New groundie needs ironing

[ROLLACOSTA]

I have a new groundie ,hes a willing worker and always on time.The only problem i have with him is that he is a little rough around the edges .To partly remedy this problem i have ordered me an him new uniforms this week ,but my main concern is ''I CRINGE WHEN HE GETS INTO A CONVERSATION WITH A CLIENT''[he tends not to beat around the bush and often curses/swears though not directly to the customer]...Theres no doubt about it he dos have to talk to clients [at most we are a 3 man crew ] as i am usually climbing ,now he is far from stupid ,do you guys have any ideas on how i can iron out his oral roughness ,in an around about nice way ,i do not want to loose him as groundies are very hard to get around here.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Tell him to STFU around the customer if he can't control himself. It's not his job to be yapping it up, anyway.

 

[SteveBullman]

2 questions.........is that the guy you had with you last time i came? and does that mean you'll be giving me a printed t-shirt next time i come in? haha

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

you might get one if you work hard [got one for you simaler in nature to the one Jarvis had made for you hahaha] lol and yes it is DAN the same groundie [he's a nice bloke but he thinks working in a back yard is the same as a construction site]

 

[texasnative]

Unfortunately, younger chaps tend to be rough around the edges as a general rule of thumb. Alot of younger folks just don't know any better. I would simply lay down the law and tell him right up front not to use expletives in front of customers. That's day one stuff. If the two of you have a good working relationship and your helper enjoys working for you (showing up on time with a willingness to work is a good indicator that he does), then he won't give you any grief about it. JMO

 

[MasterBlaster]

Unfortunately, younger chaps tend to be rough around the edges as a general rule of thumb.

I won't accept that. It's easy to be civilized and professional in the presence of the client. Alone you can act as stupid as you like...

 

[Dadatwins]

Explain that you value the fact that he is on time and a hard worker and that you appreciate him as an employee, but if he insists on speaking to clients or others on your crew in a crude and vulgar tone you will wash his mouth out with a bar of soap that has been soaking overnite in chainsaw mix.

 

[jason j ladue]

rolla, that's a tough one. a good employee is hard to replace. meanwhile, it is very important to maintain professional decorum on the job site...no cursing w/in earshot of the customer. be cool!

 

[clearance]

Tough one, I would rather have him than a polite useless groundsman. Or like a Canadian general said about soldiers "When there isn't a war, they are a problem, but in a battle I want a thouand ass....s " Explain your problem to him, tell him why it bothers you. I used to work construction and in the bush from a young age and can curse with the best of them, but I try my best to be polite around the public. MB says to stfu but that is profanity, wrong. Best one to a customer "Are you sure you fellows can cut that tree down?" "Yes ma,am, that tree is going down like a whore on a $100 cock" Whats this about uniforms, you are kidding right? How about jeans and a ripped AC/DC Highway to Hell black t-shirt. Thats more like it, here to log not f... the dog.

 

[tinman44]

tell him this "its better to keep your mouth shut and let the customer think your a dumb foul mouthed groundie, than it is to open your mouth and prove it"

 

[hobby climber]

Explain it to him this way:... Ask him if he were the customer, who he would rather have work for him. A company with a guy that swears all the time or a company with a professional crew that sounds professional when they speak? In other words, let him come to the right conclusion for himself. If he wants to argue this point, ask him whats more important to him, loosing his foul mouth or loosing his job! Remember, your employees are a reflection on you and your company. My 02. HC

 

[treeseer]

Let him know that many of your customers think that foul language is a sign of low intelligence :alien: , and that your business needs to project the image of knowledgeable professionalism.

This is what keeps you ahead of the competition, which is the only thing that keeps you working steady.

YOu wouldn't be far from the truth if you said this, would you?

 

[a_lopa]

get rid of him rolla,loose lips

 

[Jim1NZ]

If hes a good worker hes fully worth keeping, and its not much effort to ask some one to keep there laungague under control.

 

[vharrison2]

Tell him to STFU around the customer if he can't control himself. It's not his job to be yapping it up, anyway.

lmao

 

[Jumper]

Next time this happens, take him aside and calmly/politely tell him his language is unacceptable.....perhaps this is the way he was brought up and believes all people speak like this all the time. Maybe provide an incentive to behave, like doc his pay 50 pence per nasty word, and if he goes a day without flapping his lips inappropriately provide positive incentives. If it continues you have two choices-tell him to stay away from the customers, or start looking for a new groundman. Not sure of profanity was a sign of low intelligence, just ignorance IMHO. 22 years in the Army I too can curse with the best of them, but there are more classy ways of expressing ones self without lowering yourself to a common level.

 

[Lawn Masters]

I suggest taking him aside, and politely explaining that some customers can be offended by profanity, and that its not giving an impression of professionalism either.
I too can curse with the best of em, but around people other than myself, I dont use such language.
The objective is to do a good job and behave in a professional manner.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I'm with taking him aside, but it should be a counceling session before you knock off for the day when he has not done anything wrong.

Start with good points and that you want to keep him on the crew, then bring out this big but....

In other words, do it as a professional manager. Even if the client's are not around, you cannot have streams of profanity coming on a residential site. An occasional outburst is forgivable, but effing this and effing that will reflect poorly on the company to neighbors and passers by.

This is why I'm a believer of uniforms, even if it's just a printed Tee. They remind people that they are on your time and need to act accordingly.

 

[iain]

rolla
warn him to remain civil 'once' then 'twice' and if it happens a 'third time'
, make him walk home, he'll soon catch on

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Rolla, am I right in thinking this guy will walk off if you bollock him once?