PRO Member

Hourly rate for casual labour?

Hey Folks, just curious to see what the different landscaping / maintenance outfits pay their casual labourers. Just started another new lad today on a casual basis for a few weeks until there is sufficient work to bring him onboard as a proper part-timer. The lad is 19, and I'm paying him £6.50 p/h. Usually pay the other lads who do casual labour the same rate, but they are able to work away with little supervision.

 

Hard to know if this is too much or not.

 

Any advice or thoughts from those in the know?

 

 

 

 

Tags: casual, labour

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Claire Brown on May 18, 2011 at 18:22
that is minimum wage for an adult. Youngsters rate might be ok for someone sitting on a till in a supermarket, but in my opinion any labourer should earn more than that.
Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on May 18, 2011 at 19:47

If you are talking of someone with no experience, I think thats fair for a 19 year old.  We would pay Nat Min wage for an untried newcomer if taken on the cards, with the incentive of regular rises with experience.  Min wage for 18-20 £4.92.  21 and over £5.93.


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by David Cox on May 18, 2011 at 21:59

Min wage is going to over £6 later this year anyway - I always start people on £6 when labouring whether for regular help or one offs - the more they know and the better they get the more it rises. The guy I currently hire in is going to be on £6.50 after may as he works his Nuts off and is getting quicker and better everyday. Once I can leave him working on his own, I'll up it again.

 

I think £6.50 is fair for someone who works hard but is unskilled - as they gain skills though, It should certainly be climbing towards the £7.50ph mark.

Permalink Reply by Mark Watson on May 18, 2011 at 22:53
£7.50, but this is Oxfordshire ..
Permalink Reply by Andy Lawrence on May 18, 2011 at 23:14
Do you employ anyone Claire? If so how much do you pay for unskilled labour?

Claire Brown said:
that is minimum wage for an adult. Youngsters rate might be ok for someone sitting on a till in a supermarket, but in my opinion any labourer should earn more than that.
Permalink Reply by Andy Kenney on May 18, 2011 at 23:19
The government set the basic wage nationally so why should employers feel inclined to be more flexible?

Mark Watson said:
£7.50, but this is Oxfordshire ..

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by David Cox on May 18, 2011 at 23:42

What goes arround comes around. Pay fairly for the work done, treat your staff well, and they will do the same to you. If they dont, and they show you contempt well, your the boss, be rid!


I dont like paying Min wage - I pay close to it for a time a) because I cant afford to pay more, and b) because it helps me judge the quality of a worker.

I think it was Henry ford who said "...The job of the industrialist is to produce the best goods possible, for the lowest price possible, paying the highest wages possible".

 

Sums it up I think.

 

It is just that though, a Minimum, not a living wage.

Andy Kenney said:

The government set the basic wage nationally so why should employers feel inclined to be more flexible?

Mark Watson said:
£7.50, but this is Oxfordshire ..

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Andrew @ The Outsidedge on May 18, 2011 at 23:53

Thanks for all the replys.

 

Think £6.50 is not far off the mark for unskilled casual labour. 

 

I am happy to continue paying that rate as I would feel uncomfortable not paying a fair hourly rate for what is essentially hard graft.

 

Cheers.

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Mark Watson on May 19, 2011 at 8:21
Because as Paul says, I expect a fair bit in return even though this is for unskilled casual labour plus I think £6/hour is derisory......I get a lot back for paying a bit more



Andy Kenney said:
The government set the basic wage nationally so why should employers feel inclined to be more flexible?

Mark Watson said:
£7.50, but this is Oxfordshire ..

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Claire Brown on May 19, 2011 at 8:27

Yes I have employed people and when they are employed (i.e you get them to do a set shift for a set number of days, ) then a wage of £6.50 might be acceptable, - however you are talking about unskilled casual labour, in other words someone you ring up and say, - can you do a full day next Tuesday. - I would expect to pay at least £10 for that, and for semi skilled £12 to £15.

 

Admittedly I am based in Surrey

 

The saying is, - you pay peanuts..........
Andy Lawrence said:

Do you employ anyone Claire? If so how much do you pay for unskilled labour?

Claire Brown said:
that is minimum wage for an adult. Youngsters rate might be ok for someone sitting on a till in a supermarket, but in my opinion any labourer should earn more than that.

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