View Full Version : To have employees ... or not
I am an owner/operator of a plumbing company. I suspect that most people on this site, as myself, are very conscientious about their work and customer service.
I am considering expanding and would like to get firsthand experiences from others who have done the same. I work like a dog, however, like the fact that the work is performed correctly and I don't need to worry about slow periods, absences, etc. However, I am getting tired and would like to start becoming more of a manager / boss ... it is the transition I am afraid of.
I've bumped into many others in the trade who tell me, "you got to get some help", in which I respond "yeah, you're right". I now am starting to loose some work, however, I can be a little more choosey or raise the job price slightly in busy periods. It is very difficult for me to calculate the net benefit if someone else was on the payroll or the headaches I would encounter for that gain.
What do you suggest, a helper?, an apprentice that you can train? A Journeyman who's up to speed but who may have some bad habits?
I sure appreciate your feedback.
nhmaster
09-01-2008, 05:56 AM
Without employees your business can never expand past what you can accomplish by yourself in a day.
The problem is finding honest, competent, reliable help.
Anyone who's is as good as you will most likely be working on their own like you.
If the HELP is not trained already, he will be of little benefit, but a big expense, until it does happen. One employee is not going to generate the same income as you do so you will not be a full time"boss" for quite a while until you get additional help. Even the best employee will probably not work as hard as you do, and definitely not the same hours.
master plumber mark
09-01-2008, 06:11 AM
I have ranted and raved here on this subject before.
you put an ad in the paper and you dont know
what is going to walk through your door....
You end up becomming a slave to your employees
with constant troubles rangeing from benefits to higher
wages than you yourself presently make , to giving them a
truck to drive so that they can steal from you to having to constantly drug test them .....................
of course they probably falsified the employment application...
but you can still try to get info on them by simply calling
around town and asking if this fellow ever worked anywhere
that is not on his app......
My suggestion is
Put an ad on Craigs list for apprentices..
find someone about 20 grateful to learn the business
from you and have trade taught to him .
treat them good and they will certianly speed your day along.........
you will have to probably repeat this procedure every 5 years
cause once they get their lisc, they always moved on ..usually
calling me a SOB as they left.......
Anything is better than some "journeyman" that feels "entitled" to
every perk in the book cause he has a journeymans lisc.
just tell them to go to work at the local UNION...
or because they think that they are so good.....Go plumb the next Space Shuttle....
you will be much better off.
One employee is not going to generate the same income as you do so you will not be a full time"boss" for quite a while until you get additional help.
I would imamagine your income goes backward after the first 1-2 employees. Do you have experience or are you aware of the "breakeven point" of making the same money you were making by yourself vs. the number of employees necessary to be on the payroll?
jimbo
09-01-2008, 06:39 AM
First thing is that the problem faced by any company...from one employee to General Motors....is employee motivation and morale. They are on *** many dollars per hour, and what the hell do they care if the job gets done sooner or later? If you are lucky, you find someone who does have some work ethic and will give you an honest days work. But bottom line is we are all humans, and respond to carrot and stick. If the carrot is sweet enough, that helps. The stick only works for a little while, since it pisses people off and they can leave!
Employees don't have an ownership interest. They do not look far enough into the future to realize that doing an excellent job today will pay off far in the future with repeat customers, or to see that the repeat business will not only benefit the company, but will help keep them employed!
There are incentive methods like commission structure. That is another whole debate which could become another world-record thread like the "Union" thread now running! Bottom line, one of your challenges as a business owner is to motivate employees to do consistenly good work, and if you're lucky they will occasionally do the excellent work which is your standard!
Welcome to Boss-dom. It's a whole new world, baby!
You end up becomming a slave to your employees
with constant troubles rangeing from benefits to higher
wages than you yourself presently make , to giving them a
truck to drive so that they can steal from you to having to constantly drug test them .....................
I am not surprised by this comment and why I have been relunctant.
My suggestion is
Put an ad on Craigs list for apprentices..
Well this is a creative thought ... how many responces have you received in the past doing this?
you will have to probably repeat this procedure every 5 years
cause once they get their lisc, they always moved on ..usually
calling me a SOB as they left.......
Have you ever thought about or tried a bonus plan to encourage them to stay?
Anything is better than some "journeyman" that feels "entitled" to
every perk in the book cause he has a journeymans lisc.
So all the aggrevation of training and necessary paper associated with an apprentice is still easier / more cost effective in you opinion than a journeyman? That is interesting.
If you are lucky, you find someone who does have some work ethic and will give you an honest days work. But bottom line is we are all humans, and respond to carrot and stick. If the carrot is sweet enough, that helps. The stick only works for a little while, since it pisses people off and they can leave!
I agree with you, human nature as it is responds much better to motivation. Have you any experience with some kind of bonus plan?
master plumber mark
09-01-2008, 07:01 AM
I was very surprised how many apps
I got from Craigs list....I put in an add and within
2 hours I got a call..... Probably got about 30 alltogether..
The add stated I would send them through the apprentice program
and train them in all aspects of plumbing....
The good thing about Craigs list is they have to at least
have access to a computor ....and know how to work one..
therefore I can deduce that they can read and write..
(elementary my dear Watson)..
with the newspaper, you must pay $$ for the ad and then any
drunk or someone just getting out of the county jail can pick
that paper out of the trash.---and be knocking at your door tomorrow.
with a sob story.......
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
As far as a bonus plan or incentive.....I have tried them all....
they will stay with you till you give out the x-mas bonus then leave,,,,
It dont matter what you give them , eventually they hit
that "glass ceiling" where they cant go higher....
Now...Their are companies in our town that pay their
employees a base pay and everything else is on "comissioin"
so whatever they can gouge the customer for , you split half with them.....
If you dont mind them gougeing some blind little old lady
in your plumbing truck....and you can sleep ok knowing
what they are doing....then it will work out ok
till the BBB or some TV reporter comes knocking at your door...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
two apprentices learning the trade and going to school
each makeing 13 bucks an hour are better than one
ungrateful journeyman that thinks everything is
"beneath his talents"...
again ......tell him to go plumb the space shuttle...
or kick back at the Unioin...
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nhmaster
09-01-2008, 08:08 AM
Few things in life will trigger a migrane faster than hiring employees. I figure about 1 in 20 are worth keeping.
Ladiesman271
09-01-2008, 08:49 AM
Few things in life will trigger a migrane faster than hiring employees. I figure about 1 in 20 are worth keeping.
Homeowners also get migranes from those same employees (about 19 in 20). Maybe that is why there is a big DIY market for simple "plumbing" work. What is so hard about changing out a sink and faucet, new toilet, garbage disposal (or similar basic "plumbing" project)?
