New employee
- Thread starter B Spring
- Start date
AZ PowerWash Pros
New member
We start employees out at $11 per hour. But we have a 3 week training program before they are hired. 1 week they ride with a current employee and just watch and learn. The 2nd week they do all the work and our senior employee watches them and reports to us. The 3rd week they are on their own and our Foreman checks all their work and grades it. If they have any problems we tell them this job is not right for them. And let them go right away.
Good luck! Finding good employees has been my hardest struggle as an owner so far. But after initiating this training program it has helped a lot. And luckily I got 6 great guys that I don't plan on replacing!
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
Good luck! Finding good employees has been my hardest struggle as an owner so far. But after initiating this training program it has helped a lot. And luckily I got 6 great guys that I don't plan on replacing!
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
socalkol
New member
3 week training program "before they are hired"? Are they getting any pay during this time? If not how do you politely explain the situation to them ahead of time.
AZ PowerWash Pros
New member
They are paid for those 3 weeks of training, $8.00 per hour. But if they don't pass the tests and training they are fired right away.
We also make them pass 2 tests for terminology because I could not stand when my employees called a surface cleaner a scrubber!! So we created terminology tests.
We also make them pass 2 tests for terminology because I could not stand when my employees called a surface cleaner a scrubber!! So we created terminology tests.
socalkol
New member
Good stuff Ty, Thanks!
Rapid HotClean
New member
What about drug testing?
Here in Oregon if they have a medical marijuana card (about 58,000 have one) that test is out.
Criminal background?
Here in Oregon if they have a medical marijuana card (about 58,000 have one) that test is out.
Criminal background?
don't forget about workers comp claims///and UE claims, these are things employers should ck IMO
Vince Wood
Active member
I would have flunked your test Ty. Sometimes I call the surface cleaner a water scrubber. At least my helpers know what I'm talking about lol.
Rapid HotClean
New member
For sure. Driving record too.
Drug test is about $25. Full criminal + driving + drug about $125.
Some employers make the employee pay for those too.
Scott Stone
New member
Our employees have to undergo a full criminal background, credit and drug test. It is a requirement of our contracts. Interestingly, with the credit check, they don't care if their credit is bad. They just want to see consistent spending patterns. With the background checks, any violent crime disqualifies them from working for us.
What about theft or narcotics?
Rapid HotClean
New member
It'd sure cut back on the lying.
What you pay an employee will be totally based on where you are, minimum wage, and what they can get for doing less work. I have been looking very seriously at an employee as the 80 hour weeks are starting to get to me and of course the wife with our 6 week old and 2.5 old is not to happy either. I have talked to guys with 20 years experience in my market with a couple employee's to see what the going wage is, and what the costs on top are. Looking at ad's other companies both large and small have put out, and looking at what other jobs pay I think I have it nailed down for a fair wage.
The biggest thing you have to remember is if they can do an easier job for the same money which do you think they will choose? Pressure washing is not an easy job and requires a lot more attention and physical demands then many other jobs. There are people that prefer a more active lifestyle, but generally those people also understand they can make way more then minimum wage. Also most times the best employee's know how good they are and generally will not stick around as they know they can be like you once they get money and knowledge in the industry. The only way you can keep these types is if you pay them well and give them lots of hours and perks.
To give you an idea on wages, around here minimum wage is $10.25 an hour, so even Mcdonalds is close to $12 an hour. Starting wage for larger pressure wash companies is $16 an hour, top out at $25 an hour washing. Small companies start around $18 and top out around just under $30 an hour right now. With larger companies you might get more hours, but need to work longer to make the same money as smaller companies.
Employee's are like equipment, if you buy the cheapest you don't expect, but you hope for the best results. If you are not willing to pay what an employee is worth, don't expect the best employee. You can get lucky, but is it really worth it in the end? All the time in training and grooming, you were better off finding and paying an employee well from the start and keeping them around. They have to pay rent, car payments, food, beer, ect. My goal is to pay a guy so he can live, not so he is just scraping by.
I know my experience is limited, but all the jobs and positions I worked before this have taught me what I just put down here. Your experiences might be different, but see what works for you and go with it.
