Vent: My whole crew called in sick on the same day for a big apartment job

It happened last Tuesday, right when we were supposed to start a full bathroom re-pipe in a 12-unit building. I got three texts within 20 minutes. I had to call the building manager, push the start date back two days, and eat the cost for the materials we had already staged on site. I spent the afternoon calling every temp service in the phone book and found one guy who could start the next morning. Has anyone else had a full crew wipeout? What's your backup plan beyond just hoping the phone book has someone?

3 comments

3 Comments

caleb2412mo ago

My old boss used to say three call-outs meant someone won the lottery. It feels like that group mentality is everywhere now, like when one kid asks to leave class early and suddenly five more have "appointments.

phoenix_campbell881mo ago

That lottery line from caleb241 is spot on. It's not just work or school, it's like a weird social rule now. See it at the gym when one person stops using a machine and suddenly there's a line, or when one car changes lanes in traffic and three more follow. Monkey see, monkey do, but with our whole schedule.

the_grace2mo ago

Man, that is the absolute worst kind of surprise to get in the morning! Having to push a big job and eat costs is a nightmare scenario. I've been in a similar spot where it felt like the universe was plotting against the schedule. My backup plan now involves keeping a short list of two or three independent guys from other small crews I trust, people who might pick up a day of work for cash. It's not perfect, but it's better than starting from zero with the temp services. Really hope your temp guy worked out and you got back on track.