StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,664 
Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Dec 7, 2018 17:33:18 GMT
I've officially hired my first employee and am currently designing a bigger office space. I've currently got her set up in my office but I'm a little nervous, I've always had to just do my job but never worked with someone else day in and day out.
I can use the bigger office myself, or I can keep this office as her office and then use the bigger one for mine or I can use this room for a storage/packing/mailing room and set us both up in the larger office. The only downfall is that they're on opposite sides of the house so we'd have to communicate via intercom if we have separate offices. The plus side is that I wouldn't have someone in my office at the same time. I'm not sure how I'm feeling about that.
She's got a desk with a heated massage chair, technology, her phone is on the way, she's signed her confidentiality agreement, salary agreement, and her background check is clean. We've got a coffee/tea/hot chocolate bar set up and plenty of snacks that she knows she is welcome to-- what am I not thinking of?
I would like her to stay around for the rest of my life I think, I'm eager to not have to deal with some of the more tedious parts of my business so that I can focus on income producing activities. She's my opposite when it comes to strengths and struggles, so I'm eager to get her organization in here and to have her dealing with paperwork. Argh.
Big steps, big worries right?
Tell me what your boss could have done to make your transition to a new work environment smoother?
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Post by 950nancy on Dec 7, 2018 18:13:50 GMT
My boss is pulled a hundred different ways. He is so busy. I was hired at a time when everything was changing and my team was just trying to get their poop in a group. There wasn't enough time for me to learn anything and I just got tossed gently into the fray. Make sure you take a lot of time to explain and re explain the things that are most important to you. If she asks a question, sit down next to her and talk. When people answer questions they often look like they are inconvenienced and trying to get away even when they aren't. My boss says that people join a company and quit a boss.
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,029
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Post by scrappyesq on Dec 7, 2018 18:18:01 GMT
My boss is pulled a hundred different ways. He is so busy. I was hired at a time when everything was changing and my team was just trying to get their poop in a group. There wasn't enough time for me to learn anything and I just got tossed gently into the fray. Make sure you take a lot of time to explain and re explain the things that are most important to you. If she asks a question, sit down next to her and talk. When people answer questions they often look like they are inconvenienced and trying to get away even when they aren't. My boss says that people join a company and quit a boss. I can't emphasize this more. I love my boss but my first two months or so were spent trying to figure out my ass from my elbow. She never 'trained' me so I had to figure out most things on my own. It's fine now but it would have been helpful when I first got there. |
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Post by busy on Dec 7, 2018 18:57:04 GMT
Did she pick the chair? If not, I’d be sure to give her an option to swap it out if she wants. There’s nothing worse than having a chair that isn’t comfortable for you.
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Post by busy on Dec 7, 2018 18:59:12 GMT
Even with tiny teams, it’s impeotant to document things and have some loose policies so expectations are clear and consistent. It saves frustration and confusion down the road.
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Post by KelleeM on Dec 7, 2018 19:00:34 GMT
I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it. If I need assistance or direction I ask. The best thing my boss ever did for our working relationship and my mental health was to acknowledge my abilities and leave me alone. I have no issue whatsoever stopping something and starting something else and do it all the time. She knows she can rely on me and trusts me. I have never loved my work environment more than I do right now.
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Post by mrssmith on Dec 7, 2018 19:16:53 GMT
Even with tiny teams, it’s impeotant to document things and have some loose policies so expectations are clear and consistent. It saves frustration and confusion down the road. Yes! It will also help you should anything go awry down the road.
I would do separate offices. It would make me nuts to be in the same room, unless it's a sizeable space. It also depends if you or she is chatty. I am not, and would not want to share with a supper chatty person. I temporarily shared an office with someone who narrated her whole life under her breath.
My boss also is not a micromanager and is always open to suggestions.
Congrats for having an employee.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Dec 7, 2018 19:24:04 GMT
Seperate office for sure.
Now this is your first employee so you will both be on a learning curve.
It's important you take the time to trainer her properly.
Give her a general idea of what you are looking for in organizational concept.
