topic Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question in Community Chat

Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

RinaRina — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 18:36:26 GMT

Hi ladies,

As many of you know who've seen my posts, I'm always concerned about not hurting people's feelings.

I have 2 young brothers who come to my house periodically to help me do things that I'm physically unable to do.

The problem is, one is helpful and the other is not.

The woman who initially sent the boys to my house last year told me a few months ago, she was no longer referring them because (as per her other clients) "they don't work". Apparently, customers complained about their excessive cellphone use.

Anyway, instead of going thru the referring agency, for the last 8 months, I've been callling the boys on their cellphones to give them jobs.

However, I recently realized, ONE of them really --- does as little work as possible, and I probably should not use him anymore. Why pay him if his brother is going to do all the work?

How do I resolve this without being rude?

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

Wsmom — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 18:36:48 GMT

If you're paying cash, maybe just hand the worker the whole amount rather than so much to each one. Then say something like here, you guys can split it as you want or something. Maybe the working brother knows he is carrying the other one and is good with it.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

suzyQ3 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 18:47:06 GMT

Tell them nicely that you don't need their help anymore. Period.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

CelticCrafter — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 19:01:47 GMT

There's nothing to resolve, don't use them anymore and go back to the agency that had originally referred them to you.

Tell them you would prefer they not send the same people as last year.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

Kachina624 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 19:07:25 GMT

You could call just the one who works and tell him you just need one person.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

geezerette — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 19:11:06 GMT

If I were happy with the work they had been doing, I would do as @Wsmom suggests and give the money to the one brother. I only care that I get my jobs done properly and in a timely manner for a reasonable sum.

I wouldn't mention your observation to either boy. I'm quite sure both brothers know who is doing all the work.

On the other hand, if this bothers you and you think you can get your work done by someone else for less, stop using the brothers.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

hckynut — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 19:38:35 GMT

@RinaRina

Rude? Hiring someone to work that doesn't work to me is called charity. Just call the one that works, simple! Maybe give him a little raise.

"Telling it like it is" to me is not rude. If the recipient doesn't like it? Not my problem. If you've read my posts? I have no control over others emotions, only mine.

hckynut

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

Nightowlz — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 19:48:45 GMT

When we remodel our kitchen if they are in here doing something I don't like I won't have a problem throwing them out. LOL!!!

Hey I threw the cable guy out over 20 years ago.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

RinaRina — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:15:10 GMT

@Wsmom wrote:
If you're paying cash, maybe just hand the worker the whole amount rather than so much to each one. Then say something like here, you guys can split it as you want or something. Maybe the working brother knows he is carrying the other one and is good with it.

==============================

Haha!! Funny you should say that because the one that does ALL the work always tells me to give the cellphone brother the money. And of course, he's on his phone! So, I always count the money aloud, so the worker bro' can hear.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

Porcelain — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:23:42 GMT

If the work gets done and you're happy with the amount you're paying for it, I'd just let them divide the work however they want to and leave them to do it their way. If you're unhappy for other reasons, I'd tell them you don't need their help anymore. I don't think you're going to be able to just get the one brother to do it alone.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

Wsmom — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:29:44 GMT

@RinaRina wrote:
@Wsmom wrote:
If you're paying cash, maybe just hand the worker the whole amount rather than so much to each one. Then say something like here, you guys can split it as you want or something. Maybe the working brother knows he is carrying the other one and is good with it.
==============================

Haha!! Funny you should say that because the one that does ALL the work always tells me to give the cellphone brother the money. And of course, he's on his phone! So, I always count the money aloud, so the worker bro' can hear.

@RinaRina , then it sounds like he is well aware. As long as you are happy with the work being done for the amount you are paying I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe they take turns on jobs...

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

reiki604 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:32:09 GMT

@Porcelain wrote:
If the work gets done and you're happy with the amount you're paying for it, I'd just let them divide the work however they want to and leave them to do it their way. If you're unhappy for other reasons, I'd tell them you don't need their help anymore. I don't think you're going to be able to just get the one brother to do it alone.

I agree! If the work is getting done within the timeframe and budget that is satisfactory to you, it's up to the workers to work out any issues between them. If you are comfortable with the quality, price and timeliness then there is no problem. Who is to say that if someone else is sent, you might have more serious issues crop up?

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

qbetzforreal — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:54:11 GMT

Why are you still using them, when the agency told you they were no longer referring them to customers because of the work ethic?

Stop offering them work.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

Kachina624 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:04:06 GMT

@RinaRina It is customary for an employer to make his expectations known when he hires someone. I would mention since they're being paid hourly, you expect no cell phone use. These guys were taking advantage of you.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

Peaches McPhee — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:21:51 GMT

Are you paying them both an hourly rate, or are you paying for the job? There's your answer. If you are paying by the job, it is up to them to figure out the split.

Oh, and etiquette and rudeness doesn't affect a business transaction, which this is.

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 19:45:14 GMT

If you've been calling them on their cellphones to give them jobs, why can't you just stop calling them?

Re: Proper Etiquette with Workers/Helpers - Question

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 02:35:41 GMT

@RinaRina wrote:
Hi ladies,
As many of you know who've seen my posts, I'm always concerned about not hurting people's feelings.
I have 2 young brothers who come to my house periodically to help me do things that I'm physically unable to do.
The problem is, one is helpful and the other is not.
The woman who initially sent the boys to my house last year told me a few months ago, she was no longer referring them because (as per her other clients) "they don't work". Apparently, customers complained about their excessive cellphone use.
Anyway, instead of going thru the referring agency, for the last 8 months, I've been callling the boys on their cellphones to give them jobs.
However, I recently realized, ONE of them really --- does as little work as possible, and I probably should not use him anymore. Why pay him if his brother is going to do all the work?

How do I resolve this without being rude?

It sounds like you need to give them something much more valuable then money. It'll probably help to use the sandwich method. Something like this:

Boys, I really appreciate all the help you've been to me over the last several months. You've done things I'm not able to do myself and have eased my mind because I knew I could count on you.

However, I've noticed some things that are concerning to me because if you don't straighten this out, it could very well have a negative effect for your future. To illustrate, do you think Michael Jordan got to be so good at basketball by spending most of his time on the phone? Do you think he would have been paid millions and kept his job if he let the rest of the team make most of the effort? Are you aware that not all the players are paid the same amount? Do you know why that is? You really need to think about this and decide if you're going to be a star player or not.

Again, I'm grateful to you for all you've done to help me. Now here's what you've *earned* for today.

*I know someone who had his sons work for the family business during the summer breaks and when he saw them not working at a reasonable pace, he commented 'right now you're just earning $4 an hour' and they knew to step it up if they wanted the agreed upon amount of $6/hr.