra a year if you were never off sick....

 

[Mc115reed]

4.30 this morning call to say new chap locked out of car. [emoji34]
Thankfully my herdsman is a saint and seemed very reasonable about me knocking on his door
I recon a well filled Christmas card is in order

Out of spite I’d of said don’t worry about it I’ll come and pick you up and you can take the truck home after milking [emoji87]

 

[A1an]

Millennials, don't care about letting people down.

 

[Shep]

I had a fella who didn't turn up, he came in the next day and said " I don't know about you? But when I woke up yesterday morning it was raining, so I went back to bed! Better get a move on we've twice as much to do today.

 

[Beef farmer]

Millennials, don't care about letting people down.

Dont tar them all with the same brush, I'm in a team of 5, oldest being 32. If someone is ill then they can sort it out themselves and cover each other. When we started the 2nd unit in was expecting the odd phone call and have to go and milk at the other farm, but touch wood hasn't happened yet, in our 3rd season. Got the best team we've had in 5 years here at the mo. They all came around this morning for a xmas day fry up and beer with the wifes/partners and kids. Went out Monday for tea and beer, go to the pub with them all most weeks for a chill out and catch up away from work.
I've worked for many employers around the world, and have never let anyone down ever, but always been treated with the upmost respect and I hope that my team would say the same about me. People dont really work for me, they work with me, and I feel that's where many might go wrong. Without them, I'm gonna be very busy and tired.

 

[TripleSix]

I'll regularly go and sit in the office or a tractor with the boss and talk about plans for the year and what we want to achieve and do.

Then I know what I need to be doing in the background and what I'm working towards and planning my priorities.

Such a lot is about communication and it's something a lot of people, never mind farmers are lacking.

I do a bit of work for a machinery dealer and the way some farmers speak to you on the phone and in person is just horrendous.

 

[Beef farmer]

I'll regularly go and sit in the office or a tractor with the boss and talk about plans for the year and what we want to achieve and do.

Then I know what I need to be doing in the background and what I'm working towards and planning my priorities.

Such a lot is about communication and it's something a lot of people, never mind farmers are lacking.

I do a bit of work for a machinery dealer and the way some farmers speak to you on the phone and in person is just horrendous.

When things are going wrong I can be pretty sharp on the phone. Many a times had to ring back a few hours later and apologise!
Getting it right and communication amongst us is probably the hardest thing I've had to learn.

 

[Horn&corn]

I'd of gone and picked him up

He’s half an hour away so I’d have been starting an hour behind before we got going. Tanker due 7am and wouldn’t want to wait. Left with little choice but to get another Milker.
my feeder man has just let me know He’s sick so won’t be covering Boxing Day. This is turning into one of those Christmas’.
at least down cow is up and feeding

 

[Sid]

I had a young lad who was working for me who just didn't show up. No phone call. I rang after milking he dad answered and said he wasnt feeling100% so decided he wouldn't show up. We were supposed to be going out for the day and had to cancel. Was let go.

He since has had a job on chemical sales where they had to put a tracker on the van because he was seen asleep in laybys.
He left there and I was short staffed last year so gave him a 2nd chance 18 years later. Leopards never change their spots!. He took offence to being given a verbal bollocking for leaving the parlour to "help me" when I neither needed or had asked for it and managed to fudge up me getting a heifer and calf in.
He walked. He now can be found asleep in laybys in another dairy chemical sales van!!

 

[thewalrus]

Millennials, don't care about letting people down.

Not just the young. Had bother with a man in his late 40/early 50s

 

[Kidds]

I'd of gone and picked him up

Or gone and smashed his window and said he could get in now.

 

[Tim G]

Bit disappointed to read this and realise our relief milker is moonlighting for you lot!
On the positive side, it seems she treats us all the same.
She's managed three milkings so far in the whole of this month, one of particular note was the text after lunch to say "I might not make this afternoon" and then nothing more. Her next milking is on Friday but I'm not holding much hope of her showing.
Still, new year, new relief milker hopefully.

And guess who hasn't come in this morning......

 

[Sid]

And guess who hasn't come this morning......

Father Christmas?
It is a bit much expecting him so soon again ?

 

[Beef farmer]

And guess who hasn't come in this morning......

With only 3 milkings to her name in December, just f**k her off

 

[Tim G]

Father Christmas?
It is a bit much expecting him so soon again ?

Probably more chance of seeming him.

With only 3 milkings to her name in December, just fudge her off

Don't worry, that's happening today! Our suspicions were confirmed that last week's 'too ill to milk' actually meant' I'm going shooting today'. I wouldn't of had a problem if she'd have said a few days before hand that she wanted to go shooting, it's the last minute lying I can't put up with. I was all up for texting her at the last minute to say not to come in today but Mrs G told me not to because she felt I needed a break.

 

[Dealer]

Been reading this thread with no conection to any of the people involved.

It's been 30 odd years since I milked cows but looking back we did not have many issues but the neighbour did.

At Christmas time we all milked in the mornings boss, me and colleague. So no one was left in bed or the others feeling resentful.

We just swapped the afternoons. So we had family time.

Having been employed and an employer (Upton 80 staff) I have pretty much seen it all.

1st thing I learned when employing people is that they dont go to work for your benefit they go for theirs.

If they are part time of reliefs what do they get other than money as they won't be involved in the detail like full time people.
So it's harder to keep them motivated, also they probably have other income sources.

Farming can be a solitary job so people skills won't be top of the skill set for some.

How many have ever had any training/ coaching on how to get the best out of staff
You don't need the motivational skills of a psychologist to get them to perform how you want but it can be the smallest thing that stops them being motivated

As for rewards for attendance tailor it to each member

Some will be money driven
Some will be holiday driven
Some it might be activity driven (sport, shooting,training or equipment) ext.

Find out what makes them tick keep nothing secret as they all talk to each other.

Remember the married ones will be under pressure to be with wife & kids and also from you at work.

It's no picnic employing people as the very good ones end up doing it for themselves.

Farming can be monotonous it's worse at this time of year when they are with family and friends who are on holiday until.the new year.

 

[In the pit]

RESPECT is the key word for employers and employees

 

[Dealer]

RESPECT is the key word for employers and employees

No MUTUAL is the key word in regards to respect.