Ladiesman271
09-01-2008, 08:52 AM
Now...Their are companies in our town that pay their
employees a base pay and everything else is on "comissioin"
so whatever they can gouge the customer for , you split half with them.....
If you dont mind them gougeing some blind little old lady
in your plumbing truck....and you can sleep ok knowing
what they are doing....then it will work out ok
till the BBB or some TV reporter comes knocking at your door...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That same scenario is not limited to "plumbers"!
nhmaster
09-01-2008, 08:59 AM
Homeowners also get migranes from those same employees (about 19 in 20). Maybe that is why there is a big DIY market for simple "plumbing" work. What is so hard about changing out a sink and faucet, new toilet, garbage disposal (or similar basic "plumbing" project)?
There's nothing hard about it. We're all overpaid, pompus, self serving idiots just trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Plumbing is the best kept secret ever. Anyone can do it, We can Help 1,2,3, :D
Now...Their are companies in our town that pay their
employees a base pay and everything else is on "comissioin"
so whatever they can gouge the customer for , you split half with them.....
If you dont mind them gougeing some blind little old lady
in your plumbing truck....and you can sleep ok knowing
what they are doing....then it will work out ok
This is not what I had in mind and will only encourage fraud / ripping off the customer. Any business model that depends on commission usually is not in the customer's best interest and will backfire.
I was thinking of a plan that somehow captures installation time, quality / cleanliness at the jobsite, monitoring of callbacks, positive feedback from customer, etc. Not sure how it would be administered
master plumber mark
09-01-2008, 11:24 AM
This is not what I had in mind and will only encourage fraud / ripping off the customer. Any business model that depends on commission usually is not in the customer's best interest and will backfire.
I was thinking of a plan that somehow captures installation time, quality / cleanliness at the jobsite, monitoring of callbacks, positive feedback from customer, etc. Not sure how it would be administered
99k.. that is the point I am trying to make....
the only way you can win is to make
a deal with the devil and let them steal everyone
blind.........its the only way to make them happy......
Or YOU have to be the fellow that has to administer this
bonus plan or incentive plan to get your drunken idiots to
clean up their act......
It all becomes a can of worms after a while ,,
basically with you running around chaseing your tail,
YOU trying to make idiots produce.......
Eventually you become their slave or their fool thinking you actually are
going to get them to help you grow your business...
like picking them up for work when their car breaks down..
cause you really need them that day....
The Really Big trouble starts when the idiots realize that
you need them to pay for all the ADVERTISEING you have
contracted for this year........to help build up the business,
they they usually ask for a large raise....
and then you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
and you have to give it to them or start over and train new monkees.
.....yellow pages really dont care about your problems....
.they still want their cut.
I decided to fire them all and just paid the advertiseing bills for
only about 5 months more till they
were through , .....grin and bear it ......., or so I thought...
actually, to my surprise, it all worked out great...
no payroll, no SS payments, no Withholding,
no idiot losers to worry wether they were going to be sick
today or not.. .... no headaches....
and I realized I did better that year anyway without all
the aggravation. I paid yellow pages and still did very well..
and I did not have to spend endless hours finding and bidding crappy work
to keep all the ungratgeful idiot employees busy that week either.......
You should really pay me for this lesson in the
school of hard knocks...
I take master card and visa....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I decided to fire them all and just paid the advertiseing bills for
only about 5 months more till they
were through , .....grin and bear it ......., or so I thought...
actually, to my surprise, it all worked out great...
no payroll, no SS payments, no Withholding,
no idiot losers to worry wether they were going to be sick
today or not.. .... no headaches....
and I realized I did better that year anyway without all
the aggravation. I paid yellow pages and still did very well..
and I did not have to spend endless hours finding and bidding crappy work
So I take it you're back to being an owner/operator:D This is why I started this thread ... I have heard over and over from different owners and in different businesses who ramped up to 7 or 10 or even 20 employees and are now by themselves again. In each instance they complained the stress was huge with little or no financial gain.
One of the reasons I got out of industry and started my own business was to get away from the Bulls**t, however, it is a delimma in that earnings are tied to my production.
You should really pay me for this lesson in the
school of hard knocks...
I take master card and visa....
Check is in the mail:D (you never heard that did you)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/QUOTE]
master plumber mark
09-01-2008, 02:08 PM
[quote=99k;154701]So I take it you're back to being an owner/operator:D This is why I started this thread ... I have heard over and over from different owners and in different businesses who ramped up to 7 or 10 or even 20 employees and are now by themselves again.
In each instance they complained the stress was huge with little or no financial gain. One of the reasons I got out of industry and started my own business was to get away from the Bulls**t, however, it is a delimma in that earnings are tied to my production.
I watched a flood and disaster restoration place
go from small to very large then to out of business before..
and a couple of plumbing companies in town just impolded
recently too....
you are depending on people that could care less about
anything but a paycheck.. and everntually these parasites will
drain you dry.......
finding someone that does care is not the way of things....
eventually they will start their own business...
you can make out very well by yourself..
or with just a couple of grunts in tow...
the real money is in the service end of the industry
not in the construction, or commercial, and
not in the re-model end either...
of course you have to find this out for yourself
or you can save yourself tons of greif
and buy my new ..... E-book... for only 19.95
its called "my life in shit".
the trials and tribulations of a small family owned
business owner....
I take master card, visa and pay pal too
,
The one thing that has worked great for me was to make alliances with other owner/operators. I have / had a Master Plumber owner/operator who I would team up with on larger jobs. His work ethic and quality was fantastic, respectful of my customer, and very responsible. Sure I made less profit, however, I didn't have to have him on my books, SS, workman's comp., etc. One problem though ... once everyone started to figure out how great he was, his availability become nill. I am very happy for him but that was a nice way for me to grow without the hastles. Now I'm back to square one.
master plumber mark
09-02-2008, 12:11 PM
I have heard that you can also hire plumbers from
the local man power places around town.....
for about 18 to 25 per hour.....
they show up and you use them for as long as you wish,
you dont pay for SS or withholding, or any benefits
or insurance either, that all is paid by manpower..
and when you are through with them you let them
go back to the manpower place...or keep them for as long
as you want to
they cant file for un-employment on you either....
If you hire an apprentice, unless you go the route of the rooter companies and create 6 week wonders, he is going to be a liability for a long time, because YOU will still have to do all the work, while he rides around with you seeing how you do it. And since he is not doing anything productive, you cannot put his time on your invoice. Once he does become productive, you will have to furnish a fully stocked vehicle and double your gas and maintenance bills. Normally, your workload has to be well beyond what you can do yourself before it justifies an additional worker. The normal route, if you already have employees, is to start paying them overtime to take up the excess until there is enough demand to warrant the additional cost of adding an employee.
