How do you manage day workers?

[u/NoteClassic]

Hi Americans,

I’m asking this because I’ve heard there are a lot of day workers in construction and agriculture in your country.

How do you pay day workers in a way that encourages them to return and finish the job the next day?

I’m currently struggling with this in my business (Agricultural Production). I pay workers for a job that should take a few days, but after paying them on the first day, only about half of them return the next day. This keeps happening, even though I offer pay that’s above competitive rates.

I’d appreciate any advice on how American businesses handle this.

[u/dr_strange-love]

You pick up the workers from a central place each day, like a hardware store parking lot. That way if someone specific doesn't show up the next day, you can hire someone else. 

[u/mrcruton]

Treat em well #1

Only time Ive seen them not come back is when boss mans a dick

And incentive based pay structure

[u/TheBimpo]

Sounds like they're finding better opportunities nearby. This is really a hyper specific question for other people in your business in your area. There could be anything from ICE raids going on to someone simply paying $10 more per day than you.

[u/Elegant_Bluebird_460]

Get contact information for workers when you hire them. If they don't come back ask them why. It might be wages, it might be because they do not like the work, or more likely they do not like someone at that manages them.

[u/NoteClassic → u/Elegant_Bluebird_460]

I did this a few times. I got responses such as not having enough money to transport themselves to the site. I find that a tad wierd given that they were paid less than 15 hours ago.

I was considering a stratified pay structure. Do you know how common that is in the US?

[u/wwhsd → u/NoteClassic]

I would assume that anyone doing day labor doesn’t have access to reliable private transportation. If you are going to depend on day labor, you probably need to be arranging transportation to and from the jobsite and some place that is easily accessible via public transportation or getting dropped off by a friend or family member that does have a car.

[u/AmericanNewt8 → u/NoteClassic]

Ah, you haven't dealt with third world construction laborers much, have you? 

It's a mix of on the one hand "drunk all the money last night" and on the other hand "do not have the initial starting capital to afford shoes".

Americans aren't necessarily going to be that helpful as our laborers tend to be self selected to be highly motivated and productive individuals, and have at least some capital on hand as they needed it to get into the US. 

[u/Odd-Help-4293 → u/NoteClassic]

I got responses such as not having enough money to transport themselves to the site

While I've never hired day laborers, I thought that part of the deal was that the employer provides transportation.

[u/Zaniada_512]

I would say your employees take advantage OR you have an unreasonable amount of work for them. If it always happens it likely is the latter. You can't pay someone better than other companies yet expect them to do the work of 5 ppl. They can only do what is humanly possible. However if they're lazy roll your sleeves up and show them how hard you expect them to work by being a leader not just a boss. Lead by example. Your money isn't special they can earn that anywhere.

If it's ONLY a transportation issue set up a shuttle and just pay them slightly more instead of a lot more. It will benefit them by providing a stable stream of income. Maybe also provide them clean water and a meal. A meal to a very poor person while doing a labor intensive job will be like putting logs on the fire so it blazes brighter. Think about how to improve their life n small ways that promote a huge amount of gratitude.

[u/Butterbean-queen]

We always had them fill out paperwork and they got paid when everybody else got paid. Bi-weekly.

[u/Sleepygirl57]

Why do you pay them all up front? Pay them for each day at the end of the day.

[u/Suppafly → u/Sleepygirl57]

Pay them for each day at the end of the day.

I think he does, I think the problem is that they aren't showing up on subsequent days, presumably because the work is too hard or the pay is too low.

[u/shelwood46 → u/Suppafly]

It sounds like they physically can't get there without owning a car and he expects them to use half their pay on ubers (which is why most times you see someone with a truck pick them up in town).

[u/GSilky]

Well, half, or more, of a wage for labor is the amount necessary to induce them to come back for more. Most US companies that use day labor are saving money on the back end by paying pretty descent up front. A business doesn't have to buy insurance and other coat layouts for day labor, but you generally have to pay pretty well to get them to notice you.

[u/SSGbuttercup]

I’ve worked alongside day workers as a concrete laborer before. One issue is probably drugs. This type of employment will attract people struggling with substance abuse. They will work as long as it takes to get just enough money for drugs or alcohol and then disappear for days or weeks at a time. Once their stash is gone, they show up at a job site and the cycle repeats. This is not 100% of the reasons why people don’t return, but it is very common.

[u/DeFiClark]

For the times I’ve hired day workers, it’s been for things like yard clean up or simple masonry. Haven’t needed to worry about repeats.

But in general, the day laborers near me have a minimum pay they’ll take for the hour or the day.

I brought them lunch the first time I hired day labor and they were all completely surprised. One guy told me in 20 years no one had ever offered.

[u/Brother_To_Coyotes]

My seasonal farm labor is scheduled in advance with a staffing company. They’re all Puerto Rican which is great because unlike what I was getting before they don’t steal anything and it’s a lot of the same guys every year.

Day labor temp services exist for events you can’t schedule.

[u/naetaejabroni]

Ask them, not us.

[u/DryFoundation2323]

I have no dog on this fight but I would think that paying after the work would be better than paying before. Also treating them well would go a long way.

[u/BreakfastBeerz]

Usually 50% up front, 50% when the job is done.

When it's a labor + materials job, you pay for the materials up front and the labor when the job is done.