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In my last post I talked about treating your employees with the dignity and respect they deserve, but that’s not to suggest that you should let them walk all over you. As a small business owner, your job is to set expectations for employee behavior from their first day of employement, and then to stick to these rules and expectations for the duration.
Indoctrinate New Hires
New employees should immediately be given a packet that details what is expected of them, specifically with regard to uniform or dress codes, treatment of customers and co-workers, and quality of work. In addition, it should include information about what they can and should expect from you as their boss and/or owner. Then have them sign it and make copies for both parties. This will serve to set clear guidelines from day one and to provide a record in case you have to fire them later for failing to live up to the agreed upon expectations. Don’t be a jerk during the orientation process, but let them know that you have certain goals and rules in place and adherence to them is required.
You should then immediately assign the new employee to a trainer who can show them the ropes for a few days. Many people feel overwhelmed during their first few days at a new job, and you owe it to them to provide enough training and support to make the transition easy. It’s also in your best interest because an ill-trained employee, especially in a home services business, can cause amazing amounts of damage to your reputation and brand.
Rules Are Rules. No Exceptions For Friends.
Becoming a contractor who has hired help will mean that you’ll need to be vigilant in practicing workplace equality. It’s natural that over time you’ll become close friends with some of your employees, especially those that have been there a long time, but it’s very important that you hold them to the same standards as everyone else. You’ll be tempted to let them slack off on occasion, or maybe you’ll overlook something that they’re doing wrong because, hey, your buddies. But you must know this kind of favoritism will not go unnoticed by newer employees. They will begin to grow resentful of this perceived lack of fairness, and the result will be a loss of respect for you, which always leads to a deterioration of workplace morale and productivity. We’ve all been in that workplace situation where the boss is all cozy with one or two of your peers who seem to get preferential treatment. Remember how mad that made you? Don’t be that kind of boss! If your friends at work have a problem with being treated the same way as your new hires, then maybe they’re not such great friends (or employees) after all. Run a tight ship, respect and care about the help, practice equality, and you will have a productive and happy workforce.
My name is Jeff and I created this blog in 2007 to help and inspire contractors and home service providers. It’s come a long way since then.