If you hire an apprentice, unless you go the route of the rooter companies and create 6 week wonders, he is going to be a liability for a long time, because YOU will still have to do all the work, while he rides around with you seeing how you do it. And since he is not doing anything productive, you cannot put his time on your invoice.
You would surprised how little an apprentice is paid and how much is invoiced to the customer. I had one guy trying to charge me 2X the hours when he brought his apprentice ... and the space was so tight only one was working
Normally, your workload has to be well beyond what you can do yourself before it justifies an additional worker. The normal route, if you already have employees, is to start paying them overtime to take up the excess until there
Herein lies the problem, the guy doing all the overtime is myself. I imagine getting the first employee is the most difficult. I met another plumber at a jobsite who would just use a helper (not an apprentice) ... cheaper I guess and a lot less demand on his time.
nhmaster
09-02-2008, 04:59 PM
Once you make the decision to grow your business, things will change forever. Some for the better, some for worse. There is no doubt that employees add a whole new dimension to the way you not only conduct business, but also the way you think about business. Suddenly time, or more accurately, billing time, takes on a whole new meaning. Employees, good ones can make your business grow beyond your imagination. Bad one's can give you a bad reputation in a very short time. The trick for me is to never get too close to them. You can not be objective when your employee is a friend. Stay out of their personal business. I just flat don't want to hear about their personal problems any more than they want to hear about mine. Employees are there to make the company money. If they are not producing, they gotta go. Treat them with respect and reward initiative and with luck they will be productive for many years.
master plumber mark
09-02-2008, 05:33 PM
Suddenly time, or more accurately, billing time, takes on a whole new meaning. Employees, good ones can make your business grow beyond your imagination. Bad one's can give you a bad reputation in a very short time. The trick for me is to never get too close to them. You can not be objective when your employee is a friend. Stay out of their personal business. I just flat don't want to hear about their personal problems any more than they want to hear about mine. .
Very well put
you have to be cold as ice...
because 95% of everything
that comes out of their mouths are fabrications tall tales and lies.
basically to get you to feel sorry for them, give them more money,
understand why they need the rest of the week off.....
I have heard it all...
Dunbar Plumbing
09-02-2008, 05:46 PM
If you hire an apprentice, unless you go the route of the rooter companies and create 6 week wonders, he is going to be a liability for a long time, because YOU will still have to do all the work, while he rides around with you seeing how you do it. And since he is not doing anything productive, you cannot put his time on your invoice. Once he does become productive, you will have to furnish a fully stocked vehicle and double your gas and maintenance bills. Normally, your workload has to be well beyond what you can do yourself before it justifies an additional worker. The normal route, if you already have employees, is to start paying them overtime to take up the excess until there is enough demand to warrant the additional cost of adding an employee.
That above is the number one reason why I've never committed to hiring anyone.
It's just too expensive nowadays to carry driftwood.
Master Plumber 101
09-02-2008, 09:10 PM
That above is the number one reason why I've never committed to hiring anyone.
It's just too expensive nowadays to carry driftwood.
Keep creating job's and expanding the economy. Your a true entrepreneur.5331
Master Plumber 101
09-02-2008, 09:18 PM
Hmmm people like you in the job pool should be sufficient to scare any business owner from expanding...
It would probably take years to get over the bad reputation your style of plumbing would cause.
Go drown in your pool or something.
master plumber mark
09-03-2008, 04:16 AM
Keep creating job's and expanding the economy. Your a true entrepreneur.5331
Actuallly until you have run your own business, you really
dont know what in the hell you are talking about....
Cutting grass as a side job ....while you are sitting on the
bench waiting for the next union job to come up is not the
same as haveing to be the one responsible for everything. .... every day......
I doubt you have ever skipped a mandatory mid-morning
break,
I doubt you have ever totally skipped lunch either
to get the job done and move on to the next one...
the tools hit the ground exactly at high noon....
no..... make that 10 till noon...
and you dont start back up again till the clock says so.
or you are done with that last drag on the cigarette.....
grumbling and moaning about your benefit package
all the way back to the crime scene....
that is probably why Rugged does not want to hire
it makes sense to me
You would surprised how little an apprentice is paid and how much is invoiced to the customer. I had one guy trying to charge me 2X the hours when he brought his apprentice
When I made my original comment, I was referring to an ethical plumber who would only charge for the helper/apprentice if the job actually required a second person. Not one charging for someone he was just transporting around all day long. That is done by the big Yellow trucks that always have two people in them.
Cookie
09-03-2008, 07:57 AM
You should really take your argument private.
Wow....some of you guys are pretty brutal. I've only got six employees (not plumbing however) and couldn't run my business nearly as well or profitably without them. I've only hired one new person recently but the rest have worked for me ten or more years. To get licensed (necessary in my field) takes 80 hours classroom time and a state test, but about two years to really get up to speed and be productive (read profitable) When hiring a new employee I usually let them ferment for about three months or so just to see if they really want to do the job and like the enviroment. If they like it, I pay for the schooling, room and board while attending, and the associated costs of getting a license. After that, it's just learning the ropes.
My employees, having to deal with the public, do have to put up with a lot of guff at times. It goes with the territory. I insist they maintain a professional attitude and be courteous to all clients. That said, NOBODY is required to listen to foul language or tolerate hot tempers....those cases come directly to me and if I can't get them to calm down and discuss whatever their issue might be then they can take a long walk of a short pier.
Are employees expensive? You bet!! Ouside of the government mandated taxes, fees, etc., providing decent health insurance is pretty danged costly (and it's something nobody sees on their paycheck so it largely goes under appreciated as compensation) As an employer, I get less time off in the sense of taking continous time off (like the two week vacation time I provide with full pay) and when things aren't going well am also the first in line to get reduced pay if necessary to get through the lean times.
All in all....I wouldn't change a thing:)
Mort
master plumber mark
09-03-2008, 12:38 PM
Mort. I fondly remember those days....
had about 7 employees at one time, but with one
then another, then another retireing, it degraded quickly into troubles..
the good guys watched my back for me...and made sure that the others stayed in line.....
If you have a couple of good guys , good for you...
Enjoy the moment....maybe if you are lucky ,,,
you will retire before any of them do...........
Master Plumber 101
09-03-2008, 01:28 PM
Actuallly until you have run your own business, you really
dont know what in the hell you are talking about....
Cutting grass as a side job ....while you are sitting on the
bench waiting for the next union job to come up is not the
same as haveing to be the one responsible for everything. .... every day......
