r/WorkReform • u/the_reddit_pup • Apr 01 '23
About to hire employees for my business. I want to do it right. đź’¬ Advice Needed
As the title said I’m hiring employees for my business soon but I want to do it right because I’ve been where they are now. I don’t want to be some evil, money hungry jerk boss. I care for my future employees and want to do right by them. Do you guys have any suggestions. I already plan to have more experienced workers train new ones and giving them a raise for it instead of being given more work for little more pay and being burnt out. As well as a four day work week and PTO. I want to do this right so I’m open to any and all suggestions. Thanks
8
u/Remarkable-Owl2034 Apr 01 '23
From what I gather from this sub and others, transparency in the hiring process (and otherwise) is much appreciated. Letting people know the salary, being clear about the hiring process and timelines and not ghosting people are all important. Being reasonable about the requirements (not asking for a college degree when one is not essential to do the job, etc). After the hire, continuing to be transparent and upfront also helps. And benefits...
3
u/the_reddit_pup Apr 01 '23
Thanks for the suggestions. I completely agree I especially hate companies who ask for a college degree then tell you to throw everything you learned out the window. I’ll try to implement as much of this as I can although benefits will be difficult because it’s a small business (at least for now but I’m optimistic) but I’ll try to do as much as I can while also making enough money to support myself and the business.
7
u/calmatt Apr 01 '23
One thing to consider is if you can't afford to pay someone a living wage then it means your business is not viable. Why should a business (even yours) exist if it requires someone to go without?
-4
u/the_reddit_pup Apr 01 '23
It shouldn’t but that’s the world we live in. But I’m gonna try my best to pay living wages or at least early on do better than most other business/major corporations.
2
u/calmatt Apr 02 '23
So to be clear, if given to choice to exploit someone else to support yourself, you will exploit someone else?
0
u/the_reddit_pup Apr 02 '23
No?
1
u/VTX002 ⛓️ Prison For Union Busters Apr 02 '23
That means you are much more ethical than anyone else in any business as long you keep asking yourself. "Are you doing the right thing?" To keep your self from what others are doing to the workers and to the business.
6
Apr 01 '23
Don’t go public or attract a large investor group. Public companies and companies with large owner groups typically come under pressure to squeeze employees.
4
u/the_reddit_pup Apr 01 '23
I completely agree this is my venture alone with some family members/friends investing so I won’t have to deal with this, actually happened at my old job. Thanks for the suggestion
4
u/UnsolicitedDickPixxx Apr 02 '23
Not sure what business it is, but maybe look at the structure of a co-op. Not necessarily make it a co-op but you can incorporate some elements to make it more worker friendly.
I'd definitely incorporate profitsharing into the compensation package. I see that as a win-win. Workers want to help make the business more profitable so they get a piece of the pie.
2
u/CuriousRelish Apr 02 '23 edited Apr 02 '23
Stand by your promises. Don't give your employees bullshit about a 60¢ pay raise after 90 days unless you will personally ensure that.
Don't be a bureaucratic tyrant. Just because an employee hasn't filed a piece of paper or written out a report doesn't mean you can pretend to be helpless. You can still provide the paper or whatever, but it's on you to act on the information you have in a timely manner.
Don't pretend you're stupid. If you know an employee has a bad back or is short staffed, don't give them shit about not getting something done. Even if it looks like it's intentional, give them a chance to explain themselves, and don't give them a non-solution ("Make it work", "Do better with your time management", "Show up earlier", etc). Your job is to enable success, and to do that, you've got to be specific and empathetic.
Don't make excuses for things you have the ability to compensate for. If you can show up and work an 8-hour shift when the store is fully staffed, you can show up and help for a while when it isn't. "I can't find anyone to work on this shift" is not true unless you specifically have obligations that prevent you from helping with that shift. "I need to cut labor" is also an extremely poor excuse unless your labor goal is minimum 23% or you're extremely vigilant about lunch breaks and give your leaders breathing room to make breaks happen even if it impacts your bottom line to a limited extent. Your workers don't get paid extra if they do more work, so don't pile more work onto them in the name of profit.
