If your project requires lots of heavy lifting and/or moving large items, hire at least two workers. This will make the work go faster and will prevent a single laborer from becoming exhausted. Try to figure out what your total cost will be for hiring one versus several day laborers for your project. You will have to estimate the time required to complete the job, but this will help you decide how to proceed.
Keep in mind that you must pay a day laborer for the work he does, whether you approved of it or not. Failing to do so is a violation of federal labor laws. If training or extensive travel is required for the day laborer to complete the job, legally you must compensate the worker for his or her time.
Factor in the amount of time you expect the job to take. In order to avoid getting stuck with a slow or inefficient worker, you might want to consider offering a flat fee for the job you need done. Consider the work being done. Extremely difficult manual labor probably warrants a higher rate of pay than some easier tasks, especially since it may be harder to find a willing and able laborer who can do the job right. Make sure the person you hire understands and agrees to the rate so there are no disagreements later about pay. You are legally required to pay overtime for work exceeding 40 hours within one seven-day work week; this is typically the original agreed upon rate plus 50 percent. [2] X Trustworthy Source Workplace Fairness Nonprofit organization focused on public education and advocacy on issues related to employment and labor law Go to source
You can usually pay labor agencies by check or credit card, though some may require that you set up an account first in case you need additional help in the future. Check the labor agency’s fees before deciding to hire through them. You may find that the extra expense of using an agency is not worth the convenience.
These city or municipal programs may have requirements for payment methods, schedules, and even rates. Check with program officials to learn about their policies before going this route. One benefit to employers in using a program like this one is that day laborers will be part of a database which can be used to hold them accountable for any misconduct (such as theft or property damage).
Be clear upfront about how much work you expect your laborer(s) to complete in a given day, including start and stop times. Don’t forget to schedule breaks for your worker(s) and tell them when they can stop working to eat lunch, rest, or get something to drink. This will keep them from having to guess as to your expectations.
In some cases, you may realize part way through a project that you need more laborers to complete it effectively. If this happens, you should not lower the pay of the original employee(s); the pay rate you promise upfront is what you should stick to. If harsh weather conditions slow the progress of an outdoor project, consider delaying things until a later date, when your laborer can work more effectively. In such a situation, consider paying your laborer for the work he has already done, especially if the break will exceed 1 day.
Right to organize. Right to be paid a fair wage. Right to be free from discrimination. Right to safe working conditions. Right to remain silent regarding immigration status.
Remember that you have to pay a laborer for his work, even if the work is not done exactly the way you wanted. If you hired the laborer through an agency or work program, you will have to pay the agency (probably by check or credit card) and not the worker directly. Tips, on the other hand, should be paid directly to the laborer in cash.
Maintain a database of day laborers and their contact information. It might be a good idea to include personal notes describing your overall satisfaction with each particular worker. This will help you avoid hiring someone who doesn’t do good work. Give a ‘receipt’ to each laborer you pay so that he also has a record of his work and payment. This is the best way to keep within the law and make everything by the book.
You can obtain I-9 forms from the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration office. Visit their website at [[1]]. The I-9 form includes sections to be filled out by both you and your laborer. If you wish to fill out the entire form yourself, you will need to get all the appropriate information from your day laborer.