I doubt you have ever skipped a mandatory mid-morning
break,
I doubt you have ever totally skipped lunch either
to get the job done and move on to the next one...
the tools hit the ground exactly at high noon....
no..... make that 10 till noon...
and you dont start back up again till the clock says so.
or you are done with that last drag on the cigarette.....
grumbling and moaning about your benefit package
all the way back to the crime scene....
that is probably why Rugged does not want to hire
it makes sense to me
Never had to cut grass while sitting on the bench..never been layed off. How would you do that any how?It's hard to cut grass and sit on a bench.:rolleyes:I choose not to run a bussiness because my family is more important. I have my Master's just in case, but I probably will never do it. Also who can afford the outrageous cost of healthcare. Maybe if our politician's can provide it's citizen's with the same healthcare they get I'll think about it.
Quit saying 10:00 break, it's 9:30, get it right already.I have skipped break and lunch a number of time's because I wanted to get the job done. In the end you can't make the boss money when your tired and hungry. Believe it or not people need food to survive. When you ran your buissness did you tell your employee's you better not take a lunch or your fired?..wait you probably did.
I don't smoke. It cause's cancer you know. So no cancer stick's for me.:eek:
I don't grumble what I get cause there is nothing to grumble about. I'm compansated fairly, that's why i joined a union.
So next time don't presume you know people when your completely clueless.:cool:
Mort. I fondly remember those days....
had about 7 employees at one time, but with one
then another, then another retireing, it degraded quickly into troubles..
the good guys watched my back for me...and made sure that the others stayed in line.....
If you have a couple of good guys , good for you...
Enjoy the moment....maybe if you are lucky ,,,
you will retire before any of them do...........
I hear that. Made it 24 years (so far) and have had a few retirees and such over that time but have been fortunate enough (or maybe it's good management skills ;)) to find good people as replacements. Had more employees in the past when it seemed like a good idea to "grow" the business but it didn't turn out to be such a good idea afterall. Being a bigger business, at times, was like having a target painted on my back.
Mort
nhmaster
09-03-2008, 06:28 PM
You should really take your argument private.
Where's the fun it that.? :D
Cookie
09-03-2008, 07:51 PM
"No one expects you to agree with everything," quoting the words of, Palin, from the Republican National Convention, " but, it (disagreements) should be done with integrity and goodwill." Makes sense to me.
master plumber mark
09-03-2008, 08:32 PM
So next time don't presume you know people when your completely clueless.:cool:
I dont presume anything about you....
I think that everyone here has got your number already..
considering half the people have you on their ignore list...
you are a real ....."tool" .....pal
kingsotall
09-03-2008, 09:01 PM
bussiness because my family is more important. I have my Master's just in case, but I probably will never do it. Also who can afford the outrageous cost of healthcare. Maybe if our politician's can provide it's citizen's with the same healthcare they get I'll think about it.
Quit saying 10:00 break, it's 9:30, get it right already.I have skipped break and lunch a number of time's because I wanted to get the job done. In the end you can't make the boss money when your tired and hungry. Believe it or not people need food to survive. When you ran your buissness did you tell your employee's you better not take a lunch or your fired?..wait you probably did.
I don't smoke. It cause's cancer you know. So no cancer stick's for me.:eek:
I don't grumble what I get cause there is nothing to grumble about. I'm compansated fairly, that's why i joined a union.
So next time don't presume you know people when your completely clueless.:cool:
Master's¿
:p
btw, I'm sure I missed more punctuation errors in that post but it got to be a little overwhelming! :p
kingsotall
09-04-2008, 06:17 AM
I choose not to run a bussiness because my family is more important. I have my Master's just in case, but I probably will never do it. Also who can afford the outrageous cost of healthcare. Maybe if our politician's can provide it's citizen's with the same healthcare they get I'll think about it.
Quit saying 10:00 break, it's 9:30, get it right already.I have skipped break and lunch a number of time's because I wanted to get the job done. In the end you can't make the boss money when your tired and hungry. Believe it or not people need food to survive. When you ran your buissness did you tell your employee's you better not take a lunch or your fired?..wait you probably did.
I don't smoke. It cause's cancer you know. So no cancer stick's for me.:eek:
I don't grumble what I get cause there is nothing to grumble about. I'm [B]compansated]/B] fairly, that's why i joined a union.
So next time don't presume you know people when your completely clueless.:cool:
A Master's huh¿ :rolleyes:
Maybe if our politician's can provide it's citizen's with the same health care they get I'll think about it.
You mis spoke there...
Politicians can't provide health care...They can't provide anything...They reach into the pockets of tax payers and take our $$$ so we can provide it for every one. They know best. Yeah Right.
Hmmmm. take our money so they can create a money sucking bureaucracy that inflates the costs and lowers the quality of health care.
It will be a corporate boost if they provide health care for every one and the corps. can drop what they offer, and I bet the politicians have a different plan for themselves.
Master Plumber 101
09-04-2008, 07:25 AM
You mis spoke there...
Politicians can't provide health care...They can't provide anything...They reach into the pockets of tax payers and take our $$$ so we can provide it for every one. They know best. Yeah Right.
Hmmmm. take our money so they can create a money sucking bureaucracy that inflates the costs and lowers the quality of health care.
It will be a corporate boost if they provide health care for every one and the corps. can drop what they offer, and I bet the politicians have a different plan for themselves.
They are gonna take it regardless so may as well use it for it's people. A healthy nation is a strong nation. Are we healthy?
Cookie
09-04-2008, 08:12 AM
Does anyone have the solution?
Master Plumber 101
09-04-2008, 10:46 AM
Does anyone have the solution?
Cookie, I'm afraid not. We had 6yrs with a Republican congress and president and N O T H I N G I mean nothing was done. They all bashed McCain and now he is God!They bash Hillary cause she is a liberal and said women can't run for prez cause there to emotional, but yet a Moose hunting christian conservitve is on the ticket for VP, it's ok! Double standards at it's best.(for both side's)
Cookie
09-04-2008, 01:14 PM
I want more selections. :)
I have never understood why the sex of a person has made any difference in anything other than physically having children. I mean, you got to have the right bits and pieces to do that; but, for anything else it never made a difference to me. Women I guess are more emotional being our hormones in our bodies sometimes dictates that; but, we are learning that men's hormones can do that too, to a certain extent. My only concern about having a woman president is in military strategics. Time has to move on more, where we raise our sons and daughters to think alike, to play alike when little in order to make that equal for the most part. Boys play with GI Joes, girls play with Barbie's. Now, if they develop a Barbie dressed in Camo and toting a gun instead of a handbag that might create a new way of bridging the sexes mentality. If you get what I am saying. Now, if she were to become president she would need to rely on someone heavily, for this and I am afraid, that person/s would be calling all the shots. I am not sure this is good for the country. But, I might be wrong, too.
