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NEMO | Thanks everyone on Stock Talk and Crop Talk for your input. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one with these issues.
First of all I'm very thankful for the 2 full time hired hands my dad and I have. We couldn't get done what we do without them. (cutting back - as someone mentioned- has crossed my mind but really not feasible) I wasn't trying to be nit-picky or micro-manage them and we have probably given them too long a leash, or at least need to pull back on the reign now and again (they are in there young 20's).
As for the time clock, we have decided to have them text my wife when they are on/off work. Since they seem to like to text all the time anyway I thought this was appropriate! (Isn't that a double standard, telling them not to text on my time, yet use it to clock in/out? :-) ) It puts a little more work on her, but solves not having to run back to a central point, and she can log it whenever it is convenient for her. Also it allows for random spot checks/keep them honest. I don't mind 5 or 10 minutes, but when 20 or 30 minutes are always in their favor, it starts to add up. If the texting on/off doesn't seem to be working, then we will revisit the problem. Thanks to Tim, I believe, who had the link to the remote time clock website which generated the texting on/off idea.
Now for the cell phones, I don't know what to do but keep harping on them from time to time. I agree if they get the work done no big deal. But if they run the sprayer boom into a fence, have a close call in the semi, etc. it is a serious deal. We were working cattle the other day and their phones were literally going off every 2 or 3 minutes. Some of the crap (a lot of it could be called porn) doesn't need to be on my time!
As for me using the phone in front of them, I feel this is completely different. I'm running the business that writes their paycheck. Selling grain, calling the vet, talking to a landlord, etc... I used to go in the house, now I can carry on business in my truck, shed or barn.
I'm considering some kind of bonus with screw-ups and excessive phone usage coming out of the bonus. I got burned on salary a few years back, so not really interested in going down that road again. Scheduled regular meetings and writing things down needs to be implemented.
Sorry this got so long, but wanted to Thank Everyone for your replies and ideas. Have a Happy and Safe 2011!!!!
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New Year - Hired Hands - Thanks Guys!
