Did I Go Too Far W/ This Perk For Great Worker

POOLMANinCT

well pool season is around the corner. so i called one of the best workers i have seen in years (ethic wise & great learner) at his dorm. just to touch base. he is working on campus and is coming back to me. He recently lost his dad.

i really like this kid smart polite punctual from a great family. his parents were customers & i actually hired him at that jobsite. he has been w/ me for 5 seasons. he rides w/ me throughout the season. my truck is immaculate & stocked, he writes down #s etc when im on the phone driving.

happy to hear from me & is coming back..
anyway long & short i sensed he is having a tough time w/ $. and his spring formal is coming. im arranging his limo hotel & tux for him.. our secret
he never asked for a loan or "sniffed" for money. insists he will pay back but im gonna let this one slide.

if word leaks,which i doubt to other grunts ( i feel bad calling guys that btw) would it sound crazy to call it his 5 yr recognition bonus or outstanding service recognition?

in this biz its tough to hold onto laborers even 2 seasons.

Chris G

I think that's a pretty nice gesture. He sounds like a real valuable asset.

However, if he wants to work it off somehow I wouldn't dismiss the thought. Despite being a gift, it is a business, and he may always feel like he "owes you one", or he may not like the extra pressure of not letting you down because you gave him such a great gift. And he may feel uneasy around some of the other guys.

You could tell he owes you one Saturday, or whatever, (it doesn't have to be equal value, just something) and you'll call it even. And if word leaks out, ya the 5 yr recognition is a very reasonable explanation. In fact you should just make it so.

POOLMANinCT

i like that if its a uneasy thing for him ill just say throw me a couple saturdays off the clock good call

ray

dougchips

Have him repay you when it really counts. Like when a pet falls into one of your pools and drowns, someone needs to dive in retrieve the pet and make up a story for the homeowner. Or if some neighborhood kid falls in, you found your new fall guy.

POOLMANinCT

make it a mafia style favor? lol

dougchips

Come on, we all know a good pool will last 35 or so years. A body here and there that you can blame on a college kid.

In reference to your original post, I bought x-mas gift for one of my subs kids two years ago when he got hurt before x-mas. Not a big deal but he has 4 kids. I have a list of people that I can call at 3 am to bail me out of jail for some of the favors that I've done. On the same note if my phone rang at 3am then I would need to respond.

dirt diggler

Ray ...

I think that's about the nicest thing I've heard today. He's been with you that long - im sure he looks up to you ... and he just lost his pop, that's awful.



Do I think You went to far with the perk

yep ...


but thats still nice of ya

rino1494

That is a nice gesture you did indeed. This kid is going to school, so I imagine that he won't be in the pool business too much longer. If you are doing this to repay him for the loyalty and good work that he has given you, then you did good. If you are doing this to try and keep him forever, then you did bad.

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firemike

CPS

I think it a great thing you are doing. Yes, it might be a little overboard, but if the young man is as good as you say, then go for it. Not knowing him personally I couldn't say one way or another, but to find a young person like that today is a rarity, so he is probably worth it.

One thing for sure, he will always remember what you did for him, probably more than if you just gave him a few hundred bucks. If he does feel guilty or "indebted" to you, tell him that you are investing in his future, he can pay you back someday when you need a favor.

Tell him that appreciation and loyalty does not always come down to dollars and cents. Sometimes it just comes down to helping someone out when they deserve it. Let him know he has paid his dues with you, and probably saved you much more than the cost of the limo, hotel, and tux over the years by being conciencious and reliable, and taking care of other menial things to free you up for the more important tasks.

Like Clint Eastwood said in Any Which Way... "A handout is what you get from the government, and hand up is what you get from a friend" - and you sound like a good friend.

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POOLMANinCT

hes going to be an electrical engineer & making more than me in 2 yrs LOL..

ray

dirt diggler

good ... future client

Forry

If you want to treat someone like royalty... let it be a star employee.
Clients come and go.

POOLMANinCT

John my 1 in a million left me a message this evening..
said he will only accept, if id let him work it off on a weekend. as far as his buddy & dates riding w/ him he is collecting share from them+ offfered it i said put it in the keg fund.

no regrets here, feels good when appreciation is appreciated. though i will work him to the bone that weekend as i do any other day lol

ray

dirt diggler

sounds like a good kid ...

is there a possibility of hiring him after school??

as a PM or anything???





never know ... he wouldn't be the first one to come out of college and decide to work in pool construction ....






course, I'm sure he's smarter than that



I was gonna play 3rd base for the Yankees when I was in school. Either that or run for president. Neither's happened yet ... perspectives change after ya get out ...

Bone Saw

Sounds Like a great Employee and a good guy. I think you should do it and take satisfaction in doing so. Just keep it on the (DOWN LOW) and everythings fine, and if the grunts find out, I don't think need to explain a ******* thing. From what you describe of this lad, he doesn't sound like a character that would go around blabbin and braggin about what you did for him

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Driftwood

Dad left a big hole,and you're helping to fill it. You are doing the right thing. Any complaints, ask them if the lost their Dad recently.
What comes around,goes around

Grumpy

If he has been with you for 5 years and the rest have been around for only 2 years, he has seniority.

I think I am a generous guy, especially to my employees and subs. Anyone who helps me, I want to help in return. However I may have offered to make a interest free loan rather than a no-payback grant. Primarily for the reason that then nobody can bitch. If you really don't want him to pay it back, then give him a raise also

True story: It was winter and one of my subs were workign installing some hardy siding. Like I said, I think I am a generous guy, so as I was driving to the job site I picked up some coffees for the guys. They were appreciative, but the next time I showed up I got "Hey where's our coffee?" I don't know if they were joking but I was very offended. That crew didn't get anything from me for a very long time. If I give you something above and beyond your pay DO NOT feel entitled to it. It is a perk, a bonus, a priveliage. It is not your god given right to recieve free coffee every time you see my smiling face.

drywallr41

I did sort of the same thing for a laborer i have ,been with me for 2 years, he still to this day is very grateful and if I ever needed him for anything would be there ina sec..

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MALCO.New.York

You did the Right Thing.


My only question is for you............


What, beyond his "Dedication" to you, prompted you to act in such an avuncular fashion???


If there is ANY question of impropriety on your part, FIX IT.

Not saying that there is...............Just a "Self-Check" question!



MALCO

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Snobnd

I think it is a good deed, It is the way it should be Good work rewarded!
Nice job!