And I've read that this is in your house? I've done this work out of someone's home. It is an adjustment.
Oh and find out what kind of office supplies she likes. In my office we have 4 different kinds of pens to accommodate
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,664
Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Dec 7, 2018 19:30:07 GMT
Even with tiny teams, it’s impeotant to document things and have some loose policies so expectations are clear and consistent. It saves frustration and confusion down the road. I'm working on finishing a policies and procedures manual this weekend. My goal is to have everything laid out in writing so that anyone can walk in my office and complete the regular tasks. She didn't choose the chair but she will be able to. When I move offices I've got the conference table and desks picked out but will let her decide on a chair. |
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Post by mrssmith on Dec 7, 2018 20:00:51 GMT
Oh and find out what kind of office supplies she likes. In my office we have 4 different kinds of pens to accommodate Wow - that's nice. We get Paper Mate's and that's it! LOL. Oh, and sometimes we can scrounge up a thin Sharpie. I love pens... Our new supply person also switched to yellow paper pads instead of white.  #1stworldproblems |
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Dec 7, 2018 20:14:12 GMT
I would write up a list of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly tasks that are expected to be done.
Perhaps on a dry erase, so you can edit as needed.
Job duties. (input orders, filing, handling calls from downline, whatever else you expect your staff to do).
---Sub-categorize daily tasks, if necessary (meaning...note: input orders and synch with Miss Stephs computer/excel(or whatever program you use).
---Paperwork, sort into categories: Immediately attention required, file weekly, shred, etc...
You are the boss. Meaning you manage. You delegate. You decide. Your rules are to be followed.
Address issues immediately.
--- If she shows up nine minutes late. Address it immediately. Otherwise sliding in a few late, will becomes a frequent habit(cause Miss Steph don't care). But, Miss Steph does care, because it impacts business. Business is business and time is money. Give an inch, they take a mile.
--- Communication is everything. One doesn't know what another is thinking or feeling. Communicate with your staff. How's everything going? Is there any task that you're not understanding? Do you have everything you need, that allows you to do your job to the best of your abilities?
At the same time, as a working Mom, be understanding. Make allowances for occasions. Yes you can arrive an hour early (or work through lunch hour), so you can leave an hour early and go to your kids ball game, recital. Doctor appt, etc...).
Being the owner, boss, manager is not for the faint of heart. It's a fine balance of give and take. Appreciating your staff, all while managing them and expecting them to complete their duties. A happy staff, makes for a good work atmosphere , camaraderie and productivity.
A boss on a power trip and lacking empathy, creates hostility and resentment.
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Post by coaliesquirrel on Dec 7, 2018 20:47:38 GMT
If you're hiring her to do the tedious, paperwork type stuff and she's your opposite, then you probably shouldn't be working in the same room. I'm thinking you probably take/make a lot of calls, video calls/webinars/FB lives, and that would be pretty distracting to someone trying to concentrate on the details for you. I wouldn't worry about an intercom system, though. Why not just use IM? To be fair, I'm an introvert and what I like best about my office right now (even more because I know they're planning to take them away) is my WALLS. I would not (will not) be happy sharing the same visual & auditory space as other people when I'm trying to work.
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Post by workingclassdog on Dec 7, 2018 20:55:52 GMT
I love my coat rack. SERIOUSLY.. I do. Before I was promoted to my new job, my coat was always floating around... HAHA..
Otherwise, there is much to enjoy about my physical office. It's inside a prison. State funds. So yeah, everything is probably 20 years old. Good computer though. And we can have decent pens. I have my own scanner and a printer which is wonderful. Otherwise, the only thing I have done to make my space livable is buying some of those wall stickers to liven up the place.
