Good day ladies and gents.

That’s my situation in a nutshell. I had my only employee call me just after lunch yesterday to let me know he was leaving early to go help a friend finish a painting job.

Now for some details. It’s just myself and him (journeyman and 4th year apprentice, and a friend for the last 17 years). We are absolutely swamped right now with a few houses on the go. I worked through my weekend because I’m trying to get us caught up. I have him working another jobsite, and I’ve already been getting rode pretty hard to hurry up and finish rough-ins so drywall can start.

I let him know on the phone that I was not happy with this decision, but I’m hesitant on what my next step should be.

What say the masses?

  • Benleeds89@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I think for ms there are a few questions missing

    Is it a one off occasion? Is he on a contract with a set amount of minimum hours? how early did he leave? Does he stay back longer other times to get jobs done?

    For me if it’s a one off he’s gone to help a friend in what would be his own time and he puts the effort in other times you just let it slide. I get that it could be a few hours that your work gets done and all the implications of that being done quicker but if he puts the effort in other times there’s no argument for me on taking a little bit back as I mentioned with the contracted hours it’s effectively his time… if he puts it in elsewhere. If he doesn’t then I guess you’ve got an argument that he’s not fulfilling his contracted hours.

    In my job I’m in the middle of this situation I have upper management that wants my department staff to work longer to get jobs done and the staffs incentive is they get paid more but I can’t force them because if they have worked their contracted hours then its their time they are giving up. Time with family or friends to do as they please. If at minimum they are making up their weekly hours then that’s all they are entitled to do.

    The other job and the payment of that I guess is his issue should anything come about with taxes where you are from as long as your accounting of his time/taxes is relevant to your area then what he does elsewhere is his problem. I know here in the UK you’re supposed to declare other incomes be it via a 2nd employment or if you are self employed via the tax office (HMRC) directly. Here in the UK you get around 12500 of your earnings that isn’t taxed this is usually spread out over the year of your primary employment so any other declared employment will be taxed fully without this.

    To conclude my essay if your employee is putting in the hours for you I think clocking off early the odd time isn’t an issue…if he’s not then you need to question his priorities.