Back to some rough days

[your_comforting_company]

SOOOO....

My helper quit yesterday after about 30 minutes of work.
Apparently I'm a smart*** and I pist him off.

After working for me for over a year, you'd think he'd be able to hear the plan, and set to work without supervision, or having to make sure he isn't breaking things, but I guess everyone doesn't learn on the same curve as me.

He put in for a raise a few weeks ago, and I should have been a smart*** then.. since he still can't run a bond line ("Which line do I start on?") and can't weave a valley, and can't run a straight ridge to save his life.
So I start pointing out reasons why he hasn't gotten a raise. (Like $25/hr. isn't good enough money) and suddenly I'm a smart***.

Oh well. I can be one of those, for sure. One thing I'm NOT is sloppy, inconsistent, unintelligent, incapable, non-thorough, and non-systematic. When I do a job, I do it the same way EVERY TIME. My methods are idiot proof, or so I thought.. but apparently someone has a learning disability. Personally, I can do something once, maybe twice, and I'm good at it. Point me where you want me, and I'll go do the job and do it well. After a year and a half, He still doesn't know where to begin, or the best way to go about it.... Come on man!!

So, It's just me again, putting tops on houses all by myself. I'm not afraid to work, and not afraid to work hard. Yes, it takes longer to do it alone, but it's also more money in my pocket. Folks understand when you get on a big house that a man with a family can't go 3-4 weeks without a paycheck, so we set up a draw schedule based on work completed. No skin off my knuckles (well maybe a little). But NEVER let it be said that YCC is a wuss (not my word of choice, but this is PG13, right?).

Anyhow, I just had to rant for a second. The most disappointing thing about this whole situation, is this guy is far older than me, nearing 50, and has been a friend of the family ever since I can remember. That might not be the situation hereforward. This fella has lost most every friend he has in the last 4-5 years. He may have one more to add to that list. I'd elaborate on this, but I don't want to turn this into a personal attack on the guy.

The message here, for everyone... If you can't handle your boss telling you that you are doing something wrong, you should reconsider your career choices. Maybe it was the age difference, maybe there's something going on in his life that I don't know about.. but something changed in recent weeks and it was like going from dealing with a 48 yr. old man, to dealing with a 16yr. old kid.

Anyhow... I'll be pulling some long days from here on out, so you'll have to excuse my lack of postings. I will be around, but I won't have a lot of extra time between work, eat, sleep, repeat. I'll do my best to help answer questions, but please be patient for my reply!

[crashdive123]

Too bad about losing your helper. Not sure how the job situation is where you are, but I would imagine that if you wanted another one, it wouldn't be hard to fill the position - and for less than the previous guy was making.

[your_comforting_company]

I've got my eyes open.. Not a lot of people want to get into this profession, and those that do, don't want to do it the old-fashioned way. Most folks prefer pneumatic guns and roofs that fall back off in a few years time... I like for mine to stay on the full 30 years.

I did find someone to come this afternoon and help me clean up the ground. That'll save me a lot of time.
Things always work out. I just have to endure until it gets better. "Perdurabo"

Thanks Crash.

[Rick]

The problem is his, not yours. Don't let your thoughts about him impact you. We generally have more trouble with the thoughts we generate within our own mind than we do with what actually went down. Just let it go now that it's done.

Good luck. Even a grunt hauling bundles would be a help for you. With your attitude, I'm sure it will work out just fine.

[BENESSE]

That's a bummer YCC. Hope you find someone with the right attitude, maybe a young apprentice grateful for the opportunity to learn a very useful craft from a pro. Someone who'll stick with it--start at the bottom and work his/her way up.
You have a large extended family, if I remember correctly. Anyone there? (I'm sure you thought of it.)
Or maybe family & friends aren't a good idea after all. One would think with so much unemployment, people would beat their way to your door just for a chance.
Good luck, and stay healthy and well.

[Justin Case]

Maybe he just couldn't handle a younger boss ? I cant picture you as a smart ***,, you are plenty smart, but far from an ***,, good luck finding another helper,, Hoosierrancher needs a job

[rwc1969]

Maybe he was justgetting older and sorer physically, roofing is tough work no doubt about it. Maybe it was getting to him mentally. Hopefully you can find someone who will stick it out, be easy to train and not break things or cause you grief.

I know people who are smart and can figure things out on their own, but when it comes to work they seem to have grown accustomed to supervision and can't think for themselves. You have to lead them every step of the way and as soon as you walk away they stop working.

[your_comforting_company]

B. I have put some thought into the "friends and family" thing.. I don't have many friends as it is and the ones I hire, well... after a while they don't want to be friends anymore. I do have a pretty big extended family, but the ones that will work hard already have jobs, and the ones that don't have jobs... well, theres a reason for that. Mostly because they are lazy. I have put the word out at the supply house. Hopefully someone I don't know will come asking. That way friendship can't get in the way of being the boss.

