[KS Cleaning]

Sounds more like he needs a therapist rather than an employee...

 

Whilst you are one of the most helpful posters on here, I do think that’s a bit below the belt Darran. I think Stoots has been open and honest on here on a few occasions about depression……..It’s not a laughing matter, nor something to be mocked.

[G Griffin]

Everytime I dabble into this I get reminded why I always end up working back on my own.

About a month ago I decided I would like to get a part timer to help as getting a bit bored on my own

Anyway 2 weeks ago I took a lad on a trial day, seemed OK so agreed to give him a month trial. Then the 2nd day he messaged me saying he was sick so we re arranged for the following week. Next week and came and his car had broken down so he couldn't get here.

I binned him off and advertised again not a good start.

Spoke to a lad last week and arranged Friday of last week to do a trial day. Last minute he said he had forgot he had an appointment booked and could we do Monday (today). Wasnt too bothered about that as I don't like working Fridays anyway and was only doing it for him.

So last night I spoke to him checked everything was ok, all good to go.

He's supposed to be meeting me at 8am this morning and 5 mins ago I get the message "can we arrange for another day I've been in hospital all night".

Now of course this could true but I don't have the patience and it's really not a good sign.

Wonder how long before i give up on the idea again 

You employ because you are bored working on your own?
Is that a good enough reason for employing?

No it isn’t

Bold statement.

If someone is bored working alone and finds having company good for their enjoyment of the job and mental health then to them it's a good enough reason.

If its a good enough reason for you or anyone else is completely irrelevant.

Fair enough but it looks like you're going to suffer some mental challenges to get there.
Good luck with it.

[Smudger]

Sounds more like he needs a therapist rather than an employee...

 

Whilst you are one of the most helpful posters on here, I do think that’s a bit below the belt Darran. I think Stoots has been open and honest on here on a few occasions about depression……..It’s not a laughing matter, nor something to be mocked.

Not mocking - serious statement if your having issues I don’t believe having the extra stress of dealing with an employee is going to be beneficial

Darran

[G Griffin]

I think finding a good employee who is also a mate is going to be very difficult.

What don't you like about working alone, Stoots?  Is it having too much to think? I enjoy the solitude but when I've had a bad start to the day (usually when my son plays up) it can mean I dwell on that. I'd sooner deal with it myself though but I know that people can be a distraction and stop us from thinking too much.
The trouble is, people can be a bad distraction, too  .
Good luck, mate  .

[Jay Le Huray]

Many many many years ago, I split my business into 3 rounds as I had so much work, to cut a long story short I had 1 chap doing a 3rd of the round but he was never happy and was getting very greedy and needy always asking for more money etc, I ended up letting him go and he bought that third of the business from me and is still doing it today.

My son was also working for me as I provided him with a van and equipment, but he was useless  and struggled to get all the work completed, I ended up making him come with me and we put the 2 thirds together to make it a manageable round for the 2 of us.
He ended up leaving me a couple of years later to take on a different job.

Finally I had another shiner whom I subbed out some of my commercial jobs, I ended up with complaints as he was not doing them to my standard. so I ended up letting him go and doing the work myself.

Approximately 4 years or so ago I sold off half the business  and now my wife sometimes comes with   me if I have a lot on
(more for company really)

All the above experiences put me off employing anyone again as it was too stressful , now days i get my days work done by 1pm and have no stress.   

[Stoots]

I think finding a good employee who is also a mate is going to be very difficult.

What don't you like about working alone, Stoots?  Is it having too much to think? I enjoy the solitude but when I've had a bad start to the day (usually when my son plays up) it can mean I dwell on that. I'd sooner deal with it myself though but I know that people can be a distraction and stop us from thinking too much.
The trouble is, people can be a bad distraction, too  .
Good luck, mate  .

I suppose theres a few reasons to employ, number one would be to simple make more money, secondly i find the day is a little easier i get the employee to do all the back windows whish usually involves all the stretching and reaching over connys leaving me to the fronts. Of course the third reason as you describe is to distract myself from dwelling on my own thoughts which lets face it in this job can be all the entertainment we have during the day.

[G Griffin]

Stoots, have you considered audio books, radio, podcasts etc?
Maybe a chat with your customers?
Ring your family and friends throughout the day, if you're struggling?

You're not going to chat with an employee when he's round the back of the house and he might be too knackered to talk when he's been cleaning over them connys .

[NWH]

Having someone working with you won’t make you’re problems go away if it did that everyone would employ,if you get the wrong person it can make you’re life harder.

[Stoots]

Having someone working with you won’t make you’re problems go away if it did that everyone would employ,if you get the wrong person it can make you’re life harder.

Yes I know what you mean I've employed a few before and a lot of times ended up more stressed than ever. On the flip side I've had a couple in particular that I got on well with and enjoyed working with so I know it can be done also.

[NWH]

If you get the right person-people it’s easy though.

[windowswashed]

Being too busy is great short term but not long term. For those that struggle with wellbeing and mental health it's not a good idea to think employing is the answer.

Better to keep refining your round to suit your own personal needs. Work to live, not live to work. Keep a healthy work, life balance as it has a way of catching us all up doing too much of anything, all in moderation.

For those that can't face some work  days, plan the night before by texting customers to let them know that you will be around the following day as giving in to mental health problems start by avoiding people.

We are our own worst nightmares by shutting the world out and becoming reclusive if we allow ourselves to be drawn in by depression and anxiety. Mental health can be an issue for lone workers. Helps to take a break from life sometimes and take a reality check.

[dazmond]

I love working on my own a lot more than I ever did with someone working with me.the trick for me is....

1.short work days(no more than 5-6 hours per day)

2.samsung ear buds(for radio/music/podcasts/audio books,etc)

3.getting rid of PITA jobs

4.good equipment(electric reel,hot water,light poles,etc).

5.Decent workwear

This job is a breeze for me compared to the drudgery it used to be back in my trad days (with lots of collecting and ladder climbing!).

I spent 17 years trad and coming up to my 13th year WFP...   

[NWH]

Tomorrow you won’t be able to do any of your work and it may be like this for the next year or so,what do you do about that situation ? 

[dazmond]

Tomorrow you won’t be able to do any of your work and it may be like this for the next year or so,what do you do about that situation ?

What's the point in worrying about something that might never happen?that's how people end up with anxiety problems(projecting into an imaginary
doom and gloom future)....

I'll deal with it if it happens but it hasn't  for the last 29 years...

[Slacky]

I’ve had a lot of worries in my life. Most of which haven’t happened.

[NWH]

If that’s the case you’ve been lucky so far then that means the odds are increasing year on year.