Florist News

i've decided that i need a couple of part timers. i was thinking of one saturday girl/boy[!] already have a sunday boy - my eldest son but if saturdays carry on the way they have i'll need someone in the next few weeks. my other sons are not interested - damn.

was also thinking about a part timer, my mum & mil have been helping out but to be honest they are both doing my head in in totally different ways.To preserve my sanity i was looking at perhaps one or two afternoons a week - with more hours available at peak times.
now this is were i need your input ppl, do i go for a floristry student? or maybe some one semi-retired? is a couple of afternoons realistic? can i have them work for a trial period? do you pay them minimum wage plus a bit? i was thinking of insisting on references too, & checking them, cos i'm like that, but my mil said i was being a bit OTT - moi! never!

anything else i should watch out for? i have made a point of not asking friends or their offspring, was thinking it would be tricky to get rid if i needed too!

hey ruthie my daughter may be interested in the saturday job i will pm

Hi Ruthie
I have worked for my sister for 8 years, 5 days per week, my sister also employs our mum 2 and half days per week (she does our head in at times) but if you are close to your family members, you will find that they can be very loyal and they will only have your best interest at heart when it comes to your business. You can always set a trial period and minimal wage. Its so hard when you take on new staff as we know only to well, its been 12 years since my sister set up her business but this year we had 3 go on maternity, trying to find replacements was such a headache because you have to explain to the replacement that it is temporary as you have to keep their jobs open for a year. Websites such as HM Revenue & Customs: Home Page are really good for employment information. Also if you take on a student you can train them to do things the way you want things done, someone with years of experience could be set in their ways and may not be used to making funky wakky floral designs in keeping up with trends, but this would depend on wether you are looking for a florist or a shop assistant or you might need someone to do both.
Good luck in your search!!

hi ruthie, gald your shop is doing well!! Definately references because you need to know you can trust them and I would steer clear of family and friends as employees because basically that can get messy. It is hard to say what you should pay, that all depends on your area, their experience etc. I would say minimum for a student, difficult to say for semi retired or maybe a mother working round her kids? A trial period is always a good idea, say a month or something and tell them you'll see how it goes and have a chat again in a month, cause remember she may not be happy or you may not be happy. Anyway i think im right in saying that your staff have to be with you for 2 years before they have many rights, i mean you can just let them go and say its not working out but after 2 years it gets a bit more complicated. Hope this helps

My turn to be aggreeable - i agree with apple. i actually do have a aunty working for me and she is great and loyal and trustworthy but i do find it difficult trying to implement new rules etc and manage her, not because of the way she is but more the way i feel uncomfortable with it but then maybe its my issues!!

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thanks folks! a trial period of say a couple of months sounds good, gives us both a get out clause should we need it. did'nt know about the 2 yr rule, will have to look into that. probably more applicable for a weekday part timer than a sat girl, i imagine sat girls would move on after about 2 yrs, what with college & uni & what have you.

tulips i have the same problem with the mums- i think its me not them, it feels weird ordering my mum about - not that my sons have a problem with ordering me about tho! any way left mil on her own today as sunday boy was competing, [he's a swimmer] & she did very well so i don't think i'll fire her yet