OT: (?) Finding and keeping good employees

[Dan Craig]

Those of you who have employees - where do you go to find good ones?

We've got a small family manufacturing business which employees 3 others beside the 3 of us in the family. We recently lost a very good employee to illness and have in the past had a hard time finding good ones, and are currently having a hard time.

We really need someone, probably a little older, in a stable point in their life, who has some machine shop experience, who wants out of a stressful position and wants to 'join the family' (so to speak). I'm pretty sure these people aren't on Monster or other online sites.

I know they are out there - I just don't know where to find them.

Any ideas or experience is appreciated.

[John Stevenson]

Me -- me........

Send air fare.

.

[ERBenoit]

While I have no experience as an employer, a couple of friends of mine do own small businesses, in the building trades. In discussions, they have the same problems, finding and keeping GOOD help. You mean "I have to be on time", "You want me to get my hands dirty".

The good help that they do have treasures their jobs as much as he treasures their dedication to his business.

To them, it seems that the youger generation does not want to actually "work" to get paid.

[speedsport]

Post ads everywhere. Wanted, experienced machinist, great benefits and the best pay scale anywhere in the world. Paid holidays, paid vacations, annual sick leave, company truck, profit sharing, pension plan. You will have your pick in a long, long line.

[John Stevenson]

What sort of truck ?

.

[Timleech]

What sort of truck ?

.

Banned in the UK many years ago by the Truck Acts


Tim

[speedsport]

Ford F350 superduty crewcab longbed dually with powerstroke diesel, full leather interior, premium sound system. Fuel credit card included.

[John Stevenson]

Just your basic pickup then ?
.

[topct]

"Ford F350 superduty crewcab longbed dually with powerstroke diesel, full leather interior, premium sound system. Fuel credit card included."

Most often seen driven empty. By the owners trophy wife.

[Cecil Walker]

Dan, this is a sore subject with me also. I'm having the same problems finding diesel/farm equip mechanics that are able (or trainable) to do laptop diagnostics then get their hands dirty to do the repairs. We have tried state employment commission, newspapers, trade mags, HS guidance counselors, radio, etc., to no avail. We provide a good wage, commission, uniforms, paid holidays, sick time, vacations, 401K, overtime for anything over 8 hrs, and paid training. Each Dept Manager (parts, service, sales) is provided a company vehicle. But yes, sometimes the hours are long, hot (or cold) if its a field service call, and can be dirty work. Most of the work is done in a clean, well lit shop, heated in the winter but fans only in the summer. Employee must furnish hand tools only, we buy all diagnostic and special tools. Most of our people are 50+, lost 2 to retirement last year and will loose another Dec 31, and i'm having a REAL PROBLEM replacing them.

I can only speak for what i see locally, but it seems that the parents and schools all push for the college level education, the term "Trade School" is a dirty word, much worse than "unemployed". We seem to have created two levels of High School graduates, the college level and the unemployable. I hired 2 High School grads last year, neither was interested in learning, just wanted to watch someone else work, complain, or attempt to fake an injury. One (i will call John) actually reported an injury while unloading some equipment, when i interviewed the 3 men clocked in on the job, i found out that (John) was not even helping, he was in another location. Needless to say they are not with us anymore.

If you find an answer to your question please let me in on it, i would be forever grateful.

Rant mode off now.