The biggest thing you have to remember is if they can do an easier job for the same money which do you think they will choose? Pressure washing is not an easy job and requires a lot more attention and physical demands then many other jobs. There are people that prefer a more active lifestyle, but generally those people also understand they can make way more then minimum wage. Also most times the best employee's know how good they are and generally will not stick around as they know they can be like you once they get money and knowledge in the industry. The only way you can keep these types is if you pay them well and give them lots of hours and perks.
To give you an idea on wages, around here minimum wage is $10.25 an hour, so even Mcdonalds is close to $12 an hour. Starting wage for larger pressure wash companies is $16 an hour, top out at $25 an hour washing. Small companies start around $18 and top out around just under $30 an hour right now. With larger companies you might get more hours, but need to work longer to make the same money as smaller companies.
Employee's are like equipment, if you buy the cheapest you don't expect, but you hope for the best results. If you are not willing to pay what an employee is worth, don't expect the best employee. You can get lucky, but is it really worth it in the end? All the time in training and grooming, you were better off finding and paying an employee well from the start and keeping them around. They have to pay rent, car payments, food, beer, ect. My goal is to pay a guy so he can live, not so he is just scraping by.
I know my experience is limited, but all the jobs and positions I worked before this have taught me what I just put down here. Your experiences might be different, but see what works for you and go with it.
HighTide
New member
There is a pretty good supply of labor in my county, which includes a lot of undesirables (I wasted some time on about 8 of them). I start a new guy at $10/hr and see how he works for 2-4 weeks. If I like him, he goes to $11 until he shows efficient work and proper techniques that I teach him then he goes to $12. My new guy has been with me for three months and he will get a raise to $12 this January. My main employee that has been with me for a year now makes $13/hr plus a small bonus from work on large or more difficult jobs (my new guy also gets an occasional weekly bonus depending on the jobs completed and his part in them). Some travel with me is paid along with on-site lunch breaks. They can choose to meet me at the project or ride along with me to save their gas.
WASH-IT H.B.
New member
Just for your information.
Here in new Zealand we have minimum wage rates set by gubmint decree. Being one of the most over regulated countries in the world it is not surprising the gubmnit won’t let the market set it’s own wages levels. The below is a cut and paste from the New Zealand gubmints MINISTRY OF BUSINESS INOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT.
*********************************************************************************
The minimum wage
There are three minimum wage rates:
•The adult minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 and over who are not starting-out workers or trainees, and all employees who are involved in supervising or training other employees.
•The starting-out wage applies to starting-out workers. Starting-out workers are: ◦16- and 17-year-old employees who have not yet completed six months of continuous employment with their current employer.
◦18- and 19-year-old employees who have been paid a specified social security benefit for six months or more, and who have not yet completed six months continuous employment with any employer since they started being paid a benefit. Once they have completed six months continuous employment with a single employer, they will no longer be a starting-out worker, and must be paid at least the adult minimum wage rate.
◦16- to 19-year-old employees who are required by their employment agreement to undertake industry training for at least 40 credits a year in order to become qualified.
•The training minimum wage applies to employees aged 20 years or over who are doing recognised industry training involving at least 60 credits a year as part of their employment agreement, in order to become qualified.
There is no minimum wage for employees aged under 16 but all other employment rights and entitlements still apply. When looking at whether an employee who is 16 years or older is a starting-out worker, any time spent employed by an employer before the employee turned 16 must be included when calculating the time that employee has been continuously employed.
Employers and employees may agree to any wage rate as long as it is not less than the applicable minimum wage rate. Starting-out workers must be paid at least the minimum starting-out wage rate, and trainees over 20 years of age must be paid at least the training minimum wage rate.
A small number of people hold an exemption from the minimum wage (see the section about minimum wage exemptions).
The minimum wage rates are reviewed every year. The current adult minimum wage rates (before tax) that apply for employees aged 16 or over are:
•$13.75 an hour, which is
•$110.00 for an 8-hour day or
•$550.00 for a 40-hour week.