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Post by ladytrisha on Dec 7, 2018 20:56:39 GMT
Be clear with directions and what you need. Pick a catch up time each week, or bi-weekly, so you're both on the same page with things to be done, etc. Hopefully she'll take notes - that's when you know you have a keeper. I can't believe the amount of people who think it's bad to take notes or ask questions. UGH. My boss tends to forward me emails. Then I have to find him, chase him down and ask "so what did you want me to do with this?", tells me to file things - but doesn't say where, etc. My boss says that people join a company and quit a boss. This is spot on! Love my job, love my company but I want to pull my hair out or pull the Mom card some days on him LOL |
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,516
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Dec 7, 2018 21:16:49 GMT
Pick a catch up time each week, or bi-weekly, so you're both on the same page with things to be done, etc. I was going to post exactly this. Boss gets to keep her finger on the pulse of what's happening, and employee gets to find out what the boss' priorities are for the week. It gives employee the space to say, "If I take the time to do tasks A, B, and C, it's unlikely that I will also have time to accomplish D." Then Boss gets to decide which of A, B, C, or D gets left undone (or picked up by Herself), rather than finding out after the fact that there was not time for D - and maybe D was Boss' most important thing. P.S. Congrats on your booming business - exciting times!! |
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Post by lurker on Dec 7, 2018 21:41:00 GMT
I wish I had known you were hiring cause I would have applied! Although it would be a long commute from here to there.
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,664
Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Dec 7, 2018 21:45:09 GMT
If you're hiring her to do the tedious, paperwork type stuff and she's your opposite, then you probably shouldn't be working in the same room. I'm thinking you probably take/make a lot of calls, video calls/webinars/FB lives, and that would be pretty distracting to someone trying to concentrate on the details for you. I wouldn't worry about an intercom system, though. Why not just use IM? To be fair, I'm an introvert and what I like best about my office right now (even more because I know they're planning to take them away) is my WALLS. I would not (will not) be happy sharing the same visual & auditory space as other people when I'm trying to work. I already have an intercom set up between the 2 rooms. One side is my sons room now, I have to fuss at him often to get things done and he ignores my IM's  . ha. |
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Dec 7, 2018 21:56:19 GMT
Oh and find out what kind of office supplies she likes. In my office we have 4 different kinds of pens to accommodate Wow - that's nice. We get Paper Mate's and that's it! LOL. Oh, and sometimes we can scrounge up a thin Sharpie. I love pens... Our new supply person also switched to yellow paper pads instead of white. #1stworldproblems We are within reason of pens. I love the RSVP pens. And when they are on sale I stock up. We buy pens on sale only. So the pilot roller ball people get them. Cause they are supper expensive. We have 3 kinds of highlighters too. Liquid non liquid. Lol. Note books we have a brand we buy, one guy does get Moleskine. , I have graph paper pads. , And post it notes. Again we have various kinds for people. We take our office supplies very seriously. But our office is small. The job sites get generic brand stuff because they go thru them and lose them like no tomorrow. |
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Post by danalz on Dec 7, 2018 22:13:49 GMT
The best part of my job is the ability to work from home several days per week. I get so much more done at home than the days I'm at the office. It's super quiet and I can be focused on getting stuff done.
We also have the ability to flex up to 4 hours per week. So if I work extra hours one day, I can take those hours off another day. One of the best perks of this job
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Post by chaosisapony on Dec 7, 2018 22:15:17 GMT
-Get her nice office supplies. A good stapler that won't jam. Pens that write nicely. A tape dispenser that is smooth and not gummed up.
-Take her out to lunch every once in a while or treat her by bringing in take out.
-Randomly give her a paid afternoon off if it is a slow day.
-Give her the power to make decisions and a way to purchase what she needs to do her job effectively.
-Don't forget to give a Christmas bonus.
-Allow her the freedom to make her own choices about how she spends her time. If she needs to make a personal phone call here or there, don't make her feel guilty about it.
-Ask for her input.
