Employee Comp.

[Yard Elements]

So, I gave my employee a mower so he could cut his grass. His friends neighbor found out that he was a landscaper and asked him to cut her lawn he offered to do it with the mower I gave him on a weekly basis, he ended up using her mower and will be servicing her lawn weekly. What would you do. I think it BS but thought I should get some suggestions. I taught him how to cut, how long to cut the grass how often and how to bid. He still currently works for me.

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Eh. Tell him you want your mower back. If he wants to make money on the side let him buy his own equipment. Also, the first person/property he hurts/damages with your mower may get sticky.

[Yard Elements]

I gave the mower to him I didn't let him borrow it.

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by Yard Elements

I gave the mower to him I didn't let him borrow it.

that's what happens in the States man we area entrepreneurs haha but on a more serious note i would get another person to help me if it was interfering with his work but if wasn't i would just let him be and make sure he does not take more things like sprinkler heads, valves or any other things you might use for the yard cause he will be eating your profits there. So just talk to him and let him know you would rather him not take on any customers in your area but thats about all i can say.

[shadrach]

Unless you told him when you told him up front not to do that type of thing then I can't really see being mad. Let him keep that one but explain to him why he can't do it anymore. Putting together some type of employee handbook/checklist together $ making him sign off on it is not a bad idea either. If he told you about it I bet he didn't think you would have a problem with it.

[Yard Elements]

The part that bugs me is that we are all a team, I find work for us all. We knock doors etc. But then he finds work for just him just seems like an A$$ type thing to me?

[MountainViewGreenskeeper]

Originally Posted by Yard Elements

The part that bugs me is that we are all a team, I find work for us all. We knock doors etc. But then he finds work for just him just seems like an A$$ type thing to me?

Is he a part owner for the company? If not you have to remember that he is there to make money not help grow your company as you are doing. Ya you want that team spirit within a crew but he is there for him not you or the company. It is sad but true.

Now on the same token it is the same work as what he does for your company so a no competition agreement should have been made but that is up to you.

[Yard Elements]

I think I might make a no comp. agreement. I know he is there to make money for him self but if your employees are not there to build the company then what are they there for simple grunts? I pay myself as I am an employee and invest the rest back into the company.

What would you do if someone did this on a street that you already service would you keep them on? I feel he should have referred the company. I understand how some feel about "team spirit" but I feel in order to have competent professional people not the average layman mow-man then people have to have a sense of loyalty to the company. Whats keeping him from knocking on the door of my clients and doing te work for less than I do it. e now has a client on the same street. Would you hire an owner of a company that you compete with.

[MountainViewGreenskeeper]

Originally Posted by Yard Elements

I think I might make a no comp. agreement. I know he is there to make money for him self but if your employees are not there to build the company then what are they there for simple grunts? I pay myself as I am an employee and invest the rest back into the company.

What would you do if someone did this on a street that you already service would you keep them on? I feel he should have referred the company. I understand how some feel about "team spirit" but I feel in order to have competent professional people not the average layman mow-man then people have to have a sense of loyalty to the company. Whats keeping him from knocking on the door of my clients and doing te work for less than I do it. e now has a client on the same street. Would you hire an owner of a company that you compete with.

Well Im kinda in a different boat. The guys I use, the way I use them are independent contractors. So they kinda are more free to do what they want. Sure you want them to refer your company but it also not like he is going out and doing an estimate for your company and then saying hey I can do this for much cheaper on the side. My understanding from the way you stated it is, it is one of his neighbors. I would say just let it go. If he starts to get more you probably have a problem on your hands.

Also isn't this the same issue everybody is always talking about on this site low ballers and people that don't know what their cost are? Get insured and licensed if you are already find things the little guys can't do that will set you apart. Weather that be tree work, spraying for weeds(post, pre), fertilizer(more or less liquid anyone can do granules), sprinkler work, the other things.

To me the maintenance is just a foot in the door. Be better.

Hmmmz got a little carried away there I'll step down from the soap box.

In all seriousness. Either leave it alone or get an agreement set up that way when your guy wants to go make a few extra bucks he has to do something other then landscaping.

[Yard Elements]

I am licensed, bonded and insured. We currently employee four people including myself. Hiring independent contractors in IMHO is a little strange. We all wear uniforms and drive company trucks. I am trained in horticulture and so are my guys. We are not hacks that simply walk off the street and mow grass. He does know the cost because I am training him to be a supervisor and to bid jobs. I don't want to run the whole company forever, besides soon it will be too big to manage on my own.

Anyway I think I have a solution to the problem. I will provide a non-compete form but offer him a sales incentive program so he can make extra cash and build the company. Win win. Now the questions is what to offer him. how Much?

Any Ideas?