This week’s episode is a bit different, as I’m dealing with some heavy emotions. Our 15-year-old dog is scheduled to be put to sleep, and it’s been an emotional rollercoaster. We’re trying to make her as comfortable as possible, and she’ll be at home where she feels safe.
Running a business is never without its challenges. Recently, we’ve had issues with employees not showing up to work, taking home essential equipment keys, and being unreachable. It’s been quite stressful, and I’ve reached a breaking point. As a business owner, I’m fed up with being mistreated by employees.
We’ve invested in HR guidance because I believe in outsourcing what you’re not an expert in, to save time and money. But what happens when employees treat you poorly? It feels like there are no consequences for them. For instance, we decided to close down the soft landscaping side of our business, partly due to the resignation of the manager. He tried to poach our employees and emailed himself a copy of our client database after resigning, which is incredibly disrespectful.
I’ve reported this to the ICO, but there’s little I can do unless I catch him using the data. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to send cease and desist letters for similar breaches. It’s infuriating to see employees feel entitled to take what we’ve worked so hard to build.
One of our employees didn’t show up today without any notice, affecting our clients and operations. There seems to be no consequence for their actions, which is unfair. I’ve consulted our HR department, but it’s another layer of frustration for small business owners like us. We want to create a positive environment for our employees, offering decent pay, pension schemes, and career progression opportunities. Yet, we’re often painted as villains.
I’ve faced betrayals before, like when some landscapers set up a competing business while I was in hospital after having my second child. They timed their actions perfectly to exploit our vulnerable situation, demanding a pay rise and manipulating circumstances. This incident still stings, reminding me of the challenges in trusting employees.
Recently, our apprentices need to be placed in different roles because we’re no longer offering soft landscaping. One apprentice wanted to continue as a hard landscaper but then changed his mind without communicating openly. This lack of honesty complicates everything and undermines the trust we try to build. It’s disheartening, especially when you’ve invested so much in building a business and providing for your team.
As business owners, we face countless challenges, but it's how we rise above them that defines our success. While it’s easy to feel disheartened by setbacks and betrayals, remember that our resilience and dedication are what keep our businesses thriving.
If you’ve faced similar struggles or have any thoughts to share, please reach out. We are stronger together, and your stories and support can make a difference.
The Landscaper’s Coach & Podcast
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