Random Thoughts - Part Deux [NO POLITICS]

[JD001]

Originally Posted by humfrz

That's assuming there is any ripened fruit to pick -

My life revolves around "assumptions", I'm kinda of a "glass half full " type. This played out recently at work, I'm in a pool of 3 going through the redundancy process. I suggest to the other 2, why don't we put forward reduced working week.. this way we can save one job. The suggestion initially met with a damp, lukewarm response. I then offer to take the greater hit ie I work 2 days whilst my "pool" colleagues work 4 days thus we save 5 days a week... Again a rather negative but a reluctant agreement!! My pool buddies much rather see one person out instead of looking at a reduced income and keeping the 3 employed.. it's not as if we would be part-time for a long period.. Only until the work picks up..

Anyway, find out this week if the company will entertain part-time hours or one of us is out... Again "glass half full", if it's me then great as it gives me an opportunity to do something else... Go fruit picking or something..

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by JD001

My life revolves around "assumptions", I'm kinda of a "glass half full " type. This played out recently at work, I'm in a pool of 3 going through the redundancy process. I suggest to the other 2, why don't we put forward reduced working week.. this way we can save one job. The suggestion initially met with a damp, lukewarm response. I then offer to take the greater hit ie I work 2 days whilst my "pool" colleagues work 4 days thus we save 5 days a week... Again a rather negative but a reluctant agreement!! My pool buddies much rather see one person out instead of looking at a reduced income and keeping the 3 employed.. it's not as if we would be part-time for a long period.. Only until the work picks up..

Anyway, find out this week if the company will entertain part-time hours or one of us is out... Again "glass half full", if it's me then great as it gives me an opportunity to do something else... Go fruit picking or something..

Well, that is a tough call. My thought is that it would be better for all three of you to take reduced hours, rather that one get laid off. That's what "team" work is all about.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, that is a tough call. My thought is that it would be better for all three of you to take reduced hours, rather that one get laid off. That's what "team" work is all about.

That's was my thinking too.. but the other two aren't of that thinking.. I sensed that they begrudgingly considered my suggestion. I have a feeling that as I'm the new kid in their team, just joined back in March, they're of the mindset that I am the weakest therefore will be out.. Who knows.. It's times like this that one sees the true and varied colours that is the tapestry of life...

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, that is a tough call. My thought is that it would be better for all three of you to take reduced hours, rather that one get laid off. That's what "team" work is all about.

It would depend on whether the 1 is a furlough (going to be called back) or a reduction in staff. Salary isn't the only thing to consider. Keeping 3 part time employees but retaining their benefit and government payments (Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment, etc) isn't really a 1/3rd reduction in cost.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by JD001

That's was my thinking too.. but the other two aren't of that thinking.. I sensed that they begrudgingly considered my suggestion. I have a feeling that as I'm the new kid in their team, just joined back in March, they're of the mindset that I am the weakest therefore will be out.. Who knows.. It's times like this that one sees the true and varied colours that is the tapestry of life...

Lol it's going to be whoever gets paid the most. Doesn't matter how long you worked there.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

It would depend on whether the 1 is a furlough (going to be called back) or a reduction in staff. Salary isn't the only thing to consider. Keeping 3 part time employees but retaining their benefit and government payments (Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment, etc) isn't really a 1/3rd reduction in cost.

We went through this exercise not long ago. It is even tougher for us being employee owned. We have some new employees from growing the past few years. If we lay off 20% or more of our staff it automatically vests the shares of all the employees that got laid off, regardless of how long they have been there. So we would end up paying them out, and it doesn't pencil unless this downturn lasts for a couple years for us. And we can't lay off enough people to make a significant difference in payroll to save us money without going over 20%, and going to 32 hour work weeks doesn't save enough for the moral drop it would cause. It is mostly just easier to do what we are doing now even though we are very slow.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

It would depend on whether the 1 is a furlough (going to be called back) or a reduction in staff. Salary isn't the only thing to consider. Keeping 3 part time employees but retaining their benefit and government payments (Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment, etc) isn't really a 1/3rd reduction in cost.

Originally Posted by Spuds

Lol it's going to be whoever gets paid the most. Doesn't matter how long you worked there.

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

We went through this exercise not long ago. It is even tougher for us being employee owned. We have some new employees from growing the past few years. If we lay off 20% or more of our staff it automatically vests the shares of all the employees that got laid off, regardless of how long they have been there. So we would end up paying them out, and it doesn't pencil unless this downturn lasts for a couple years for us. And we can't lay off enough people to make a significant difference in payroll to save us money without going over 20%, and going to 32 hour work weeks doesn't save enough for the moral drop it would cause. It is mostly just easier to do what we are doing now even though we are very slow.

I think that the company is restructuring, using the current situation as an excuse to drop employee numbers. In the bigger scheme of things, the drop they are wanting is circa 6.5%... it just doesn't make sense but as soon as you factor in change of structure then things fall into place.