And I know you are right Rick. In the moment, I had nothing to say. It's all the afterthinking that is getting to me. Maybe it was his age and a younger boss getting to him. After reading these posts, I'm pretty sure the issue wasn't mine. I was doing my job as boss, making sure he wasn't tearing things up, and such. Whatever the problem was, it's gone now and I can only keep my chin up and keep going and try not to let the loss of yet another friend hold me down.

RWC makes a good point. A few weeks ago, when I was helping the carpenter, It took me a day or two to figure out how he wanted things done. After that, I was always one step ahead of him. I don't think he was used to someone being dedicated and actually using their head for something other than a hatrack. He's had helpers come and go, and in a discussion, he pointed out that most of the time he'd come back from geting supplies and find nothing done.. everyone wandering around wondering what to do.

Thanks for the cheer up guys. I'll try not to let it bother me and just keep plugging away. Gotten farther on this current job than I thought I would by myself.. might actually finish tomorrow and get to go fishing on Friday! WooHoo!

[kyratshooter]

I've got my eyes open.. Not a lot of people want to get into this profession, and those that do, don't want to do it the old-fashioned way. Most folks prefer pneumatic guns and roofs that fall back off in a few years time... I like for mine to stay on the full 30 years.

I did find someone to come this afternoon and help me clean up the ground. That'll save me a lot of time.
Things always work out. I just have to endure until it gets better. "Perdurabo"

Thanks Crash.

You don't use a nail gun? That has nothing to do with when the roof falls off, just how fast you can put it on! Same nails, same shingles. I'll bet you tote the bundles to the roof on your shoulder too.

This is 2010, no wonder he quit!

[Justin Case]

You don't use a nail gun? That has nothing to do with when the roof falls off, just how fast you can put it on! Same nails, same shingles. I'll bet you tote the bundles to the roof on your shoulder too.

This is 2010, no wonder he quit!

it wouldn't be nails, it would be staples with a gun, and Hand nailed roofs are WAYYY better !! Especially if you are doing a re-roof,,, (new shingles over old, 1 7/8 nails are the way to go,, am i right YCC ?

[Rick]

You can actually use nails or staples with a gun. Whichever you want.

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[Justin Case]

Oh Yeah,, I forgot about those coil guns

[gryffynklm]

Ycc, Like rick said, its not you. Your posts show that you do not do things slipshod. Good luck on finding someone who takes a job and finds the pride and satisfaction in doing it right by your system. They are out there. Quality of a mans life.

Rick, I saw a friend nail his hand to a rafter. His buddy cut the rafter and took him to the hospital still nailed to a chunk of wood. Lucky, it missed major arteries and bone. His hand is fine. Note to self don't over reach while nailing with a pneumatic nailer. Move the freaking ladder.

Your smart*** is welcome in my camp any time.

[Rick]

I worked with a guy that was the reason idiot labels appear on products. He had a revolving account at the local ER. He was forever doing something stupid. He once nailed a 2X down with his fingers still clutching it. All the other tools were just out of reach. He said he could touch his cell phone with his fingers but couldn't stretch far enough to actually get it. He finally sat down and waited for someone to show up with his hand still nailed down.

I said, "Steve, why didn't you use your foot to reach the cell phone?" He looked at me for a moment then said,

"Damn it!"

We laughed about that for a long time and would bring it up every chance we got.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

After he's been with you a year he's learned your system and should be worth more than a new hire. If job won't support higher labor costs convert hourly wage to pay by the foot. Watch his production tripple. If he's worth more money he can earn it at no additional cost to you. Provided you have the work to keep him busy.

[BENESSE]

Where does quality/good workmanship figure in?

[BENESSE]

You know the one about Quality, Speed, Price--Pick any two.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

You know the one about Quality, Speed, Price--Pick any two.

Speed allowed through taking short cuts should not be tolerated. The job is still the same but modivation is increased. You only get paid for what you accomplish. Hourly wage encourages dragging the job out to last longer and get the most for the least amount of effort. It works in construction.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

Getting on a job and getting it done fast builds reputaion and brings work to you. Especially for sub contractors. So much courdination is involved from the generals point of view they don't waste time on crews that can't deliver a job on time because they hold up other aspects of the job and have dead lines imposed by banks.

[Sarge47]

The fact that he quit so fast makes me think that there's something else at play here; maybe he found another job elsewhere that he likes better but felt guilty just walking out on you, so he makes this crap up. If I work for a boss for over a year I should know weather or not he's a smart azz; & I should know him well enough to give crap back. You say he wanted a raise & that's his reason? So what's he going to do for money if he quit you? I think he's already found something else before he ever talked to you! Just my thoughts on the matter. However, what's done is done. don't hire him back, some things can be tolerated, disloyalty & insubordination cannot!