If women raised the men, (babies) for the most part and these men became our presidents then, I reckon women could do the job, too in making our nation strong, like we did our sons, ( and daughters.)
It is amusing to me, how people always have the solutions when, the greatest thinkers of our times didn't. Imagine, how hard it is to keep everything together at home, kids, house, money; imagine, calling the shots for an entire nation of homes, people, jobs, money, everyone's future. It has to be overwhelming.
People complain so easily. They use harder routes in life thinking, their are easier ones. Take for example this thread about whether or not to hire employees. Sometimes, you got to be honest about things you don't want to be. If for instance, my kid doesn't listen to me over and over, and, then the next kid does the same thing, I could easily say, or scream, " MY KIDS DON'T LISTEN TO ME NO MATTER WHAT I DO, THEY ARE ROTTEN TO THE CORE!" Or: I might want to consider it is my parenting skills. Maybe, I am wrong, it could be the kids, but, it should be considered.
Perhaps, this same principal could be applied to employees. Sure, you ain't raising them, sure they ain't yer kids, but, they are under your supervision. Sometimes, to have good kids you got to be a good parent; to have good employees you got to be a good employer. Maybe, in truth, it might be, ( I could be wrong) it could be as simple as that.
If a person's business is such an employer would benefit from it, that is the easier route. That said, it is also only fair to say, " nothing worth having comes easy."
Master Plumber 101
09-04-2008, 02:11 PM
A Master's huh¿ :rolleyes:
YA! huh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nhmaster
09-04-2008, 02:41 PM
Letting the government run health care would be like letting the monkeys run the zoo. These idiots can't even run their own cafateria without loosing a couple million a year. What makes anyone think they would do a better job with health care.
Cookie
09-04-2008, 03:02 PM
Yeah, but what is the solution? Do you do nothing? Or try nothing?
What is the solution for healthcare?
It is essential that everyone has it.
Did you ever notice how much the govn pays for things? ie, toilet seat, coffee-maker, etc.
Remember, we elect/hire the people who " work" for us. Whether in the govn or our small business, it is our chosing, our decision. If something is not right, if we feel we were failed, we have only ourselves to blame. We must choose better.
nhmaster
09-04-2008, 03:17 PM
I don't get too thrilled with the re-distribution of wealth notion. I'd just as soon keep what I earn. I have very good health insurance and I pay for it, just like I pay for my car insurance. If you live in a state where automobile insurance is manditory and you can't afford it what do you do? Stop driving ? Demand the government pay because you can not. Where does it all end? It's like that idiot congresswoman saying the government should take over the oil companies because they make obscene profits. Ok they do so let's take them over and while we're at it, Wal-Mart is making pretty good coin so let's take them too and how about Micro-Soft and where does it end? Like it or not we do not live in a socialist or Markist society. We live in a capitolist nation and it has worked very very well for a couple hundred years now.
Cookie
09-04-2008, 03:48 PM
I was paying 800 a month for 3 years after my husband died for health insurance. It was a Highmark Guaranteed insurance not Cobra. Cobra was a thousand.
You really don't keep what you earn ever. Not if you want to eat, have a house to live in, keep the car in your driveway, the fuel in it, your body running as good as your car, or you want your kids to be educated.
It is always dictated by someone else or something else. You don't dictate the price of milk being sold in the store, or the cost of your children's education or even the price of the car you bought or the insurance you are paying for it. It is dictated to you.
If you want that car, the gallon of milk, you hand over what they want to give it to you for. Sure, you can say, " I won't buy that car or any car, I don't need milk, or a house to live in" but, the truth is, we all know we all want those things, or close to it. We want to be able to go to the doctors and know, if something is wrong it is not going to cost us our first born.
I think the sooner people realize that we are in this ( life) together the sooner things will change. When you pay your car insurance it is based on other drivers, the same with most things, not all things, but most or alot. Our lives in general depend on others. If we go to the hospital others will fix us, fix our cars, sell us that house ( I got my license now call me) like who said, this, Hemmingway? " No man is an island."
I would like to see people care more about others instead of letting greed win out.
...and, yes, to your question,
you do stop driving. My state mandates that by taking your plates.
Maybe, the Congresswoman was right, maybe, she was wrong. But, she is looking for a solution. My question as stated, do you have a solution?
nhmaster
09-04-2008, 04:09 PM
I don't really see a problem. Back in your post you said "we all want" well if there is a problem, that is probably the biggest part of it. We all want. Big screen TV's, I pods, computers new cars, nice houses boats, snow mobiles 4 wheelers. And we're more than willing to buy these things and put ourselves in credit jeopardy simply because " We Want" Our fathers wanted too. But the waited and saved and made sound financial decisions so that they and their children could "have" No one has that kind of patience any more. We want it and we want it now. And worse yet, there are those that willingly put their 4 wheeler or 40 thousand dollar pick-up truck above health and dentil care for their families. It's amazing how many section 8 housing families somehow can't manage to pay the bills but they all have big screen plasma tv's, a new computer, x box, all the toys and a fridge full of beer. I used to see it daily because my company had the city contract to work the projects. There are many many fathers and mothers who's Friday night priority is to score a bag of weed and let the welfare buy the cheese and similac for the kid. It's all about personal responsibility and the liberal congresse's desire to take care of everyone.
Cookie
09-04-2008, 04:38 PM
My fault. I should had been clear in saying, the basic things in life. A home, a car, education, not meaning to imply, a mansion, a Lexus, going to Harvard.
I mentioned what I paid for healthcare for a reason. Sometimes, people don't realize what it can cost. I noticed that Palin mentioned that if elected, we will have an advocate in the White House for special needs kids.
Unless, you have a kid with special needs or you are in the field, her statement may not mean much to you, or may even sadly, anger you. You will think, " there goes the money."
I like the word, us, we, you, rather than always " I". Somehow, I always notice in what people write how many times they use it.
I don't think our state gives out welfare cheese anymore. My aunt used to get it, she choose unwisely, a husband who left her with 4 kids she raised on her own. She didn't smoke dope, she didn't have cable, she had a black and white tv with a set of rabbit ears. She lived in a section 8. None -of -whatever she got each month until, her children were grown did my uncle ever see. Her children grew up to be good people, none of which are on welfare. My one cousin works for the state removing asbestoses from schools and city buildings. ( removing it for free for people in need) My aunt worked until, the day she died, getting off welfare when the kids were grown and she cleaned houses. She was a remarkable woman.
My mom used to have an expression that I have used with my own kids at times, " jelly on the nose."
nhmaster
09-04-2008, 04:54 PM
I am very much in touch with special needs for a couple reasons. One, as a high school teacher we deal with special needs every day and Two, we have two gentlemen with special needs that live with us. Though my wife is their primary care giver I am also certified should the need arise.
