Fire him or keep him?

Question

I just came back from vacation and left my employee in charge of my landscape business. He mowed 5 small residential accounts, blew 4 others...he had 10 hours time labor and had 72 miles on his vehicle. Keep in mind all the equipment he's using is ours. I paid him $12 per hour plus .60 per mile for mileage around $160 cash. He was unhappy and demanded time and a half or about $18 per hour because he had to do the work "solo". My wife and I find this unbelievable and ridiculous...am I wrong here...it's not really the money but the fact he got in my face and smart mouthed my wife...plus, when we left on our vacation we all agreed on the above figures.

Answer 1

fire him....he left 4 of your clients unhappy, you know wat they say "the customer is always right"

you can always get another employee, lots of ppl can do landscaping.

Answer 2

he agreed in advance

you owe him nothing

unless you want to give

him the extra as severance pay.

dump him immediately

Answer 3

i dont even make that much....i say give it to him only when he does all the necessary work but dont pay 18 pr hour....i say maybe 10

Answer 4

When you Say ''Blew" are you talking about blowing leaves only - no mowing? or are you saying he '' Blew-off'' the client?

If he"blew-off'' the client, there is reason for termination right there.

You don't say how long this employee has worked for you.

Either way once an Employee ''mouths'' off to me, they're history.

Especially if  there was very clear communication and no misunderstandings regarding job description, responsibilities and compensation, prior to your departure ( he agreed to the contract.).

One does not renegotiate a contract after the fact.

If there was some misunderstanding, it needs to be handled in a mature,calm, professional manner.

Do not tolerate insubordination.  If they do it once, they'll do it again.

The whole money ,integrity thing is a whole 'nother issue.

Employees who harbor bad feelings, can be detrimental to a company, i.e. other employee morale, bad impressions left with clients, overall productivity, not to mention the equipment.

If all of the above is true, I'd terminate him.

Answer 5

I am with you on this one.That was rude.I don`t get paid any extra for working Solo.He is not worth keeping.He does not have the right principles .If my boss would leave me in charge i would diffidently try my best.It would be such a nice thing.

Answer 6

if he is a great employee do not fire him but you need to let him know that he has no right in talking to either you or you wife in that manner as you are the boss and he is the employee

you need to set down the rules with him if he would like to keep his job.

hope that helps

Answer 7

He obviously couldn't cope with the responsibility. I'd advise him that he didn't perform, that he was out of line in the way that he spoke to you both and you are looking to cease his employment. He may pull his head in. Or he may not, in which case I'd fire him.

Answer 8

I think you and your wife are answering your own question.

The yelling, etc is insubordination. I've never had an employee do that - very inappropriat.   Make sure you document, document..... everything very carefully.   Might want to get some advise as to what steps to take exactly.

Answer 9

Wow! well other than that, does he do a good job? you gotta ask yourselves this question too. Do people complain about him for the most part???

If you think twice about this.... Fire him! or give him a warning.

Answer 10

fire him-besides the work and money, like you say, he mouthed off and was disresepectful-you are the boss and call the shots, not him.