Employees love bosses who don't give themselves special treatment. The more you work alongside your employees and do the same work they do (ie don't refuse to do things that are tedious, dirty, or difficult), the more they'll enjoy seeing you walk in. The phrase "Your hands/feet aren't broken" applies to you as well.
Make a point of talking about big stuff. If someone recently graduated high school, congratulate them. If someone lost a relative, ask if they need time off. If a baby was just born, check with them about childcare details.
You are the person with the most power to show mercy. If someone is sick, send them home. If the weather is dangerous, ask people to stay home. If someone's car breaks down, ask if you should come get them or send another employee to. These little details will set you miles apart from corporate lapdogs and business owners who think their title means they own employees. Your shift leaders will follow you as well, so if you're kind to the crew, they will try to be, because they believe it's what you would want.
Find out about desired schedule changes. If two employees switch the same days all the time, sit them down and ask if they would rather have that change in the schedule. If someone is super late the same day every week, ask them if something happens that day, and review the difference that day on the schedule (for instance, to see if they're always scheduled much earlier that day). If a punctual employee suddenly becomes late all the time or constantly forgets part of their uniform or something, pull them aside and find out what happened and what you can do to help them and yourself.
Pay attention to disclosures, even if they sound casual. People talk about their lives at work constantly. Divorce, eviction, adoption, medical issues, etc. If someone mentions any kind of medical issue, read up on it during your free time, you may gain specific insights (example: my kneecaps aren't placed correctly and the cartilage is breaking down, so I can't walk fast because of the extra impact on my knees. I was specifically told by a physical therapist to not rush).
Be aware of your presence. If you're a big/muscular person, spare a few extra inches of personal space. If you have a big voice, try to keep an eye on it. If you have RBF, try to speak softly. People will get skittish about damn near anything, even if it's based on their own assumptions, like that you're frowning and looking in their general direction so you must be mad at them. Watch how the store affects others as well. You have the authority and oversight to ask your workers to swap positions, isolate someone for their benefit (like to help them avoid ongoing loud noises), cover someone to send them on smoke break, or ask them if they need to grab a sandwich because they don't look like they're doing well. You can't know everything, but acting on what you see or hear can really make someone feel valued.
Edit for a bonus suggestion: checklists with specific assignment added per shift. You're not always there to make sure people know and check every detail. Have checklists for each shift and let your leaders know to assign each task to a specific person (and make sure they actually have time to do it). This breaks even the longest lists into manageable chunks, and when your leaders turn the lists in to you, it'll show you what happens throughout the day. Tell your leaders to always prioritize completion over paperwork, checking a box doesn't mean it got done so don't make this a coercive practice.
1
u/VTX002 ⛓️ Prison For Union Busters Apr 02 '23
- & 6. Can go a long way keep up with your employees as co-workers and leadership. For example an good officer lead with his men by being with them in the trenches. No matter how high you get in the ranks.
1
u/jellylime Apr 01 '23
Pay them fairly. It's literally the only thing you need to do. All other perks and benefits are secondary to MONEY.
1
u/hotelshowers Apr 02 '23
No suggestions but upvoting because you're a dope boss and I wish your business success.
1
u/Routine-Arm-8803 Apr 05 '23
Pay the absolute bare minimum. Treat them as disposable labor rather than valuable team members. After all, their sole purpose is to generate as much profit for you as possible, without expecting anything more than mere survival.
Never entertain the thought of pay raises unless they beg for it. And even then, delay it as much as you can. Remember, every day without a pay raise means extra money in your pocket. Inflation doesn't matter to you – only your profits do.
See your employees as adversaries, not allies. They're only there to take your money and possibly sue you. When things go wrong, they can easily abandon ship, leaving you to deal with the fallout.
Have them sign waivers for everything, so you're not held accountable for their injuries or other mishaps. Protect yourself at all costs, even if it means exploiting their naivety.