Cookie, I'm afraid not. We had 6yrs with a Republican congress and president and N O T H I N G I mean nothing was done. They all bashed McCain and now he is God!They bash Hillary cause she is a liberal and said women can't run for prez cause there to emotional, but yet a Moose hunting christian conservitve is on the ticket for VP, it's ok! Double standards at it's best.(for both side's)
Hey,
I watched Sarah last night and I was very impressed ... BTW Master, there's a icon called "ABC" (that's for spell check) that will identify all your typo words and make you look like a genius:). Just my two cents.
Redwood
09-04-2008, 05:50 PM
Hey,
I watched Sarah last night and I was very impressed ... BTW Master, there's a icon called "ABC" (that's for spell check) that will identify all your typo words and make you look like a genius:). Just my two cents.
A grammer check would help too! But, there isn't a button for that...
"I is bad advice"
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Redwood39/Laugh.gif
Walks like a duck...
Talks like a duck...
Must be a damn duck!
nhmaster
09-04-2008, 06:21 PM
A grammer check would help too! But, there isn't a button for that...
"I is bad advice"
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Redwood39/Laugh.gif
Walks like a duck...
Talks like a duck...
Must be a damn duck!
I have bigger problems than that my friends, much bigger?
Actually though, due to my day job and the constant pressure of always having to spell properly and correct my grammar, I find a joyous release is typing away like a secretary on crack. That is why I have posted a disclaimer in my signature. :D
nhmaster
09-04-2008, 06:47 PM
Does Wisconsin have a code? Cause it seems like some pretty sketchy plumbing gets done there:eek:
Redwood
09-04-2008, 07:04 PM
Link to Wisconsin Plumbing Code.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/comm/comm081.html
My thought is the training and exam is weak.
Cookie
09-04-2008, 07:14 PM
That is wonderful to hear, wonderful for you and your wife to do. My husband and I wanted to adopt a special needs child when we got alittle older and had more time. Although he isn't here anymore, I am leaning toward doing so. If they were to have me. I hold a Ed.M and have 2 decades of work and several papers written on music therapy, and Early intervention Music Therapy; and how music therapy has proven to be an effective method in dealing with autism, allowing individuals to build social relationships.
Spelling and grammar are important but not as important as the subject content within the sentence structure. I pay far more attention to what is being said than how it is being said. Yes, I notice how often a writer refers to himself, only because that says a lot.
I am very much in touch with special needs for a couple reasons. One, as a high school teacher we deal with special needs every day and Two, we have two gentlemen with special needs that live with us. Though my wife is their primary care giver I am also certified should the need arise.
Cookie
09-04-2008, 08:10 PM
Your point is very well taken Mort.
Wow....some of you guys are pretty brutal. I've only got six employees (not plumbing however) and couldn't run my business nearly as well or profitably without them. I've only hired one new person recently but the rest have worked for me ten or more years. To get licensed (necessary in my field) takes 80 hours classroom time and a state test, but about two years to really get up to speed and be productive (read profitable) When hiring a new employee I usually let them ferment for about three months or so just to see if they really want to do the job and like the enviroment. If they like it, I pay for the schooling, room and board while attending, and the associated costs of getting a license. After that, it's just learning the ropes.
My employees, having to deal with the public, do have to put up with a lot of guff at times. It goes with the territory. I insist they maintain a professional attitude and be courteous to all clients. That said, NOBODY is required to listen to foul language or tolerate hot tempers....those cases come directly to me and if I can't get them to calm down and discuss whatever their issue might be then they can take a long walk of a short pier.
Are employees expensive? You bet!! Ouside of the government mandated taxes, fees, etc., providing decent health insurance is pretty danged costly (and it's something nobody sees on their paycheck so it largely goes under appreciated as compensation) As an employer, I get less time off in the sense of taking continous time off (like the two week vacation time I provide with full pay) and when things aren't going well am also the first in line to get reduced pay if necessary to get through the lean times.
All in all....I wouldn't change a thing:)
Mort
Master Plumber 101
09-04-2008, 08:16 PM
I have heard that you can also hire plumbers from
the local man power places around town.....
for about 18 to 25 per hour.....
they show up and you use them for as long as you wish,
you dont pay for SS or withholding, or any benefits
or insurance either, that all is paid by manpower..
and when you are through with them you let them
go back to the manpower place...or keep them for as long
as you want to
they cant file for un-employment on you either....
Manpower get's half of what these temp's make. How is that fair? If a Jorneyman is coming from manpower, I hate to tell you they are not licensed plumber's. If there making $10 an hour, how can you trust them to work for you? You would think it's a good idea to higher someone at such a low wage to protect the health and sanatation of our country.
Master Plumber Mark you are a true capitalistic hack to say the less.
Nate R
09-04-2008, 08:26 PM
I don't really see a problem. Back in your post you said "we all want" well if there is a problem, that is probably the biggest part of it. We all want. Big screen TV's, I pods, computers new cars, nice houses boats, snow mobiles 4 wheelers. And we're more than willing to buy these things and put ourselves in credit jeopardy simply because " We Want" Our fathers wanted too. But the waited and saved and made sound financial decisions so that they and their children could "have" No one has that kind of patience any more. We want it and we want it now. And worse yet, there are those that willingly put their 4 wheeler or 40 thousand dollar pick-up truck above health and dentil care for their families. It's amazing how many section 8 housing families somehow can't manage to pay the bills but they all have big screen plasma tv's, a new computer, x box, all the toys and a fridge full of beer. I used to see it daily because my company had the city contract to work the projects. There are many many fathers and mothers who's Friday night priority is to score a bag of weed and let the welfare buy the cheese and similac for the kid. It's all about personal responsibility and the liberal congresse's desire to take care of everyone.
This is more correct than many of you know, I think. I've seen countless tenants with TVs larger than mine, cars newer, more expensive, and less efficient than mine, clothes nicer than mine, and more food in the fridge, etc. And who's the one getting evicted? And we're not talking about top-notch housing, here.
I've been through enough rentals that I considered buying. I've spent many hours working for my brother on his rentals. And he's in the same boat as I am. On the outside, his tenants in general certainly look better off than him. But who's whining about not having $?
What gets me is the section 8 tenant that pays $40/mo rent out of her pocket. Works only a couple evenings a week at a bar. Then wonders why she can't come up with that $40. She is more than capable of working more.
