Employing staff

[kme]

Okay - some of you should be able to provide input here...

We`ve recently got much busier - to the point where we`re considering employing someone. I see three choices:

1. Full time qualified sparx.

2. Part time, maybe 3rd year learner.

3. Apprentice.

I`ve never looked into employment rules etc. ; but would value your input on the pros & cons of each. I can`t see us taking on a full time spark, as the possibility of work going quiet again would cause a fairly big financial burden to the company. So, part-timer, or apprentice? Which, and why.

Thanks in advance

KME

 

[Apache]

4. subcontract a fully qualified spark when needed? Pay on a day rate?

new apprentice might actually slow you down at first, of your three options number 2 would be my choice, reasonable cost and reasonably useful!

 

[binky]

Part trained made redundant apprentice could be ideal- already useful, but still cost effective. Down side is they may be useless hence redundant in the first place??? Unless you have reasonable foreseeable work load then subby might be better option, whether as fully qualified or as a mate. I did this for a while until it became apparent that I really neede an apprentice, which ultimately has worked much better for me - cheaper, more reliable and more loyalty to you.

 

[Lee321]

a subby works well, the stigma of them just up and leaving in the middle of a job etc is very rare.

i subbied to 1 firm for six years continuos.

and when the work dies off they are seasoned to it and its not an issue i.e no hard feelings and aslong as you have paid them when you said you will they will be willing to work again for you.

price work works very well. you then know what your costs will be with a guaranteed profit. the work gets done fast = happy clients = happy subby = happy employer made profit . client gives more work due to good working relationship and no hold ups to builders program = all is good

 

[Evans Electric]

In the great scheme of things it would be nice to give an apprentice the chance to learn the dark arts, but in the real world I think a subby is the way to go. To employ someone direct is a nightmare of paperwork , bureaucracy, Nat Ins, tax returns, H&S, holiday pay, redundancy payments .

I work in league with three other self employed sparks and we help each other out on a daily or weekly basis if required.

For instance, one of the guys has been with me all this week and will be next week too but I don't have anything for him after that but he may need a hand from me .