The minimum rates that apply to starting-out workers, and employees on the training minimum wage (before tax), are:
•$11.00 an hour, which is
•$88.00 for an 8-hour day or
•$440.00 for a 40-hour week.
Employees have to be paid at least the minimum hourly wage rate for any extra time worked over eight hours a day or 40 hours a week.
Anyone who thinks they are being paid less than the minimum wage should call the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on 0800 20 90 20.
**********************************************************************************
Here in new Zealand we have minimum wage rates set by gubmint decree. Being one of the most over regulated countries in the world it is not surprising the gubmnit won’t let the market set it’s own wages levels. The below is a cut and paste from the New Zealand gubmints MINISTRY OF BUSINESS INOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT.
*********************************************************************************
The minimum wage
There are three minimum wage rates:
•The adult minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 and over who are not starting-out workers or trainees, and all employees who are involved in supervising or training other employees.
•The starting-out wage applies to starting-out workers. Starting-out workers are: ◦16- and 17-year-old employees who have not yet completed six months of continuous employment with their current employer.
◦18- and 19-year-old employees who have been paid a specified social security benefit for six months or more, and who have not yet completed six months continuous employment with any employer since they started being paid a benefit. Once they have completed six months continuous employment with a single employer, they will no longer be a starting-out worker, and must be paid at least the adult minimum wage rate.
◦16- to 19-year-old employees who are required by their employment agreement to undertake industry training for at least 40 credits a year in order to become qualified.
•The training minimum wage applies to employees aged 20 years or over who are doing recognised industry training involving at least 60 credits a year as part of their employment agreement, in order to become qualified.
There is no minimum wage for employees aged under 16 but all other employment rights and entitlements still apply. When looking at whether an employee who is 16 years or older is a starting-out worker, any time spent employed by an employer before the employee turned 16 must be included when calculating the time that employee has been continuously employed.
Employers and employees may agree to any wage rate as long as it is not less than the applicable minimum wage rate. Starting-out workers must be paid at least the minimum starting-out wage rate, and trainees over 20 years of age must be paid at least the training minimum wage rate.
A small number of people hold an exemption from the minimum wage (see the section about minimum wage exemptions).
The minimum wage rates are reviewed every year. The current adult minimum wage rates (before tax) that apply for employees aged 16 or over are:
•$13.75 an hour, which is
•$110.00 for an 8-hour day or
•$550.00 for a 40-hour week.
The minimum rates that apply to starting-out workers, and employees on the training minimum wage (before tax), are:
•$11.00 an hour, which is
•$88.00 for an 8-hour day or
•$440.00 for a 40-hour week.
Employees have to be paid at least the minimum hourly wage rate for any extra time worked over eight hours a day or 40 hours a week.
Anyone who thinks they are being paid less than the minimum wage should call the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on 0800 20 90 20.
**********************************************************************************
jon chapman
New member
Wow, and we complain about our minimum wage!
I pay $10 plus cash bonus based on profit of job. Ends up being $3-5 more/hour. Ive been real lucky in that I have had guys referred to me and have not had to place an add. I did have decent success with day laborers in the early days.
As for background checks I use Ask The Seal. I beleive it is $35 for checks.
I dont know if they are in your state, but they market heavily here and it gets me a few jobs.
I pay $10 plus cash bonus based on profit of job. Ends up being $3-5 more/hour. Ive been real lucky in that I have had guys referred to me and have not had to place an add. I did have decent success with day laborers in the early days.
As for background checks I use Ask The Seal. I beleive it is $35 for checks.
I dont know if they are in your state, but they market heavily here and it gets me a few jobs.
Scott Stone
New member
Narcotics or drugs are no problem, as long as they can pass a drug test. Theft is something that the city will not even consider.
Boy, do I have stories about some of the things that we have had to let people go for.
As far as wages, we are able to do more than most. Our employees get some benefits, like a week of paid vacation, 5 sick days a year, 6 holidays a year, medical, dental and optical insurance, that we pay a majority for, and we start them at $11 an hour. They get a raise at 90 days, and are out the door at a couple of days if they are not making the grade. We are pretty up front in telling them that they don't fit the job.
Thats Good on optical, Employee that Cant see is Worthless