Section 8 is fine for those who need it. It does help at times. There is another tenant I know of that is legitimately disabled. Section 8 and disability, and taking care of a couple kids a couple days a week allows her to live a decent life. She is able to afford a car, computer, cable, and rents a single family home with her daughter. I don't think she could work a normal job. But she is able to get by w/o too much trouble. But she makes good decisions.
I only wish there were a better way to weed out the ones who absolutely are abusing the system.
On health care:
Cookie, I think Clark Howard has the answer: Adopt a health care system that includes the customer again. Get employers out of the equation. And let the free market work. Require insurers to offer 7-10 standard plans that would be the same for every insurer. No exclusions, etc. They can offer whatever products they want as well. But offer a set of standard plans that the individual buys. Then they are able to REALLY comparison shop and let the free market work. If I look at Aetna and United, and they both sell national plans A,B,C,D,E, etc, I know that if I go w/ the less expensive one, I still get the same coverage. THAT would create competition in medicine for the insurers.
Master Plumber 101
09-04-2008, 08:37 PM
Let the free market work and the goverment will bail you out when it fail's. The free market work's for something's but not all.
Nate R
09-04-2008, 08:55 PM
Let the free market work and the goverment will bail you out when it fail's. The free market work's for something's but not all.
Umm, what? So health insurance can't be free market? It works for auto insurance, doesn't it? Dentistry isn't too far off.
It works for Lasik surgery. Insurance usually doesn't cover it. So it's a free market between the surgery provider and the customer. And look how low prices have gotten on it!
Cookie
09-04-2008, 09:02 PM
Employers should feel and be responsible for their employees. This is part of the problem today with health care. To be blunt, companies are getting cheaper and cheaper with their dealings with the people who make the money for them. Employees are much more than a working dollar sign for them and should be treated as such. Scratch each other's back?
If a company or business cannot afford to take care of their employee/s properly and ethically, then they should reconsider having employees in the first place.
Greed is coming from all levels and it will take down and destroy the very thing you try to create.
It is unfortunate for those who seem to always be looking into someone else's fridge, or looking and comparing cars, clothes, houses, tv sizes, or anything else. :D I think this must be a man thing. I am really glad women don't do that, or judge each other so much. You got to remember, you don't know how they go the Big big bigger tv than you got, you can only make assumptions; and sometimes, they can and are really wrong.
nhmaster
09-05-2008, 04:08 AM
Of course the root of the problem is the widespred misuse of the entire healthcare industry and the insurance companies having to jack prices up then passing it on to the consumer. There is an astounding amount of waste, inefficiency and just plain corruption in the health care industry. Not to mention the huge load that illegal aliens put on the system.
master plumber mark
09-05-2008, 04:27 AM
[quote=Cookie;155434]Employers should feel and be responsible for their employees. This is part of the problem today with health care. To be blunt, companies are getting cheaper and cheaper with their dealings with the people who make the money for them. Employees are much more than a working dollar sign for them and should be treated as such. Scratch each other's back?
If a company or business cannot afford to take care of their employee/s properly and ethically, then they should reconsider having employees in the first place.
Greed is coming from all levels and it will take down and destroy the very thing you try to create.
Cookie, you need to walk in others shoes for a while...
our whole economy has been going up and up for 40 years just like the houseing bubble did....
everyone wants the life style of the rich and famous..
without having to do anything for it.. when they cant have it given to them., they moan and groan
I had health insurance for 6 of my empoloyees at one time
and it cost me quite a bit to keep these losers insured.
lets say 800 per month ..
they did not consider this part of their pay, it was more like an
obligation I had to them for them to show up in the morning...
I was extremely pissed off about this.....
A company I worked for had an employee that SUED the,
because when they filled out their policy they opted NOT for the pregnancy rider....
two years later the fellow gets his wife pregnant then
expects his employer to pay all his bills...
you can guess the rest...
I dont know if it is GREED you are talking about here....
I think it is something more like........ ENTITLEMENT...
to the American Dream ..
I am voteing for OBAMA....... entitlement for everyone..
Obama will give those employees I fired a fair shake.
abd a big hug too.....and a raise and free health insurance,
and a larger welfare check, and free groceries, and cigaretts...
and a car to drive....
maybe some free condoms too.....
Cookie
09-05-2008, 05:14 AM
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/3/3_4_8v.gif sorry to burst your bubble, but I already have... many times. ( me in business shoes, :) )
YIKES, Mark! Did you walk in my shoes? My party shoes? http://images.crestock.com/90000-99999/98055-xxs.jpg I guess you can borrow them but do you think you will look good in them? Terry didn't have the legs, LOL. But I got to warn you, you will get the men. lol.
Do you have the solution?
Master Plumber 101
09-05-2008, 05:49 AM
Cookie, you need to walk in others shoes for a while...
I had health insurance for 6 of my empoloyees at one time
and it cost me quite a bit to keep these losers insured.
lets say 800 per month ..
they did not consider this part of their pay, it was more like an
obligation I had to them for them to show up in the morning...
I was extremely pissed off about this.....
I am voteing for OBAMA....... entitlement for everyone..
Obama will give those employees I fired a fair shake.
maybe some free condoms too.....[/QUOTE]
MP Mark, It is you my friend who need's to walk in other people's shoe's. Because your a failed bussiness owner doesn't mean your any more special and have a special privlage to talk sh**. Try walking in Cookie's shoe's. Have your spouse pass away and then get cancer. I would say her life has been more trying then your's.
It's also nice to hear you talk about past employee's you had. You were a HACK!!employer. I can see why your bussiness did not last. I even question what type of plumber you actually are.
Health insurance should be a perk provided by the empoyer. No one should have to work soley to pay for healthcare. You can't compare health insurance to any other because you need it to survive.
It is also about time someone give's worker's a fair handshake.
If they passed out free condom's maybe Bristol Palin would not have been knocked up!!
nhmaster
09-05-2008, 06:14 AM
I need my car to get to work. My state requires auto insurance. Should my employer pay that also? I need a roof under me. The bank requires my house to be insured. should my employer pay that also. Employers don't owe the employees anything other than a negotiated wage. Why not break away from the nipple and start your own business? Then come back in a couple years and tell me how you feel about "Perks"
Cookie
09-05-2008, 06:28 AM
Boy o boy you guys are brutal to each other, like Mort said. I agree with Mort.
Yes, my life has been trying at times 101.
I think regarding the election, we just need more selections, lol.
At first I didn't think I would go for Palin but, after hearing her speech and demeanor, I don't know, I kind of think she would be good for this country. It surprises me to say that.
A friend of mine, just probably fell off his chair reading that, lol. Yes, yes, I think she has the capabilities. Just not in warfare. You got to admit we need that.
Now Obama yikes, he has no experience. I am not so sure, I want a greenhorn in office. I don't think so. I like someone alittle older and wiser and with experience. Experience counts for alot, they already made their mistakes and hopefully, learned from them.