^^^ Those are the things my best job had for me that kept me there even when I could've had better pay/hours elsewhere. It's those little things that makes someone feel appreciated.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Dec 7, 2018 23:16:24 GMT
The best part of my job is the ability to work from home several days per week. I get so much more done at home than the days I'm at the office. It's super quiet and I can be focused on getting stuff done. We also have the ability to flex up to 4 hours per week. So if I work extra hours one day, I can take those hours off another day. One of the best perks of this job Other then when our boss is on PTO, these are my two favorite things too. Flex time and work from home days!!! |
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Post by Fidget on Dec 7, 2018 23:40:23 GMT
Two of my co workers have veridesks, my employer won't pay for one, but I'm seriously considering buying one for myself, I think they run around $400.00. If you haven't seen one before, your computer monitor, keyboard and mouse all fit on it (it will fit dual monitors). It very easily raises and lowers so that you can stand or sit while working. I used my co-workers one day while she was off, and I loved it. If your employee is interested it would be very nice of you to supply it!
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,034
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Post by artbabe on Dec 8, 2018 0:19:49 GMT
I teach.
Thing I love the most: the kids. ❤️
Thing that drives me crazy: the kids
Absolute worst thing about my job? Government interference in things they know nothing about.
It is the adult bullshit that gets you.
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psiluvu
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,217
Location: Canada's Capital
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Post by psiluvu on Dec 8, 2018 0:33:31 GMT
My boss is pulled a hundred different ways. He is so busy. I was hired at a time when everything was changing and my team was just trying to get their poop in a group. There wasn't enough time for me to learn anything and I just got tossed gently into the fray. Make sure you take a lot of time to explain and re explain the things that are most important to you. If she asks a question, sit down next to her and talk. When people answer questions they often look like they are inconvenienced and trying to get away even when they aren't. My boss says that people join a company and quit a boss. I was thinking about a bunch of perks (water cooler, coffee, flexibility, office supplies, etc) but after reading this I have to agree 100% that this is super important. We have had a lot of turnover in my office lately and the lawyers who keep their staff the happiest are the ones who give clear instructions and answer questions thoroughly and respectfully. |
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Post by silverlining on Dec 8, 2018 0:40:16 GMT
I have a suggestion about the list of job duties that you are creating. You can use that as a checklist for yourself so you can keep track of what you've trained her on. Then after a couple weeks on the job, you can meet with her to ask how comfortable she is with each task, and what kind of further training she thinks she needs. You can make notes for yourself, so it's clear that you want to make sure she's comfortable with all the duties, and if she isn't, you see that as your responsibility to take care of.
If there are any mistakes happening, ask her opinion if she needs more training, more opportunities to practice, or if the system could be set up differently so it's easy to do it right, and difficult to screw it up.
Congratulations to you!
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,544
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Post by anniebeth24 on Dec 8, 2018 3:11:50 GMT
Assuming since this is in your home, you won't have an "employees only" bathroom. I would provide her with a basket or at least point out some kind of space to leave a cosmetic bag for personal supplies.
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Post by scrappintoee on Dec 8, 2018 20:16:41 GMT
I just wanna ask if *I* can work for you, because....wow! .... heated massage chair !!!!! 😆
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,868
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Dec 8, 2018 20:29:18 GMT
My favorite thing about my job is that most people are supportive of each other. Particularly my boss is great with listening when there is a problem. My least favorite thing about my job (besides the fact that I have to work some weekends and holidays) is the couple of people who are not supportive and create chaos in the workplace.
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daisydonna
Full Member
Posts: 265
Sept 5, 2015 11:45:16 GMT
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Post by daisydonna on Dec 8, 2018 23:09:32 GMT
Make first day super special. Lunch out. Definitely work but make it a special day.
Also set up the expectation of a formal review...maybe at 4 weeks and then at 6 months or so. Be sure to explain this review is for feedback for BOTH of you. Setting it up for open dialogue to see how it’s going etc.
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Post by laureljean on Dec 8, 2018 23:12:45 GMT
Haven't read the other replies yet, but here are mine:
-A supportive atmosphere; we operate as a team and rank means very little. We trust each other to be professional
-Flexibility: If I have family obligations, an emergency, or appointments I can attend to them while still getting my work done
-My boss is not a micromanager: she is clear about what she wants/needs and it is up to me how I accomplish it
There are more, but those are the big three
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#1stworldproblems
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