Farm Hands

Capt Quirk · #21 02/16/12, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolT

They don't get title to the property or the home they build? Yep, you're cheap and remember, you get what you pay for...

That is right. We are paying for the land, and the food. You don't work, you don't get a free ride either. I have a goal for that property. Anybody willing to work towards it with us, is more than welcome to share in the bounties. I ain't the government, I don't give out freebies to the lazy.

CarolT · #22 02/16/12, 07:59 PM

I understand working for room and board. But if they're having to build the home, that's not "room". An existing fixer-upper that's livable but needing some work I'd accept. Maybe a trailer would work, something that once it's paid for, still belongs to the person living in it. But if they're doing all the farm chores then supposed to build a house in their spare time that you can yank out from under them on a whim, just sounds too lop-sided...

I honestly don't know what you expect from the stepson. And I have no problem with getting an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. It just sounded like there was a lot of take and not much give from that wording...

Capt Quirk · #23 02/16/12, 08:10 PM

Well Carol, I look at it like this, I am not looking to either screw anybody, nor support them. I don't ask that they pay for the land, or buy equipment for me. I am offering an opportunity for sweat equity, something that isn't likely to be found anywhere. Is where you live now "Free"? I doubt it. I know we are paying a good chunk of cash every month for the property. So feeding somebody, and offering them a country life, AND my labor in building them a place, in exchange for their help in the field isn't so bad in my eyes. Same offer was made to the step son, and he has become a very belligerent leech, not to mention other issues I won't go into.

ErinP · #24 02/16/12, 10:03 PM

Depends on how much "help in the field" he's giving...

For full time farm or ranch help, free house and utilities is a fairly common job benefit.

fantasymaker · #25 02/17/12, 07:02 AM

Around here that type of work would bring about $4 or $5 a hour say $ 20 a day to make it worth comming out.

wwubben · #26 02/17/12, 07:36 AM

Your arrangement looks very fair and square.

Oakshire_Farm · #27 02/17/12, 03:53 PM

Thanks everyone!

The last person I hired we had the same agreement, except she did not do any farm chores, just work in the kennel. I had the same agreement with her bringing her kids to work. I would rather help out a mom that needs the cash. I set out the days tasks, the amount of time it should take, at the absolute longest. It should take 4 hours. I will pay her for 4 hours work if it takes her 6 hours because she is busy feeding her baby fine. BUT I will only pay for 4, it worked out great the last time. Once the milking is done, nothing "has" to be done on any time constraints.

ronbre · #28 02/17/12, 05:53 PM

most states have a legal minimum wage and you can go up from there...when we hired help we always paid $25 an hour min

Patrick · #29 02/17/12, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakshire_Farm

Thanks everyone!

The last person I hired we had the same agreement, except she did not do any farm chores, just work in the kennel. I had the same agreement with her bringing her kids to work. I would rather help out a mom that needs the cash. I set out the days tasks, the amount of time it should take, at the absolute longest. It should take 4 hours. I will pay her for 4 hours work if it takes her 6 hours because she is busy feeding her baby fine. BUT I will only pay for 4, it worked out great the last time. Once the milking is done, nothing "has" to be done on any time constraints.

That's a nice idea, and it only makes sense, but in most US states anyway, if an employee is on the clock for 6 hours, you are required to pay them for 6 hours. It doesn't matter if they screw around. Their fault, your fault, nobody's fault, if you don't pay them and get turned in, you've got a lot of back wages plus fines and interest to pay. Same goes for a lot of these under the table jobs. You might start out the best of friends, or at least collaborators to save yourself both taxes and papaerwork, but let me tell you, if it goes sour, all the employee has to say is that you insisted in paying them under the table, and you're on the hook for it all. Don't think it can happen? How many jobs have you had in your lifetime that you liked initially, but then ended up disliking your boss? Nothing is simple anymore. Nothing.

Our Little Farm · #30 02/17/12, 07:18 PM

I'd be careful paying per hr rather than a set amount for work as detailed. If you consider 4 hrs to be fair, x the $$ by that and pay it per day. If it takes her a little longer because her little one has been fussy, then it is her responsibility, not yours.

OOps! Only just read post #27. Looks like u have this covered.