Labor Management

Labor Management

Philip E. Wagner, Extension Agent - Dairy, Franklin County, Pa.

November 22, 2002

Many dairy farm businesses have labor needs beyond those supplied by the owner/operator. This labor may be provided by family members, non-family employees or a combination of the two. Workers differ in their capabilities, work habits, attitudes, personality
traits, ambitions and willingness to accept responsibilities. For these reasons, labor management is a difficult and often neglected job. However workers, both family and non-family, want and respect a good boss. He can make their work easier, more productive and more rewarding. A good boss creates a wholesome attitude, a desire to work and a pleasant, but businesslike relationship between himself and his employees. The purpose of this article is to suggest ways of making hired labor a more profitable investment in your farm business.

• Hire Capable, Dependable Help - The dairy farm business requires people with skill, intelligence, dependability and willingness to work. To get reliable help, farmers must compete with other employers in the community. Usually, farmers pay lower cash wages than industry, but make up some of the difference by providing housing, farm produced food, job security and pleasant working conditions. Usually, hiring the lowest cost help does not result in the lowest labor cost per unit produced. It is better to hire help in which you have confidence, and through good management make the worker productive and profitable.
• Tell and Show Workers What To Do – Failure to properly instruct an employee is a frequent cause of misunderstanding and often wastes time and materials. Don’t assume that a worker knows how to do a job – be sure. Time spent explaining job assignments means more work accomplished, better quality work and greater satisfaction for both worker and farm operator. Recognize that each worker is different. Some are more skilled at certain jobs than others. Some understand and follow instructions better than others. A good manager explains, and, if necessary, shows workers how jobs are to be done.
• Supervise the Work – A good manager helps the worker develop good work habits and methods. He tells workers if the job is not being done satisfactorily, what is wrong with it and how to correct the mistake. He should also praise workers for a job well done. A pat on the back will improve the worker’s attitude and performance. Supervision must start when the work starts. Don’t waste time by permitting a worker to continue to do unacceptable work. Careful supervision enables you to develop a competent work force.
• Schedule Your Farm Work – Make weekly and daily work schedules. List the jobs to be done. Tell workers about your plans. If the schedule calls for overtime work, let them know ahead of time. If a worker must have time off, it should be worked into the schedule. Impress workers with the importance of getting critical jobs done on time. Make a list of “odd jobs”. It will help keep workers productive during periods when planned work is delayed or between job assignments. Posting a work schedule and a list of odd jobs is a good idea. If forces you to plan ahead, and it gives workers an idea of what is expected of them.
• Have An Understanding About Working Conditions – Have a clear understanding about working hours, including starting time, quitting time, time for meals, amount of and rate of pay for overtime, days off and vacation time. Be sure the wage rate, the pay day and any withholdings from the pay are understood at the time the worker is hired. Have a well-understood policy and enforce it, but make it flexible enough to fit individual situations.
• Set An Example For Your Employees – Workers tend to adapt the habits of their boss. You can expect your employees to have good personal habits and work habits if you set a good example. Workers resent having all the undesirable jobs to do. They may get careless and lazy if left to work alone for long periods of time. They need supervision, but also they want some responsibility and a word of praise for the success of the farm business.
• Create a Feeling Of Pride In The Work – Good quality livestock and well-kept buildings and grounds give workers a sense of pride and personal satisfaction. Workers want modern machinery that is in good working order. Old, worn equipment means harder work and longer hours. Labor saving equipment enables the owner to increase labor productivity and attract competent help.
• Pay Adequate Wages – Low wages are frequently given as the reason a worker changes jobs. But behind many wage disputes is dissatisfaction with other things.
• Provide Satisfactory Housing – When housing is furnished it should enable the worker’s family to live comfortably and with dignity. Frequent complaints by the spouse and family of the employee about unsatisfactory living conditions destroy morale and job satisfactions, causing the employee to seek more desirable living and working conditions. It should be understood at the time of employment that the worker is responsible for keeping the home and grounds clean and respectable.
• Be A Good Boss – In summary here are some characteristics of a good boss. Check yourself – what kind of a boss are you?
  1. Make the work rules clear and positive. Be sure workers understand them. Enforce the rules fairly on all workers, family members included.
  2. Teach workers – tell, show, supervise, reward.
  3. Be firm, fair and consistent in dealing with all employees.
  4. Praise a job well done.
  5. Reprimand if work is not up to standard. Make criticisms constructive.
  6. Set an example for your workers and apply the Golden Rule in managing people.