Being the Bad Guy

AZ PowerWash Pros

New member
So this post is probably going to come off more as a vent but I guess I am looking for some support and or advice on what your opinions are here. Today a pretty good employee of mine that has been with us for 2 years wrecked the taillight of one of my trucks and its really quite a long story how the incident occurred. But regardless, I had to jump in the middle of it and reprimand like 5 employees involved including my operations manager and warehouse manager. And I just feel down about the whole situation because I would really not prefer to have to raise my voice at employees and threaten them. But today if felt like a situation where it seemed necessary to jump in and put some people in their places because everyone was pointed fingers without taking blame.

So I guess where I am going with this is, I just feel kinda bad that I had to straighten out people and I was upset and raised my voice. I didn't want to at all and it is Friday and I wanted to just enjoy my day. But everyone involved truthfully deserved being reprimanded. But for some reason it still makes me feel bad that it had to happen. I am not even upset about the vehicle I am more upset that everyone was not following protocol which lead to the incident. I wrote some people up and almost fired the employee. Long day to say the least. I think it has something to do with the fact that I feel close like friends with my operations manager especially and I really let him have it. But I am a firm believer that business and friendship have to be separated and I let know that quite clearly today.

How do you guys cope with these situations? I can't be the only one.
 
Ty, I've actually been in your shoes before. I don't have the staff you do but even with a handful of employees for me at times - things happen.
Anyway, from the way it sounds you did what you had to do. No matter how long they've been working for you or how good they are, sometimes guys get out of line and need to be put back in. It happens. Nothing personal, just business. Nobody's perfect.

Sleep on it over the weekend and see how you feel Monday. Maybe then you can have a civil meeting about it. That way all can end well afterward. Go with your gut.
 
So this post is probably going to come off more as a vent but I guess I am looking for some support and or advice on what your opinions are here. Today a pretty good employee of mine that has been with us for 2 years wrecked the taillight of one of my trucks and its really quite a long story how the incident occurred. But regardless, I had to jump in the middle of it and reprimand like 5 employees involved including my operations manager and warehouse manager. And I just feel down about the whole situation because I would really not prefer to have to raise my voice at employees and threaten them. But today if felt like a situation where it seemed necessary to jump in and put some people in their places because everyone was pointed fingers without taking blame.

So I guess where I am going with this is, I just feel kinda bad that I had to straighten out people and I was upset and raised my voice. I didn't want to at all and it is Friday and I wanted to just enjoy my day. But everyone involved truthfully deserved being reprimanded. But for some reason it still makes me feel bad that it had to happen. I am not even upset about the vehicle I am more upset that everyone was not following protocol which lead to the incident. I wrote some people up and almost fired the employee. Long day to say the least. I think it has something to do with the fact that I feel close like friends with my operations manager especially and I really let him have it. But I am a firm believer that business and friendship have to be separated and I let know that quite clearly today.

How do you guys cope with these situations? I can't be the only one.

I like the response- everyone has their own style and opinion

Do you feel you were over the top? or simply feel bad about raising your voice because its not your normal style?

Sometimes guys need to be put in their place- keeps them on their toes
 
Do you feel you were over the top? or simply feel bad about raising your voice because its not your normal style?


Thanks for the response Chad. Sorry I missed your call today Mike btw...

Anyway in response your question Mike, I don't really know. That is the crazy part, at first I thought it was more than necessary then 20 mins later I started re-evaluating the situation and think I may have taken it more out on my Operations guy than what was deserved. Then 10 mins later after I think no it was necessary.

I wouldn't say its my normal style by any means, but once every 3 or 4 months I have been known to step in and handle business in this manner. But I really don't want to have to that is why I have created so many protocols and have so many procedures in place. But this incident was just people not following these procedures which lead to damage to a company vehicle and I felt like it was pure laziness of my employees. But then I think they may have too much on their plate, etc etc...

I think i just need a BEER! hahahaha
 
it probably just means that you are a pretty good guy and a pretty good business man. The fact that you care enough about your employees that it makes you feel bad now probably means that you have a big heart and are compassionate. The fact that you still jumped their butts probably means you are a pretty good business man. Sometimes you just have to speak your mind even if you don't want to
 
I know a few ways to avoid these situations......

One is to fire everyone and just do all the work yourself. Problem solved.

Or considering hiring a woman to work out in the field power washing. I actually learned this from my foreman while I was installing guardrail on the freeways/highways of Southern California years ago.

Example situation: Luke forgets to turn the burner on the machine 3 times in 1 night while you're trying to remove gum from some sidewalks. After the 3rd time you start getting a little ticked off at Luke and you can either "A" Tell him to pull his head out of his butt and pay attention and do his job right or.......

Put your hand on top of your forehead like you're looking out to sea and say "Jane (who is your female technician), Jane where are you Jane? Luke needs some help over here turning on the burner for the machine. Oh wait, never mind Jane isn't here tonight"

Believe it or not and it may seem childish or even stupid to some guys but you will see Luke straighten right up and not do anything to screw up for at least 3 or 4 weeks. I don't know if it's a male ego thing or what but it's worked every time for me in the past and it worked for years with my foreman with us.
 
Employees need to be heard not happy. Threatening anyone is wrong. Letting them know you are upset is ok. I have had these same things happen and been upset but they know you are upset about the situation. You need to bring them in the office and talk to them individually, comely.
 
