Campfire

[bikerchic777]

Myrtle is a '98 Fleetwood Pace Arrow, 34' Class A, and she has a Ford V10. She has 44,288 miles. Almost everything I own is inside, plus I towed a Dodge Dakota 4x4 behind her. Now, I tow Penny, my Honda Fit. Up steep grades, she will slow down to about 40, but makes it like a champ. I just change her oil once a year and she seems pretty happy.

[gingerK]

Thanks Linda. After going to look at it yesterday, I am going to pass on it. It was in worse shape than the pictures let on and I didn't LOVE it. So it looks like a roadtrip this weekend, if I can arrange it to see the other two. My heart is leaning towards the way overpriced one.

[BarbaraRose]

If you like it, make a lower offer and see what they say.

[Bethers]

I am so much an unhappy camper right now. I don't want to be in a position of losing somewhat good workampers, but it just may happen. I say somewhat good, because the two I had start first have become clones of each other, and constantly nitpick about things. They know enough to get themselves in trouble and if I say I want something done one way, I can be pretty sure it'll be done another. Yesterday, we had some product that will last most of the summer to put up. I said I wanted TWO displays of it - the rest to stay in it's packaging and go to the back to REFILL those two. They made FIVE displays and put them in a place I told them something else would be going. And those three extra displays take up three times the room as backstock. So, I'm going to have to sit down with them - again. One also tried to tell me the laws on break times, etc. I just listened, then that night went to the federal website and got the links to the actual laws - and showed them to her the next day and she still said it was wrong lol. I said some states have more stringent laws, but SD follows the federal and that's what I follow. We give paid breaks - where you have to stay on the premises and you return to work if it gets busy, then take a break again after. That said, we don't say you can't take more time if all the work gets done, but we do specify what is allowed and that if it's abused, we'll strictly enforce break times, etc. If you take over 20 minutes, it starts to be considered unpaid break time - and if you hit 30 minutes, it is definitely unpaid break time. So, after she read all this and argued about it she made sure they took 30+ minute breaks the last two days. I just ignored it figuring that things will be totally different when the store is open. Oh, need I forget that they came in one day at 9 and at 3 (they were both scheduled to 5) they came to me and said they were leaving and I needed to chill - that all the work will get done. And they left. The next day I came back and gave them new schedules and said that they will be working the hours I give them, unless I TELL them they can leave early.

Enough on that part. I was not too upset, knowing that even though they are not being as they should be, I'd get that controlled when the store opens. Then today happened. Everyone is off (except I'm working, because I still have tons to do before next Friday). But I took a trip into Rapid - mainly for things for the store, but also for me. Just came back, dropped off the stuff for the store, then came back to my site. The one next to me has turned her rv around and parked it in what would be the grassy area between her site and mine - so that she and the other woman can share a larger space with picnic tables, etc. OK, maybe not so bad, but her rv is right NEXT to mine. I would not accept this at an rv park. Plus she kept it to the back of the site and angled the opposite direction, so my view out my front window is also mainly her rv - Now the good thing going for me, is I'm at the end, no rv's beyond me. Bad thing it started raining when I got home, and is supposed to rain off and on the rest of today and tomorrow. I'm not going to say anything, unless she does first, but when I have good weather, I will rearrange my rig into a better position to deal with this.

All I can say is rude!!! I've never experienced it in my 10+ years rving. And I've only seen workampers act this way once before and the other workampers just kept shaking their heads. This all said, they are both pretty good workers - so I want to get past this. However, if we sit down and talk and things don't improve, I'll be working even more hours, and very quickly!

Editing to add a picture I just took - I could not drive straight out of my site without damaging both our rigs. This is the view out my front window (from sitting at my dinette).

[avalen]

wow, smh, Beth, I could never do what you do, I'd be either too nice or too mean, there would be no middle of the road learning curve.

