A recruitment company owner’s post online suggesting that people are lazy – not wanting to work evenings or weekends – by last night had attracted nearly 300,000 views on social media within a day.
It had also garnered over 1,100 likes and 642 comments.
James Richmond, managing director of JR Recruitment, and who was formerly with London agents Greene & Co, posted: “When I used to go to interviews I didn’t give a sh** about the hours or working Saturdays, all I cared about is money & progression.
“Nowadays the main question candidates ask is what are the hours/holidays and do I need to work Saturdays.
“You wanna be somebody in life you work for it, the good life doesn’t come for free! If you only care about the hours and holidays, speak with one of my competitors.
“I’m not interested in dealing with lazy people. If you want to roll your sleeves up, work every hour god sends, progress in your career and get to the top, then give me a call.
“I guess the moral of the story is don’t ask me stupid questions. If nothing changes, nothing changes.”
The extraordinary reaction included posts such as “Such an antiquated approach to working”.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6252527826570928129/
Comments (8)
Its about so many things- the most important of course is about MAKING HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES. Also for having some empathy and understanding that some buyers cant attend appointments during work hours. A good agent should be able to work out the worthwhile appointments to attend to out of hours and apply this discretion and the ‘Boss’ should trust the employer to do this as they know that they have employed a smart, hungry for money employee. I went out in my own time, (unpaid / no overtime) last Sunday and held a viewing (so as husband and wife could view together) at a property for £500,000 and on Monday I agreed a sale. It could be argued that the commission I earn from that sale wasn’t actually worth disturbing my whole Sunday for, and the fact that my office is on team based commission too might raise some eyebrows. However, my employer recognises my good work ethics and we have a happy working partnership which has seen me throughout 10 years with the same company. I take pride in my work and I have empathy for both buyers and sellers . I also realise the need to make an effort myself to make my sales and make my money. I was not raised with a silver spoon. Money does not grow on trees. Nor does it come for free. I see so many people around me acting as though the employer owes them a favour, when in actual fact it is a two way partnership.
I started in agency in 1982 and worked 08.30 – 9pm standard hours, Sundays were 11am – 5pm and I had every third Saturday and Sunday off. It was slave labour but.. I bought my first house at 18yrs, was driving a BMW at 21yrs, started up a new agency at 23yrs and sold up at 35yrs. Looking back, it was hard but the rewards were there. Would I do it again..? (at one stage I had no holiday for over six years..) ..I regret missing out on ‘life’ but know I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t done it and.. I had plenty of ‘life’ along the way come to think of it.. so yes, I would do it again.
There is a difference between having a bad day and having an absolute meltdown on social media! I completely understand the frustrations, but maybe some things are best not said on LinkedIn.
There are lots of property professionals out there, and limiting the ones you work with to those who are only interested in working “every hour god sends”, is perhaps not the best business decision, because, and trust me, the employment landscape is changing in this sector, and a work / life balance is becoming more of a priority for people, and employers are (rightly) recognising and reacting to this.
Introduce those candidates who want to work shorter hours to the employers who operate a business model that suits their work / life balance needs, don’t discount them. For example, if I introduced, say, a Lister with phenomenal conversion rates and high average fee levels to the vast majority of my clients, but they only wanted to work 3 days a week, I could guarantee that heaven and earth would be moved to fit them into that business…
I wish James the best with it, but probably best to keep the rants off social media.
I completely agree with you, whoever you are! These days, the work / life balance is invariably more important to a job seeker than an extra thousand or two on the basic.
Of course you’re not going to agree. I’m not here for competitors to agree with me. I’m here to run you out of your own sector. Make the most of the busy period, we’re just getting warmed up.
You want a starting basic salary of £18,000? work 11 days out of 14? Enjoy derogatory remarks about your profession?
Yes: then welcome to the career of estate agency
No : then I’ll have chips with my burger please !!!!
I started in ’81 my basic salary was too low to be considered a real salary.
However by the time I was in my mid 20’s most of my friends were pretty envious of my life style.
I cant say it’s been smooth sailing, far from it. But I still enjoy the job and I do earn an above average salary.
My problem is finding enough time to use my holiday home in France. C’est la vie !
Do you rent the place in France out?
Maximum cap £100 per tenancy, job done.