Thread: Are our tradies getting paid too much

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

you be the judge.
Attachment 43237
outside my local Supercheap today...

Bugger I was home most of the day, you should have popped in around the corner for a cold beverage.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

The YT's would be giving a presentation of some new & great initiative that was to work wonders when a grizzled veteran would pipe up " We tried that under ( another name) in 1983 and it was a disaster. Got quietly dropped before the Minister's career was stuffed"

great, now Im also a grizzled veteran.

Woody, consider yourself welcome to pop over thisweeked, it'll be eye opening for you.

Originally Posted by roverfan

Not from my experience, the over 50s complained more about trivial things, would not adapt to changes and generally would not accept any feedback.

Obviously not all of them, just the ones I had experience with. I'd prefer to employ a young, keen kid anyday.

For obvious reason I won't be too specific. I have experience in a workforce from early 20's to mid 60's.

Evidence in my world, is that the employees in their 50's & 60's have lower sick leave, more flexible in working requirements(changes to shifts, extra hours etc), work independently and usually more aware, supportive, resilient and excepting of change. I could say they dont whinge as much as the Gen Y's but that would be a inappropriate sweeping generalisation, wouldn't it?

There are lots of reasons for this: kids grown up, less likely to have a bender on the weekend, mortgage paid off or not as much a burden, they know their job bloody well(Hey Brian we're agreeing), they've usually seen plenty of change already in their career another change aint so much of a drama.

If I was an employer I would be snapping up the unemployed, skilled guys/gals in there late 40's early 50's. You're likely to get 15 to 20 years of good work out of 'em. Even if it does mean 6 to 12 months investment in retraining.
Are you as likely to get the same commitment & longevity out of a 25 year old before they want to move on with their career?
I know, we shouldn't generalise. But we gotta stop throwing these 40+ year olds on the scrap heap. Greyheads have plenty to offer!

Here's my slant.

We charge out at $105/ hr. If I was to take into account the amount of work and work associated activity I do every week I personally would see less than $10/hr.

Working for yourself is a choice, I am lucky I enjoy it BUT it is hard.

I get very upset when people point at my $32,000 secondhand Lexus and make comments about my hourly rate

I say let ANYONE who is working for themselves have as much enjoyment of life as they can, I haven't even mentioned the obvious stress related illnesses and problems that crop up from self employment, shortening ones lifespan and taking them away from their families.

Leave them alone.

JC

and yet the unions cry foul when a major airline trys to outsource jobs overseas cos they can get cheaper labour rates elswhere. but lets not start on that old chestnut again.

Originally Posted by justinc

Here's my slant.

We charge out at $105/ hr. If I was to take into account the amount of work and work associated activity I do every week I personally would see less than $10/hr.

Working for yourself is a choice, I am lucky I enjoy it BUT it is hard.

I get very upset when people point at my $32,000 secondhand Lexus and make comments about my hourly rate

I say let ANYONE who is working for themselves have as much enjoyment of life as they can, I haven't even mentioned the obvious stress related illnesses and problems that crop up from self employment, shortening ones lifespan and taking them away from their families.

Leave them alone.

JC

Well said.
As a self employed electrical contractor i charge myself out at $77ph and customers sometimes complain how dear that is.By the time you take out 10% gst, pay liscences,insurances,continual training,maintenance,running an office,phones and all the expenses people must think are free.Not to mention you are dealing with a leathal product that if you do something wrong could easily kill you or someone 200mtrs away.The actual rate is lucky to be half that.I do enjoy me job(mostly)and my standard and quality of work must be good enough that i am always super busy to the point that i can pick and choose my work to an extent.I am one of the higher priced contractors with some still running their own businesses for $40ph.I always use the saying you get what u pay for, or your not paying for what i do.your paying for what i know.
I often hire other contractors to help out with bigger jobs and have found through personal experience that the 40-55 year old contractors are the better value as they know their stuff and often have a better work ethic.
This is just my experience tho.
I live very comfortably at this rate but i guess i also live within my means.
Regards
Eck

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

How old are you? If you are a young manager trying to give feedback to a 50+ tradesman is the proverbial trying to teach grannie to suck eggs. He most likely knows more and better and regards you as a bloody ignorant upstart.

At big shops where I worked as a young fitter, if you had a problem you automatically went to the old guys for advice and help. They knew the job.

The older Pensions Officers at DSS were disliked by the young turks from Procedures and Policy in state offices and Canberra.The YT's would be giving a presentation of some new & great initiative that was to work wonders when a grizzled veteran would pipe up " We tried that under ( another name) in 1983 and it was a disaster. Got quietly dropped before the Minister's career was stuffed"

I should have clarified i wasnt in trades, Finance and Insurance. But yes i was seen as the young upstart

Originally Posted by justinc

Here's my slant.

We charge out at $105/ hr. If I was to take into account the amount of work and work associated activity I do every week I personally would see less than $10/hr.

Working for yourself is a choice, I am lucky I enjoy it BUT it is hard.

I get very upset when people point at my $32,000 secondhand Lexus and make comments about my hourly rate

I say let ANYONE who is working for themselves have as much enjoyment of life as they can, I haven't even mentioned the obvious stress related illnesses and problems that crop up from self employment, shortening ones lifespan and taking them away from their families.

Leave them alone.

JC

i had my own business then the global financial crash smashed me against the rocks - starting from scratch again at 46 (at the time) left the NT with little more than our cars and clothes. thats part of the risk of being self employed so I will take the reward as well