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My worker family projects

2/13/17       
AA

Hi
Thank you in advance I always find the most helpful and informative advice hear.
I have a two men shop ( me and my helper) , I have a situation with my worker at shop who know and run all my machinery cnc and Edgebander etc, he is reliable and working with me for almost a year.
He wanted to build two projects one for him and the other for a family member he told me he will not charge his family member anything. and he offered to pay me the materials which we have it on shop
Each project between 8 to 10 sheets of material plus tape and some hardware.
Now, I did not want to deny his request because it may result on hard feelings and as you know I am trying to keep him longer.
I always talking to him as how it is very hard to keep this place running to guarantee his 40 hrs per week and paying all overhead insurance, utilities, advertising and all Machinery expenses
but what would you do if you are in my position.

2/13/17       #2: My worker family projects ...
David Yurk  Member

Website: http://www.crockettscabinetry.com

As a benefit of working at our shop, I give staff the opportunity to use the shop for personal projects only, but on their own time. Materials are provided at cost. They get the benefit of access to the facility and materials and the company doesn't incur the cost of non-income producing activity during scheduled hours.

2/13/17       #3: My worker family projects ...
AA

Ok thanks
I guess it is so generous but should have some limits, right?
Thank you for your quick reply.

2/13/17       #4: My worker family projects ...
Bill

We have done the same for years and not had a problem. People really appreciate it.

If they want to start making money that is another story.

2/13/17       #5: My worker family projects ...
Bruce H

I wouldn't do it for a ten sheet project. something small maybe. I would be willing to run it during business hours at a discount but only for personal use not a relative. Too many issues if something happens. You might consider cut, band and drill. From there he takes it home.

2/13/17       #6: My worker family projects ...
chipbored

Your a small shop and it's a good way to say thankyou to your guy for his dedication. It's also a fantastic way to show him how hard business is, He'll be running his own job and probably learn a few hard lessons if he makes a mistake.

Absolutely set some guidelines and add just a small percent onto what you charge for materials to cover load/offload and delivery charges ect.

Consider what would happen if this became a regular thing. You would want some notice as to when he wants to use the facility. You would want it to work into your schedule, If you are flat out busy you want him doing overtime for you and not burning himself out working till 2 in the morning on his own projects. If he gets a taste for it and wants to do profitable jobs in the future set a guideline. Anything over x amount of sheets gets put through the business to manufacture and he takes it away and installs it himself.

Make sure he understands it is a privilege and not a right and that once he finishes his wok after hours the shop should be left cleaner than he found it! You should also come up with a figure that you would charge someone your not "looking after" as an hourly rate to use the facilities.

I also think you should suggest to him that he charges the friend a little something to make a profit. This way you can let him know that even thought it is hard for you to support him and pay his wage every week you wan't him to prosper also so letting him use the facilities is a way for you to let him earn a few extra dollars. He could use the factory hourly rate as a guide to what he should charge.

This might sound harsh, but first and foremost be his BOSS. This is purely a motivational tool to make him feel appreciated and cared for. BOSS first, friends later.

2/14/17       #7: My worker family projects ...
AA

thank you chipbored for your input, it is really great response, management is a skill and most of cabinet makers are not a great managers and I am one of them, I really want to help him to show my appreciation, but as you said he has to know it is a privilege not a right.
as any one hear at this forum we are wearing a lots of hats and we have a lot on our plate every day running to make ends meet and the last thing we worry about is getting some attitude if his request got denied for some reasons.
end of the day i am not a fan for it but I will give it a shot since I never employed someone before.
Thank you for the awesome response every one.

2/14/17       #8: My worker family projects ...
B.H. Davis Member

I've always let our employees use the shop after hours. It is one of the benefits we provide and a thank you for their work and dedication to our business projects.

I've even let them use the shop for projects where they are making money on the side. They appreciate the opportunity and will typically go out of their way to make sure their project never gets in the way of business.

It's really no different than providing any other benefit such as health insurance, 401k plans, personal days etc.

BH Davis

2/14/17       #9: My worker family projects ...
Larry

We allow employees to make things for themselves as long as it doesn't interfere with production. We found it was desirable to put a time limit on how long a project could be in the shop. Some were dragged out way too long, taking up shop space.


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