Off Limit Topics With And In Front of a Customer
When you are working at a customer site, particularly a residence, are there specific topics that you tell your employees are not to be discussed with or in front of the customer? For example: politics, religion, comments about their family pictures, ‘salty’ language, etc.
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But over the years and throughout the industry I've heard all sorts of things within earshot of a customer or the topic of conversation.
but on my jobs I'm probably the one that needs to pause and think. All the subs conduct themselves properly and I do not have to worry. Leaves way more time to be concerned about job itself.
have only had to ask once that one of my guys not talk about his weekend in front of customers...aside from that language is the only thing I have requested they show restraint with.
Subs or employees that smoke i ask they do by their vehicles and make sure they dispose of the butts in empty cans,bottles or their vehicles.
Sure
Politics can be a fire starter and excessive swearing is frowned upon. Spitting chewing tobacco all over the place is also something to be aware of if you are the contractor.
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You Are Welcome
I was wondering if I was being too conservative/sensitive/prudish and wanted to know what others thought about this.
Inappropriate jokes seem to be the most common thing that cause troubles.
common sense rules....
I've worked with the rudest and the crudest with little problem. Maybe it's because we tend to be more polite in the South or just know to bridle your tongue in the bible belt 'til you know your listener.
One problem I did have is workers saying too much about the work to the customer. Sometimes they are better off not knowing all the problems we encounter.
A mason contractor I know was setting a massive stone for a fire place mantel. 3 guys on each end, new guy was watching the index mark and guiding placement into the wet mortar bed. [ You wouldn't trust a new guy rookie for the lift so he gets a fool proof job.] Homeowner and wife were watching raptly, this big stone is important to them. New guy hollers out "#### hair to the left.! " Luckily homeowner was a sport about it.
Off Limit Topics
oldhand wrote:
I've worked with the rudest and the crudest with little problem. Maybe it's because we tend to be more polite in the South or just know to bridle your tongue in the bible belt 'til you know your listener.
One problem I did have is workers saying too much about the work to the customer. Sometimes they are better off not knowing all the problems we encounter.
A mason contractor I know was setting a massive stone for a fire place mantel. 3 guys on each end, new guy was watching the index mark and guiding placement into the wet mortar bed. [ You wouldn't trust a new guy rookie for the lift so he gets a fool proof job.] Homeowner and wife were watching raptly, this big stone is important to them. New guy hollers out "#### hair to the left.! " Luckily homeowner was a sport about it.
How did you handle the workers saying too much about the work to the customer? I assume you spoke to your worker. Did you ever say anything to the customer and did this involve 'throwing your worker under the bus'?
all depends..
But I'd be unlikely to throw a worker under the bus. Ethics trump money usually.
Clients vary all over the place as to what offends them - many of my best clients do not have a desire to hear anything off color or that wouldn't be acceptable in a family rated movie. Nicer remodels require perhaps the most attention to what's said on site and many good carpenters aren't invited to the party because they have social skills that are lacking. Many construction workers fail to put themselves in the mindset of the client so I tell them to keep personal conversations to themselves. Smoke somewhere else, chew on your own time, tell off color jokes at the bar, listen to music quietly, and focus on the job rather than making conversation.
loud radios at 6 AM in a subdivision.
leaving/throwing coffee cups and trash in the hvac system
that's manners vs. vandalism
loud radios may be rude but throwing trash in the hvac is definitely malpractice. Any worker doing that more than once needs firing.