So, that leaves McCain. He is older, has experience and being around the block is sometimes a plus in life.
Just like people come to me when they want answers about the big C. I have been there, actually, now 5 times over, and I know the protocol. I am experienced at it, and then, some, :D
I also, like Palin's sense of humor. She actually has one. Boy, o boy, laughter and being able to laugh at yer self, and of course others, :D means a lot; especially, how things are today.
When I was first diagnosed with the big C at age 44, I was in the recovery room crying and crying. The surgeon came in, took my wrist and felt my pulse and asked me, " do you have kids?" I said, " yeah." "How many?" "Two." " Boys or girls?" " Boys." Well, he went on to say, " your kids are going to tolerate you for 15 minutes." And, he left.
So, in 9 years, I cried 15 minutes, and I laughed the rest.
So not to get on my soapbox in stilettoes, but, life is what you make it. That is my point, and instead of being part of the problem, be part of the solution.
Cookie
09-05-2008, 08:07 AM
You did not hurt my feelings in anyway, shape for form. No worries on that mate.
But, I am wondering how believing in Unions, (the backbone of our great nation) makes you give it all away?
I have owned a business, I know the perils in it and the costs involved. I also, know nothing worth having comes easy. We choose to do what we want to do to make a living. If I want to be a brain surgeon I could do so, ( I might not do too well, and those under my knive might scream alittle) if I want to be an airplane pilot I can do that too, ( I recommend those of you reading to take another flight) or I can teach, paint, drive a taxi, or replace a water heater (notice I did not say, HOT). I just got to make sure I am skilled enough whether I am licensed or not.
It comes down to choices. We have choices in life.
We all have bills. Whether we are paying for expensive things that Kings would buy or paying for little things, ( like me) that peasants buy. We still have to pay the fiddler if we want to dance.
There are rules. No matter how much we dislike or even hate it, their are rules to life.
To share. To be nice.
Are our opinions that important that we can name call at our ages?
Redwood
09-05-2008, 08:08 AM
Well stated Mark!
Cookie
09-05-2008, 09:42 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdgGx-VQJaQ
Here we go Mark! :D
I
OBAMA 08.......condoms anyone???
( he was staring at my chest, lol, wrong place) Come to think of it, why is it, all men do that?
:D You'll probably never know :D
Mort (who got his best laugh of the day)
master plumber mark
09-05-2008, 02:16 PM
You did not hurt my feelings in anyway, shape for form. No worries on that mate.
But, I am wondering how believing in Unions, (the backbone of our great nation) makes you give it all away?
There are rules. No matter how much we dislike or even hate it, their are rules to life.
To share. To be nice.
Are our opinions that important that we can name call at our ages?
Cookie, what I have stated is that Unioins were the backbone of the country 100 years ago,
now they are almost close to being the problem. with mob corruption ect....
Actuallly their are no rules to life, only the golden rule....
and I would love to share and be nice to everyone,,,
(pass out free condoms on the street and all)
I would love to give away all my assets and
meditate on the side of a mountain....and trust that others wont let me down.....
but becasue their are turely no rules, its only my blind
faith that the people I am willing to share with will treat me nice in return...someday ..
(no rule says that they should)
I think that this term is called ........GULLIBILITY.......???
or having a Polyiania like atitude.?????
COOKIE... Why do you think that their are LAWYERS .???
Why do lawyers exist in the first place ???
They exist because 95 % of the people on the planet
simply WILL NOT KEEP THEIR WORD unless they are
forced to by the lawyers...
95% of people on average will only keep their
word if it is to their advantage to do so.
Lawyers have to drag them kicking and screaming
into court to force them to pay their bills, or keep up their end of an agreement...
thats a cold hard fact......
The golden rule states
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you........
but keep your guard up in case the other fellow has
a mean left hook..
love your family, and hold your freinds dear, but
trust only the people that have earned your trust......
I know a lot of people that have been fleeced by
their preachers into handing over their lifes saveings, ect.
I know a whole bunch of people that cant get their
dead beat husbands to pay for child support too.
I watched a little old lady in a wheelchair one time get evicted from her home of 40 years because she trusted her son and put her home in his name....which he gambled away..
that is how it is...always has been and always will be
sorry about that
on another note
Name calling is fun sometimes...:D:D:D
Cookie
09-05-2008, 03:38 PM
You can call me slick. I am quite savvy. :D What are lawyers for? Hmm. I have used them in the past and now, in the present. Lawyers fight for your rights when they are being abused. I got 2 suits going now.
One is for Tim's Law. It will make life different for doctors who feel that they can squeeze in as many people as they can in an hour by shaving off the essentials, like taking your blood pressure. Infact, the Capitol called me today. It was pretty neat to see Capitol U.S. come up on my call return. Yes siree bob.
Second one is to make the doctor pay for his mistake. He is going to love this one. The world wouldn't need lawyers if people did what they were supposed to do in the first place. But, people decide to make their own rules and when they impact another's life, they have to be held accountable.
So far as the Unions, they need " tweaked." The foundation is still good, just got to tweak it enough to get rid of the rot, kind of like fixing an old house. If the foundation is good, not all is lost.
It never costs anything to be nice, and name calling is a form of verbal abuse. Not usually funny.
Cookie
09-05-2008, 03:41 PM
The best post ever.
Wow....some of you guys are pretty brutal. I've only got six employees (not plumbing however) and couldn't run my business nearly as well or profitably without them. I've only hired one new person recently but the rest have worked for me ten or more years. To get licensed (necessary in my field) takes 80 hours classroom time and a state test, but about two years to really get up to speed and be productive (read profitable) When hiring a new employee I usually let them ferment for about three months or so just to see if they really want to do the job and like the enviroment. If they like it, I pay for the schooling, room and board while attending, and the associated costs of getting a license. After that, it's just learning the ropes.
My employees, having to deal with the public, do have to put up with a lot of guff at times. It goes with the territory. I insist they maintain a professional attitude and be courteous to all clients. That said, NOBODY is required to listen to foul language or tolerate hot tempers....those cases come directly to me and if I can't get them to calm down and discuss whatever their issue might be then they can take a long walk of a short pier.
Are employees expensive? You bet!! Ouside of the government mandated taxes, fees, etc., providing decent health insurance is pretty danged costly (and it's something nobody sees on their paycheck so it largely goes under appreciated as compensation) As an employer, I get less time off in the sense of taking continous time off (like the two week vacation time I provide with full pay) and when things aren't going well am also the first in line to get reduced pay if necessary to get through the lean times.
All in all....I wouldn't change a thing:)
Mort