Well as long as you aren't always like that it will be fine. I remember I had a boss that used to yell at my co workers and make them feel like crap, he made it become very uncomfortable working there and I hated to see other people treated that way, but it understandable to give them a kick in the a## every now and then especially when they cause accidents that could have been prevented.
 
I feel your pain. Try firing the guy who used to be one of your best friends.
 
The following link is the result of a preventable accident..........

http://ww2.copart.com/us/Lot/35424494/Photos?SearchId=719163626

That is my wife's old car that my step son totaled out. Even though it looks okay on the outside it needs 2 new drive axles, lower control arms, a new transmission solenoid that cost over $2200 alone, oil pan, transmission pan, new tire/rim and I forgot what else it needed. He was too cheap to put new tires on his 3 year old car, blew a right front and took out the whole right side of his Mazda 2. He didn't total his own car even though it was in the body shop. My wife decided she would save him a few bucks on the rental car (under 25 years of age) so he was in her car and she was driving a rental car. Who crashes 2 cars in 2 weeks? The kid ran into a curb going around a curve at 40 MPH. Personally I think he was racing it.

End result, the insurance company paid off this car and my wife got a 2015.5 Volvo S60. We were going to replace the old car anyways but the kid took care of it for us. If he would've spent the $300 on a new set of tires for his car neither accident would have ever happened. Both of these accidents were preventable in my book.

Some accidents are preventable and some aren't. Hopefully the guy learned his lesson as well. I would have had him drug tested though right after the accident regardless. It comes with the cost of doing business. Nobody but nobody drives my work truck besides me. If something happens to it then I know exactly what happened and how it happened.
 
Ty,

You did what you have to do in that situation. I, like you Ty, are about the same age, and I believe we came from a different generation of management styles. When I was a young man and even as a 30 yr old working in the construction trade, the bosses I looked up to were the ones who didn't take shit. I'm so sick of this PC bullshit, my feelings hurt, you yelled at me. To F_)))king bad- you're the same guys asking for raises, not coming in on time, crashing my trucks, not following simple instructions. We don't sleep at night worrying about these same employees and how we will pay them, make sure we stay in business, etc..

This type of laborer listens to authority and authority in this right may just raise their voice. Trust me, I have the same exact heartache and feel bad all the time for getting on the guys. The reason I'm a business owner and successful is because of the bosses and individuals who put me in my place. I have many times spoken with my brother, whom both of worked for our uncle as young men, and we both say "would he put up with all this shit" the answer is always "NO". He ran a 20m a year construction company and was successful and the fairest guy out there. Yes, he yelled every once in a while, but it was because the inmates started running the asylum. Good bosses are assertive and respond to broken protocol assertively. Many may disagree and say life has changed and you manage labor in a different manner. No you don't- these same guys will walk right into the Workers Comp office and say they're hurt when they're not, they will go to the labor board and say you cheat them out of hours. Your business is not a game, its your life. They disrespected your living, authority, and simple protocols that feed their families. If you yelled and put people in place so they can continue to feed their family than so be it.

Dont feel bad and take each individual incident as a learning experience for yourself and your team. Your not to blame and really don't feel bad, because at the end of the day, your signature is on each of their paychecks. If they can't take an earful every once in awhile when they mess up, take a walk "Boy" your not the "Man" I need in your position.

I get yelled at all day long by numerous people and I usually deserve it in some manner. When was the last time someone yelled for no reason? Not too many times I can remember.

Jeremy Clark
Clark Services
www.clarkservices1.com
 
Employees need to be heard not happy?

I don't understand what that means.
 
I struggle with this. Not so much with the low end labor guys who are easy to just get rid of, but with guys with more responsibility like Chris and Cameron.

Making really bad choices that affect the company negatively are fair game for a chewing out.

On the other hand, yesterday the lift had an electrical problem and they had a big day scheduled. Chris worked hard to fix the problem yet drove off forgetting to bolt the upper control box down properly. The $2500 box fell off in transit and was destroyed. Chris called me right away, devastated, apologetic, and demanding that I let him pay for it offering to transfer the money to my account immediately.

Knowing how hard he works, knowing how competent he is and how easy it is to forget something when you've got guys standing around getting paid and waiting to start work and a machine is down, I just couldn't figure any reason to be angry with him.

Since the guys couldn't work he spent the entire rest of the day and into the evening trying to put the box back together and make it work to no avail.

Today they started finishing up accounts they can do without the lift until the new part comes in next week.
 
Right there !!

I holler all the time , when I'm calm I holler.

I don't usually scream much. I bark a little.

I don't handle employees that's not my job. I hired someone to do that.

He handles them, he's calm and cool. The guys rep spect him because he works side by side if needed. Shoot I'll be honest I didn't and won't know some of the guys names that work for me.

I also have jobs I've never seen.
Nor will I ever see them.

The guy who takes care of things , he made me dent my truck once. He ducked when I threw a camera right at him. Hit my tail gate dented it. Flew a can of air at office manager. I was not aiming at her. She ducked can dented office fridge.

I smashed a few printers.

All on all it was a good run, I hate employees. People suck!!

I was blessed to have the good crew I had, they where loyal to me. Most have made good money , more than they would ever make on there own. Happy as hell to.

I won't baby sit, if you need a baby sitter you won't work for me.

Ty your a human, shit happens. They need to know your serious about what's going on.

I will tell you this make them retrain and test out once in awhile no matter how long them have been with you.

Good luck with them!!




Ron Musgraves
www.uamcc.org
"Sidewalk cleaning"
 
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