I think I am a crap boss

[Norton1]

I get so het up about basic things

My employees don't respect the stuff they work with (eg tools, equipment, consumables)

I would understand it if it were a big business but it is a very small business and in my home

I get angry & we end up having arguments about pathetic stuff (like finishing something and putting the empty container away rather than getting a new one out or leaving something out in the rain rather than putting it away when it is finished with)

It is pathetic of me - but I can't get my head around it, they wouldn't do it in their own home - so why do it in mine??

I keep having little "chats" but a day or two later we are back to the beginning & I don't want to come the heavy but I will if I have too

[gothicmama]

no you are not crap perhaps have ateam meeting and describe the situation explore solutions specify actions and clarify the decision this way it makes it a group decision and peopel are more likely to have ownership of teh soluction

[BrummieOnTheRun]

is it the work-related things that you're arguing about, or how they behave in your house?

[moondog]

You don't sound a crap boss to me.
Someone has to take charge and it is obviously you.
Unfortunately,the scenario you describe is depressingly familiar to anyone who has been in charge of a job.

[Norton1]

The work related things would bother me even if we were in a business premises I think - it's just worse as it's my house

Will it always be this way??

[tigermoth]

Do you have any written down rules? if so, have you consulted your employees on the rules - perhaps they could be amended in some way to everyone's benefit.

Do you hold regular weekly team meetings so you have a place for bringing up work issues in a general group setting without getting too personal?

Could you use a whiteboard or flip chart in the room where your staff work, so you can quickly jot down daily reminders as you go - not necessarily critical stuff, just notices about aims and deadlines, info about where to put things aways etc just to keep people focussed and informed.

Even if your business is small and based in your home, you are still the boss.

[Norton1]

I am working on a written procedures - but it feels so pathetic to write

Please flush the loo after you use it
Please put the milk back in the fridge after you make a cup of tea
Please don't put the Mayo jar back in the fridge empty
If you open the last bag of sugar - put it on the shopping list


I guess a meeting is the only answer - but it seems so ......well pathetic is the only word

[gingermonkey]

Are you working with imbeciles?! Surely to God you don't need to tell people to do those things? Flush the toilet?!?!
You are not a crap boss, you just have crap staff

[Norton1]

These are grown women with families - not teenagers

They are good at their jobs - they just treat my house as a cesspit & it pisses me off (bigtime)

[Rhubarb]

What work do they do?

Tbh I wouldn't have staff raiding my fridge and cupboard, they should bring their own stuff.

[Norton1]

We childmind together and I like us to all eat with the children & eat the same food - so I don't mind them using my stuff - but I do need to know when we run out etc

[gingermonkey]

They are women?! And you still have to tell them to flush and put the milk away...if it was men I could probably understand, but not women. I wouldn't want to visit their homes!! I would definately sit them down and tell them straight. It's just plain disrespectful.

[Rhubarb]

They are getting it good by being fed!

Taking liberties. Get 'em told!

[gingermonkey]

And they look after children? I am getting quite upset now! I hope they don't potty train....

[Norton1]

That happens less than the kitchen stuff

But I keep bringing stuff up & it keeps being "Oh i/we didn't realise - it won't happen again" and true - the tom sauce has never been put in the fridge empty again - now it's the mayo

They would never do it in their own home they would whinge if their DH's did

So how do I make it stick (iyswim)

[tigermoth]

How annoying and I am amazed these women don't treat your stuff with more respect.

Can you start having a work kitty for tea/coffee/sauce and a separate shelf in your fridge to keep it? can you make one of them milk monitor, another sauce monitor etc etc to ram home the point?

Or (about the loo flushing or fridg untidyness) can you say you had a parent or social sevices person or ofsted inspector round who wanted to use your bathrooom/fridge etc and was shocked at the state it was in and complained to you. If your premises are not in good order, clean and tidy your business could be closed down. So please can everyone be extra careful to leave things clean and tidy?

Generally IME it is a good idea to blame a picky, finicky but ultimately important third party, if you are afraid of looking too petty and getting too personal.

I think you will have to bite the bullet and hold regular meetings at least - and draw up rules possibly0- it seems that your employees are not aware of your expectations for some reason, or in denial about them.

[nannynick]

Here's a thought. As you (and they) are CM's, How about doing an activity with the children, about tidying up, hygiene (flushing loo, putting milk back in fridge), etc.

Older children could perhaps design signs/posters... so there is a sign on top of the loo, and back of loo door reminding people to Flush and wash their hands.

The 3 year old I care for loves playing Grey Owltwit TidyUp on the computer. Not so good yet at tidying away her play things, but is getting better.

Are you these other peoples employer (as CM's often are self-employed). I expect your arrangement is such that you pay them a wage, produce payslips etc, and thus you can dispense with their services if they don't stick to your rules. You will need to follow disciplinary procedures, though you shouldn't have to really over this sort of thing but if they won't change, then you have to do something. As Registered CM's they have to comply with National Standards, so if they fail to do that - hygiene for example - then it affects both your registration and theirs... so it is in their best interest to comply.

[nannynick]

PS. You may find it worthwhile asking other CM's about this, over at the Childminder/Nannies board .

[edam]

Apart from being incredibly rude, their behaviour suggests a lack of food and general hygiene which is not on, especially not when they are caring for small children. If they aren't flushing the loo, how do you know they are washing their hands?

You are the boss, you need to come down hard. Issue the rules at a formal team meeting and make it clear anyone who slips up will be on a verbal warning (look up the Dept of Trade and Industry website for guidance on disciplinary action). Keep notes recording the meeting and any follow-up. Then if they don't shape up, sack them. Honestly. You have given them every chance to behave like grown-ups, if they continue to take the piss that is their choice - they have decided to put their jobs on the line.