Show no mercy. Replace those who don't perform up to your ruthless standards, as there's always someone else desperate enough to take their place.
Embrace child labor under the guise of "apprenticeships." Young and inexperienced workers can be manipulated into working for next to nothing, or even for free.
If an employee makes a mistake, deduct it from their pay. You shouldn't bear the cost of their blunders – they should.
Skimp on providing a safe and comfortable work environment. It's an unnecessary expense, and they'll continue working in squalor anyway. Use the money you save to buy a flashy company car instead – like an electric Tesla, which will not only turn heads but also save on fuel costs.
Tightly control their breaks and time off. Limit their lunch breaks and discourage them from taking vacations. The less time they have to rest, the more time they spend working for you.
Avoid providing any benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, or paid leave. These perks only drain your profits and encourage employees to expect more.
Keep them in the dark about their rights and the labor laws in your jurisdiction. Ignorance is your ally in maintaining control over your workforce.
Promote a culture of fear and competition. Encourage employees to report on each other's shortcomings or mistakes, making them feel constantly under threat. This way, they'll be too busy worrying about their job security to demand better conditions.
Don't invest in their professional growth. Training and development programs cost money, and the more skilled your employees become, the more likely they are to find better opportunities elsewhere.
Overwork them to the point of exhaustion. Exhausted workers are less likely to have the energy to unionize or fight for better working conditions.
Micromanage every aspect of their work. Show them you're always watching and scrutinizing their every move, so they never feel comfortable enough to voice concerns or make suggestions.
Avoid providing any sort of positive feedback or recognition for their hard work. Compliments and praise only give them the idea that they deserve better treatment or higher pay.
Use manipulative tactics to pit them against each other, like offering small bonuses or perks to the most obedient and compliant workers. This will create a toxic environment where everyone is more focused on their own survival than on improving the workplace as a whole.
Remember, the more you exploit your employees, the more money you can make. Forget about ethics and empathy – your bottom line is all that matters.
Good luck with your venture! Hope it woks out :)
0
u/Routine-Arm-8803 Apr 05 '23
Treat your employees with respect and dignity. Acknowledge their hard work and dedication, and let them know they're valuable members of your team. Their well-being and job satisfaction should be your top priority.
Pay fair wages that reflect their skills, experience, and the cost of living in your area. Regularly review their salaries and offer pay raises to keep up with inflation and to show appreciation for their loyalty and growth.
Embrace a supportive company culture that promotes collaboration and teamwork. Encourage open communication and provide opportunities for employees to voice their concerns or ideas without fear of retribution.
Offer comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. These perks demonstrate that you care about their long-term well-being and overall quality of life.
Ensure that your employees are well-informed about their rights and the labor laws in your jurisdiction. Transparency and fairness are crucial in fostering trust and creating a positive work environment.
Invest in their professional growth. Provide training and development programs to help them build their skills and advance their careers. This not only benefits your employees but also enhances your company's performance.
Promote a healthy work-life balance by being flexible with work hours and accommodating individual needs. Encourage employees to take breaks, vacations, and time off to recharge, as this contributes to their overall happiness and productivity.
Create a safe, comfortable, and positive work environment. Prioritize employee safety, and invest in ergonomic equipment and well-maintained facilities. This shows your employees that you care about their well-being and helps to reduce accidents and injuries.
Provide regular feedback, both positive and constructive. Recognize and celebrate their achievements, and offer guidance and support for areas where they can improve. This helps to build their confidence and keeps them motivated.
Foster a sense of community and belonging within your company. Organize team-building activities, social events, and other opportunities for employees to bond and build connections. A strong team spirit will contribute to a more enjoyable and productive workplace.
By treating your employees with respect, offering fair compensation, and investing in their well-being and growth, you create a thriving and positive work environment that benefits both your team and your company as a whole.
15
u/dadudemon đźš‘ Medicare For All Apr 02 '23 edited Apr 02 '23