Update an staff on the farm

Kiwi Phil

Commander
Joined
Jun 23, 2003
Messages
2,182
In relation to other topics on employers, employees etc, thought I would bring you up to date with our situation.

This is a long read so give it a miss if you wish.

Remember over a year ago, the SIL lost his fancy exec job. Well he left about 3 weeks ago (after maybe 14months) to work in admin with Police Dept, on just less than 50% of his previous exec job, less the flash company car of course.
He worked out ok, and to date he hasn?t lost his house, but they are hell bent on NOT reforming their spending habits.

Next was the long term worker John?remember the personal hygiene problems, then he came of his bike and broke his hip maybe 1 year back.
Just didn?t turn up one day. Tracked him down several weeks later. Told him to keep in touch and he didn?t.
He had always had trouble with his eye, for a long time.
Wore those cheap disposable contact lenses that gave him blue eyes, but obviously covered up something else.
Well decided to go see him 3 weeks back, and HE IS NOW BLIND in one EYE.
I understand (he says no) the lens would not come out, and he wouldn?t get it seen too, and when they had him on the op table for his femur break, the surgeon and anaesthetist recognised he had a problem.
He has been thru depression, and of course his eye is completely white-gone-finished.
The wife and I are absolutely horrified!!
This is absolute B/S!!.
The wife sat opposite him for lunch and smoko for yrs and over the past maybe 2 yrs, she use to say ?what?s wrong with your eye John?. ?I want to take you to my Dr John? and he refused and refused.
So, to shorten up the story, I have got him back as a casual picker. He is going ok, and he has shot out of his depression?.well when he is here anyway?and I got to be honest, I enjoy his company and nature?..wife says we just have to learn to stand up-wind, and don?t complain when we forget.

Now for the 3rd one.
Wife volunteers at the private school library and is friendly with the Librarian.
She asks about work for her son, R, ?.not doing so well. So take him on.
BM! This young bloke is in top 1%, did an accelerated Physics degree (I think that?s what they called it), then in to the Airforce as trainee officer, and did an engineering degree in avionics (the electronic, not airframe), and at 22 decides he wants out to follow his passion?.acting?Shakespeare?writing plays?..so enrols in that famous London theatre or something, finishes that, then over to the Shakespeare whatever.
But wait, there?s more.
He is also a Rugby Footballer (hooker), plus a Surf Life Saver and Life Guard at Pools in summer.
And he is struggling with life.
Well, we had him as a casual for 7 months and he was excellent value.
He is a true leader?.definitely mature officer material ?.decisive ?and intelligent.
I grew to admire him.
His other 3 mates with same grade (that was all that year) went in to medicine, and he didn?t. He knew what he would earn as a specialist, but he told me there was no way he wanted to spend his life dealing with sick people.
I also have him tutor my boy in maths, and during work, another drop-kick of a kid I inherited to try and get his life on track.
Anyway R left 2 weeks back to work for a US company (you will all know?can?t say) and he is on antiballistic electronics or something, and absolutely loving it, and following his acting passion in his spare time.
This family is actually better for knowing this young man.



Now for #4 Br.
Very intelligent 17yo?good family?..no financial problem?everything nice, and this little richard-head is in nothing but trouble.
Been fired from 2 apprenticeships.
Applied for the Airforce as Armourer, turned down?.no grade 10 maths and English.
Applies Army as driver?.same except he needed grade 9 maths and English.
Then he asks to borrow against his wages (Mum and Dad away for a weeks holiday) and it comes out he was caught drinking alcohol on the street by the cops, and did a runner?.cop chased him and yelled, ?drop to the ground or I will shoot you with the tazer?, and he did.
I asked him about the tazer ?really bad, they have fits on the ground for ages?.
He tells me he was at a party that developed into a riot, and 2 of his mates got dropped with them, and when he went over to them the dog handler screamed at him to leave immediately of he would let the dog on him.
I have a deal with this kid. First, as he is 18 in 4 weeks, I told him from then on out, when the cops grab him, he is off to the big-boys jail, and as he is a tall slim good looking kid, someones going to bend him over the heaters pretty quickly.
He went a bit white on hearing that.
I had already got him to enrol in the adult school 2 days per week and have given him work on another 2.5days per week so long as there is no wagging, and I am paying him above the award so he has extra in his pocket.
I also had R (from #3 above) give him lessons in the shed in work time.
Everything is going well so far, so hopefully it will continue.
He is actually academically clever (Mums a Bank Manager?took a year off to be home for him?.didn?t work).
I did have problems with him? late? all day texting?rules are, no phone or ipod on the job. He does work well, and wife and I would love to see him turn out ok.

Then comes #5 L.
She is lovely. Was wifes cleaner (still is) and wanted extra, so is another casual. Divorced. Her and ex had Carpet Franchise, so her lifes changed.

Wife and I think to our selves, at our ages, if it wasn?t for these interesting people, life would be pretty mundane around here, and it will probably be completely different in 3 months time.

Cheers
Phillip
 

Thad

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
1,028
Re: Update an staff on the farm

Sounds like you and the Mrs. are quite special. You go above and beyond the "norm" and take a true caring intrest in people. That is not only rare in an employer, but sadly, people in general these days.

I commend the two of you and wish you well.

I remember reading last year about the things you mentioned. Saddly, you cannot help those who will not help themselves:(. Hope they come around sooner or later.

As for John, don't give up on him. Sounds like he really needs a friend or two. Which it sounds as if he does. Kepp helping him to appreciate life and all its gifts.

Best of luck to you and yours.

Thad
 
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