topic Re: Would You FIRE this guy? in Community Chat

Would You FIRE this guy?

RinaRina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:05:39 GMT

About 2 months ago, I arranged for a man to do some landscaping for me. He did a great job, so I kept him on to mow my yard every 2 weeks.

I told him in advance, my neighbors were untrustworthy and he should NOT engage with them. Apparently, unbenowst to me, he fancies himself as some kind "lothario" and has a problem NOT engaging with "the ladies". My neighbors rent part of their house as AirBNB. College girls were staying there the first month he did yard work for me. He couldn't keep his mouth shut. WHOEVER came out of that AirBNB unit, he'd speak to.

Memorial day, my neighbor was preparing for a cook-out and he stood there glaring at her. I warned him again "NOT to engage".

I've asked him numerous times to STAY OFF neighbor's property and not engage.

This evening when I got home, I noticed he'd left a large Home Depot bag of grass debris in my neighbor's yard.

I went outside and moved the bag to my trash can, then called him to REMIND him again to stay off their property. He was trespassing!

He told me he had to go and he'd call me "right back". He has NOT called me back.

For a 53-year old, he's very immature and mischievous. (eyeroll)

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

Venezia — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:10:16 GMT

I think you've answered your own question.

(And don't you have some kind of boundary wall between your and your neighbor's property? Did he walk across to leave the bag of debris there?)

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

AuntG — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:10:43 GMT

Fire him if you want, but I wouldn't. So what if he talks to the neighbors. That's between them and him. Maybe they don't mind his chatty nature.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

qbetzforreal — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:12:57 GMT

He's my gardener and a grown man. I never would told him anything about my neighbors. Why do that?

I wouldn't fire him. Whatever's going is between him and your neighbor is between him and your neighbor.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

songbird — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:14:49 GMT

We got the services of a landscaper. He did a great job. Almost immediately he got the services of both our neighbors (one end and the other) He's raking in quite a little business.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

Anonymous032819 — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:31:19 GMT

The only person who has a problem with the neighbors, is you @RinaRina . As evident from your numerous posts/threads complaining about them.

Those people that he is taking to might be his future clients.

It's fine if you don't like your neighbors, and don't want to talk to them, but you can't force others to feel the same as you.

You are not his mother, and have no right to tell a grown adult who they can and cannot talk to.

You may not have to worry about firing him.

He just might fire you as a client, and tell others just how difficult you can be, and to advise them to not take you on as a client.

If you don't think that doesn't, or can't happen, then you are wrong, because it can, and it does.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

CelticCrafter — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:17:55 GMT

Good luck trying to find a replacement.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

decaf — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:18:06 GMT

I'm not sure you can tell someone what they can do or who they can speak with after they're finished mowing your grass. Maybe he's got a lot in common with the "untrustworthy" neighbors.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

kaydee50 — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:20:14 GMT

As long as he's doing a good job on my property, no, I would not fire him. Who he wants to talk to is his business.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

KKJ — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:20:41 GMT

I agree with the others who say you can't tell him who he can and can't speak to / associate with.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:23:01 GMT

Sounds to me like you're trying to control something you have no business trying to control. This is a free country and people can talk to whomever they choose.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

Anonymous032819 — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:24:48 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
Good luck trying to find a replacement.

@CelticCrafter

I know, right?

She has a history of not getting along with her neighbors, and having problems with whoever she hires.

I think the guy fired her.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

Pecky — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:33:03 GMT

No, I wouldn't.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

reiki604 — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:44:08 GMT

I'm thinking the debris you put in your can may not be yours. He might have picked up a new client. I don't believe he'll be doing your lawn again and you'll have something else to hold against your neighbor. BTW.....how and why do you know how old he is??

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

Porcelain — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:50:30 GMT

You seem to be watching this guy like a hawk. If the neighbors haven't complained, I don't think there's much to fire him for.

I don't see how you would know something that is "unbeknownst" to you. And I doubt a 53 year old man would ever tell anyone he fancies himself a lothario. Seems to me that is your personal speculation.

And how do you know exactly how old your landscaper is, anyway?

But it's your house. You have every right to choose who works there. No matter who you choose, they are likely to have some defect that annoys you. The next guy might be too quiet and uncommunicative. That's just how it goes and that's just how people are.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

ValuSkr — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:53:05 GMT

If it bothers you that he's chatting up the neighbors, then, yes, do relieve him when the season is over. Would I do so? Maybe. It depends on what I think of the neighbors.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 23:53:45 GMT

It is not up to you to tell him who he can and can't talk to.

Either he is or is not doing what you want in the yard. However, you should stop telling him to talk to. Maybe he likes people.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

hippiechick7897 — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:04:44 GMT

I wouldn’t. Sounds like he’s doing the job you hired him for and you’re satisfied with it.

Drumming up new business doesn’t include pretending neighbors don’t exist.

Unless my neighbors complain that he’s bothering them or making them uncomfortable I wouldn’t concern myself with it.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

Hoovermom — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:17:08 GMT

Why would you even insert yourself into this incident? I don't want to be blunt, but maybe you should mind your own business and try to keep him around to help you out.

Re: Would You FIRE this guy?

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:19:39 GMT

@RinaRina

I guess I must be the only one here thinking about the money. The question to ask first is how are you paying him ... by the job, or by the hour?

If he takes three hours to do a one hour job because he's socializing, he shouldn't be paid for 3 hours. OTOH, if you are paying him for the job, does it matter if he takes one hour or three to cut your grass?

I guess I missed the part about why you think it's up to you to control him, but would love it if you would re-cap that point. What's really going on here?