Hi Folks - we are looking at revamping our compensation program for snow removal. This is a tricky situation as we cover multiple state with different laws and unemployement guidlines. Our primary business is landscape maintenance and construction, but snow has become as larger and larger part of the service line. How do you handle snow pay? Hrly? Seasonal? Standby Pay Plus Hourly? Snow Bonus? Are your guys laid off? Just trying to get some ideas, any help is appreciated.
Internal employees, we typically have 12-16 weeks of a snow season. Most if not all are laid off, then come back for snow, which is a difficult process. Looking for options. Lots of the guys are heavy equipment operators.
back in the day when things were small it was all sorts of things, guys around these parts are used to double dipping, Getting laid off and being payed cash on the side. At our size that's not going to work.
It's tough to figure that part out, everyone does it different. I think the best way is what Neige does, a salary. However your budget (and mine) may or may not allow for it. In the states we have more per trip, hrly, etc whereas Canada has more seasonal (guaranteed money). Personally we are trying to convert as much as possible to seasonal so we can eventually get to that system. We have a hard time finding quality staff, once we get them on board they tend to stay, but finding them is difficult. My hope is that this will help to find better quality staff.
Thanks, we also cover a geographic area that spans from Guarantee snow, to maybe you get some. Our contracts are balanced between season, hrly and per inch. I am crunching some numbers on keeping guys on a retainer for the winter. Any additional recommendations are welcomed
Not sure about this deal. Maybe talk to a lawyer or accountant. Maybe see if you can setup a company in each state this way guys can get unemployment when the season is done.
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Snow is a little like religion and a lot like sex,you never know when your going to get it next!
They are currently getting unemployment But lots of smaller companies are paying cash on the side plus unemployment. I am leaning towards keeping them employed during the winter on a limited Hrs basis plus snow. You run a risk on a low snow year but it's legit.
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