I have a feeling that I may be the most expensive in my little pool. Anyway, either way I'm not concerned. Keep you all posted with developments.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

................. I think the soil needs a lot of work for next year. Plus I need to trim the nearby trees for more light.
@humfrz, what do you suggest for the soil?

.

Yep, that is strange looking soil you have there. It looks more like dry concrete -

However, that's the soil that you were dealt and since the surrounding area is in agricultural production, that indicates it can be managed.

Step 1 - get a soil pH reading. pH test kits are usually available at most garden centers or you can order them on line. The ideal pH for most home garden crops is around 6.8. Adjust the soil pH as necessary. Usually soils are too acidic, if so lime will adjust the pH. Do this in the fall.

Step 2 - test for at least the three major nutrients (N-P-K), nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Sometimes the county agricultural office will offer testing services or there are commercial labs to do the testing. Add the appropriate type and amount of fertilizer in the spring before planting.

Step 3 - soil conditioning and organic matter. Add as much soil amendments as you can afford or have the energy to apply. These amendments can come in the form of peat moss or bagged (or bulk) other stuff like manure. Till in the organic material anytime prior to planting.

Step 4 - drainage. Depending of the draining capacity of the soil, deep rototilling will help. Placing new plants on hills sometimes is necessary in poorly drained soils.

Step 5 - plant only plants that are adapted to the region.

Ya got all of that.

OR

You could garden humfrz style (pre 65 years old).

Go to an agricultural supply store and get a couple of pick-ups full of whatever bulk organic material they have on hand. Have your son scatter it out in the garden area. Purchase a few bags of lime and have your son scatter that around over the garden area. While you are there, buy a couple of bags of balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10) (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) for use in the spring.

Rent a HD rototiller and have your son rototill in the soil amendments (DEEP rototilling, just not scratching around over the surface).

OR

Garden humfrz style (post 65 years old)

Put key in ignition and drive to the closest fruit/produce stand or supermarket and buy what you like and looks good.

[ichitaka05]

My wife's nesting... so we'll be remodeling our current house and prob sell em next Spring or Summer. Got a lot to do & buy this holiday season.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Yep, that is strange looking soil you have there. It looks more like dry concrete -

However, that's the soil that you were dealt and since the surrounding area is in agricultural production, that indicates it can be managed.

Step 1 - get a soil pH reading. pH test kits are usually available at most garden centers or you can order them on line. The ideal pH for most home garden crops is around 6.8. Adjust the soil pH as necessary. Usually soils are too acidic, if so lime will adjust the pH. Do this in the fall.

Step 2 - test for at least the three major nutrients (N-P-K), nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Sometimes the county agricultural office will offer testing services or there are commercial labs to do the testing. Add the appropriate type and amount of fertilizer in the spring before planting.

Step 3 - soil conditioning and organic matter. Add as much soil amendments as you can afford or have the energy to apply. These amendments can come in the form of peat moss or bagged (or bulk) other stuff like manure. Till in the organic material anytime prior to planting.

Step 4 - drainage. Depending of the draining capacity of the soil, deep rototilling will help. Placing new plants on hills sometimes is necessary in poorly drained soils.

Step 5 - plant only plants that are adapted to the region.

Ya got all of that.

OR

You could garden humfrz style (pre 65 years old).

Go to an agricultural supply store and get a couple of pick-ups full of whatever bulk organic material they have on hand. Have your son scatter it out in the garden area. Purchase a few bags of lime and have your son scatter that around over the garden area. While you are there, buy a couple of bags of balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10) (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) for use in the spring.

Rent a HD rototiller and have your son rototill in the soil amendments (DEEP rototilling, just not scratching around over the surface).

OR

Garden humfrz style (post 65 years old)

Put key in ignition and drive to the closest fruit/produce stand or supermarket and buy what you like and looks good.

Or get some pigs and/or chickens.. they'll do the hard work and fertilise the soil for free. And you'll get bacon/chicken once they've done their business in your cabbage patch.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

My wife's nesting... so we'll be remodeling our current house and prob sell em next Spring or Summer. Got a lot to do & buy this holiday season.

Hopefully your remodel goes better then mine.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

My wife's nesting... so we'll be remodeling our current house and prob sell em next Spring or Summer. Got a lot to do & buy this holiday season.

Isn't the the baby due in March?

If so, then, you want to move in the spring?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Hopefully your remodel goes better then mine.

Story??

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Story??

Found out the house only has 2/3-3/4's of a foundation The majority I can see since the house is on a slope and didn't think anything of it until I went to side it and put new windows last weekend.

Utilities getting marked this week, excavator coming late this week. Hopefully building the forms for the footings this weekend. Pouring the footings early next week. Then I get to jack that part of the house and lay block. FML