“ You got a break when I hired you. “
- Old boss, Paul. He was full of great sayings. And no he wasn’t talking to me.
Some of the stuff there can apply to climbers too, but I’d hope they have already learned to respect the customer’s property and be on time.
“ You are a representative of the business.” Very true.
My story regarding number 14.
A while back, when I worked for a local small tree service, they hired on a 20 something groundie laborer. Not a bad guy, strong back and he worked hard. He talked like a sailor and had a voice that just carried. We were in 7-11 getting drinks or food between jobs and I don’t know what he was talking about but it was several loud F-bombs in every sentence. Standing behind us in line was a younger woman with her 2-3 year old child, and she looked mad. I know damn well she would never ever become a customer. I’ll bet she didn’t even single out the one guy who was doing the talking. There’s was four or five of us, and we were all wearing orange shirts that said “ Hoppy’s Tree Service” and had two or three trucks with equipment with signs in the parking lot. That wasn’t some guy using filthy language in front of her child, that was Hoppy’s Tree Service that was doing it, at least in the public’s
I elbowed him and told him there’s kids listening to his mouth, and he did at least have the grace to turn red and apologize to the lady and her kid. I doubt the apology was accepted. The guy only worked there for a couple months, but his behavior can still have a lasting impact on the business and public image. Try to be pleasant. Try to be a gentleman. This isn’t elementary school, nobody is impressed with all the foul language you know.
“ You are a representative of the business.”
Also saw a guy get hemmed up against the wall by the boss and almost get fired. Driving like an asshole, laying on the horn, middle finger out the window and passing on the shoulder. In a chip truck with the company name and phone number on the signs. Someone took down the phone number and called to complain. If it’s all true then it was pretty dangerous and reckless. These trucks don’t stop and maneuver like little cars especially if carrying loads and pulling trailers.
It’s unsafe and any unsafe acts shouldn’t be tolerated in this biz. It’s also rude and can earn traffic tickets. Learn early on that there’s some idiots on the road and then get over it. Don’t get so upset about bad drivers, don’t rage, from there it’s easy for shit to escalate and you can rack up some big charges and end up in jail. You won’t be behind them for long, and you probably get paid by the hour anyways so enjoy a little easy money.
One little bit about number 12.
A lot of companies do written estimates in duplicate or triplicate and a copy goes on the job with the foreman or boss. Clipboards keep it all together nicely. Hopefully that paper is left in the same spot all the time, like the seat of the chip truck or something like that. This is a great way for everyone to be able to know the address if someone has to call 911. I know I can’t memorize addresses, especially in the morning.
One little lecture about clothing and I’m done. Loose laces, drawstrings from hoodies, or anything that’s like a string or strap that flaps around could possibly ruin your day if you work with rotating equipment.
A coworker had one of those stupid keychain lanyard straps on his keys, and the keys were in his pocket with the strap hanging out. The strap got caught on a running chainsaw and the saw was then drawn to his leg. Like if you ever had a shoelace get stuck in a bicycle chain? Same principle. It jammed up in the drive sprocket and he didn’t get cut, but too close for comfort. It should’ve been immediately obvious but somehow it went unnoticed until that near miss.
Most jewelry is probably a bad idea on the job. My foreman got married, was wearing his new wedding ring, and then he wasn’t wearing it. Pretty sure it came off when he took his gloves off. Maybe it was a little loose or maybe his hands were sweating in the gloves. He never found it, and had to buy a new one.