[monik7]

Makes me want to come to SD to help you and send them packing. If they get the idea they can walk all over you they will. I worked 25 years in Human Resources. I would sit them down, explain the rules of their working there, and tell them if they chose not to follow those rules, their services will be terminated. I know that would cause problems for you if they're gone, so I understand if you feel you can't go that route. I sure hope it works out. How hard would it be to find replacements? Maybe it would be good to explore that possibility sooner rather than later.
Sandi

[Bethers]

Thanks, you two. I just moved my rig and am much happier again about it's situation ... just wish she had come to me FIRST. As to the rest, I will have no problem letting one or either of them go if the situation doesn't change after we open. I'm here to work, so if it means more for me - and the owner approve some ot for the others, we'll make it work. Would love to have you here, Sandi!

[JudyJB]

How old are these children??? They sound like they are about 13. Plus, they sound like they are testing to see how far they can push you, just like a teenager would do. Except, that most of the teenagers I know are more mature than that.

Sounds like you need a contingency plan to have someone else fill in since it looks like this will NOT last the summer! I agree with Sandi that if this behavior continues, you should send them packing.

[longdog2]

Beth....wouldn't it be better to let them know that you will be looking for new workampers before the store opens? Lots of people are probably still looking for workamping spots but further into the season they will have found them. Presenting you with different ideas to consider is one thing but deliberately ignoring your instructions is subversive. It will only get worse. I'd start by telling them they must have misunderstood you and they need to redo the work right away. The response will let you know if you need to let them go immediately. As far as the RV sites go, turning your RV around to make a group area might be acceptable but reducing the space between your RVs by parking on the grass and deliberately angling her back towards the front of your rig is more than rude. Being a supervisor can be stressful. Good luck

[WickedLady]

Beth, fire one and ask the other if she wants to work or leave also.

[Bethers]

I intend to talk to both of them individually on Monday. How they respond will determine whether they stay, Colleen. Then if one responds poorly, chances are the other will find out after and follow suit. I know they both badly need the money. So, yes, I'm handling it nicer than I would otherwise. But they have to listen to me and realize I am the boss. I realized when I took this position that I'd be dealing with this - one reason it's kind of nice to just be a worker lol ... but I've owned and managed businesses most of my adult life - not going to be walked on now.

That said, it's raining outside and I just looked out my windows and can see 7 deer (may be more but that's what I easily count) in the area in front of my rv under the trees. Love it. Not going to let these two ruin my stay here - whether they stay or go.

But I DID buy my first beer in months and months today and am on my second one lol

Thanks for suggestions and ideas - and yes, Judy, I'm totally shocked by the behavior for the ages. And, I will fire one Monday if it comes to that.

Get this - yesterday they told me to lock the cheap door between the laundromat and the store - as I'd told them they could go in today and do laundry. They didn't want anyone to think they could be stealing. I looked at them and said, the key fits the door to both outside entrances. Either I can trust you with the key or I can't?

[BarbaraRose]

Wow, that sucks! I agree that you need to nip this in the bud. The sooner you put them in thier place or get rid of them, the better. It will be a long, stressful summer if you have to constantly put up with that crap.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[JudyJB]

Sounds like the beer is helping. I once had an internal client who always drove me to chocolate from the office vending machine!

Whatever works!

[monik7]

On Monday, I would suggest that you have something already prepared in writing directed to each one individually stating that this is serious based on recent incidences of unsatisfactory performance (if you want you could include specific details). It should state that it's a written warning and have it cover whatever rules you want them to follow, information on breaks and scheduling, what their duties will or potentially will be adding that based on circumstances that may come up they may be required to perform certain duties not specifically stated in this warning, and anything else you think should be included. Try to include as much as you can to cover any potential future problems with them. I would also have it say that if they refuse to sign the warning and to comply from that date on, they will be terminated immediately. Each should be required to sign and date this warning. You should also sign and date. Keep the original and give each a copy. Good luck.
Sandi

[snowball]

I'm sure you've considered this but in dealing with "children" sometimes they need to be split so give them different
schedules so they don't work together
sheila