Our Industry And Ex-Cons

Weezbo

it is said that Paranoia is the height of awareness...*~/:)

Maynard

Heat & Ac Industry & Ex-Cons?

Just looked At A Website Of A Franchised Ac/Heating Service And Installation Company.
They Pointed Out That All Of Their Techs Have Background Checks Done Before They Hire Them. Went On To Say That The Second Most Popular Trade Taught In Prison Is Heating/AC Repair/Installation.
Do My Fellow Techs Think It's The Truth?
What Does That Say About Our Trade?

homeowner_5

tech?

As a homeowner I would not be surprised. Most "techs" I have seen or had at my home or businesses looked like loosers. I went thru maybe 5 companies now until I found a real tech. Who is professional,clean looking, honest and knows his stuff. It seems this industry needs to have some professional standards and license. I am just happy I found my Hvac guy and appreciate the fine job he does.

Lurkin' Murkin'

HVAC may indeed be the 2nd most learned, there. I believe the ministry is #1, though.

ALH_4

Ex-Cons and Mod-Cons

There has to be a Mod-Con joke in there somewhere.

Brad? ;-)

Unknown

Ex Cons...

I know I had more than my share of parolees in my HVAC classes when I was teaching. I had one student threaten to stick a pencil in the eye of another and then another one who was going to "bust a cap" in his benchmate's ***. I said, "Now class, there will be no busting of caps in anyone's *** in my classroom!"

Unknown

Ex-Cons

I don`t really know about the training in prison aspect as I have never been, but I do know we have all broken the law at one time or another, and many have been fortunate not to be caught. That said, I would not necessarily avoid hiring anyone because of a past prison record(a murderer would make me think hard though). They have paid their debt to society and need the work. Not a "perfect system", but it`s the only one we have. Too-bad the following homeowner went through what he did, but that sounds like the companies he hired cared nothing about how their employees presented themselves, not an ex-con thing.

Dave

Rocky_3

Perhaps it could incorporate

something with Mod Squad, too? Maybe that is before some Wallies time,though.

Brad White_9

Speak for yourself, Dave!

"we have all broken the law at one time or another, and many have been fortunate not to be caught."

Big difference between cow-tipping and the occassional joint (or in your case, polar bear tipping and an illicit Molson Light) and crimes against a person.

I do agree, there is a role to play and to be brought back into society you have to have a job. But if the job involves being in peoples homes unsupervised or with access to children depending on the infraction, I would err on the side of safety every time.

Brad White_9

Sorry Andrew!

I think you covered it. Not the easiest thing to do humor on command... Anything I can think of going from Mod-Con to Ex-Con has an aura of product bashing, something I do not want to do.

Chris_82

What's this web site? Address?

Why didn't you list the site?

Maynard

Website

The Website Is www.onehourair.com
Click On Who We Are...Then Click On Meet The People Video On Right.

Unknown

Touche Brad,

I`ll give you that, and I hope everyone (including you), knew what I meant by that statement. Of course "safety" is always first when it comes to hiring an ex-con, or anybody as far as that goes! My point was, everyone deserves a chance at finding employment and (barring the infraction), should be given due consideration based on their individual skill levels pertaining to the job.
BTW-Never saw a polar bear except on TV, but I am guilty of the "Molson Light" thing,,guess you`d never hire me eh?!!

Dave

Mad Dog!!!!!!!!

I know of a company in my area that has a convicted murderer

on staff. Road rage 15 years ago...stabbed a dude that came at him with an ax handle. Did his time. I wouldn't hire him, but I guess its better than a rapist or a child molester. I actually worked with him at a shop years before, he was a nice enough guy, but had the temperment of a Pit Bull and the strength to match. In fact, the kids who grew up with him said he had "retard strength"....I was like what's that? They explained that for a smallish guy he had superhuman strength. He had once bit akids bicycle tire till it punctured it. I personally witnessed him yank a 400 pound radiator off the ground and on to the flat bed of a pickup...it was impressive. It really needs to be a case by case basis. Unfortunately, this is a physically rough trade, and we don't get many MBAs and yoga instructors knocking on the door. In my opinion: 1 DWI years ago, a bar fight assault, minor drug arrest are grounds for SERIOUS examination of the person's background and history but would NOT automatically exclude them from employment. Honesty goes a long way. On the other hand: Child molester, kiddie porn purveyor, rapist, wife beater, murder other than true self defense, burglary....NO WAY. You can never trust a burglar! Mad Dog

Unknown

met one of the guy

Of the 4 techs employed by this hvac company, I met one of them at a bar, he was bitchin and moaning about why he doesn't get more hours than the other techs... I asked him with all the tattos on both arms up to his neck, ears, eyebrows and tounge pericings, different punk color hair streaks and styles, along with throwing cigerrette butts all over the places is keeping him from getting customers refferals? His reply was that as long he do his jobs right.. True, he's a top company troubleshooter but his looks is stopping him...

Brad White_172

Yes, I'd hire you. Dave

Because you are street smart (you do have streets up there, I saw them on TV once and with a polar bear on it), you would GIVE your Molson Light to the polar bear, thus saving the company. Maybe we would hire the bear too, eh?

Steamhead (in transit)

In Maryland

if a company hires an inmate on work-release, the state gives them money. I once worked for a company that did this, which went out of business. I'm sure one reason for that was because the customers could tell just what kind of people were being sent to their homes, didn't like it and called someone else the next time. Of the half-dozen or so employees hired from this source, only one was serious about turning his life around. The rest were just players trying to game the system. Not a very good percentage.

I'm surprised more insurance companies aren't refusing to insure such workers. The liability is astronomical.

Our company would never hire someone with a record containing any criminal convictions.

"Steamhead"

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Maine Ken

Axe Handle???

Come at me with an axe handle and being stabbed is the least of your worries!!!

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Ron Huber

Nobody is perfect

In My Company: Out of 7 of us: 3 felons,2 former drug addicts,2 have spent time in military stockades(Myself included in that one)and to date ,nobody in my employ has as much as peeded on a customers lawn. I pay well and do not ask anyone to do something I would not do myself. This years sales around 1.3 M
for heating & AC. On the type of homes we do,these guys could do a lot of damage in terms of customer relations, but everybody deserves a second (or third chance) look at George Bush as an example.

Darin Cook_5

Our Trade

I have worked with some ex cons during my years with a large hvac contractor in our area. Alot of them were scumbags and always will be. Some were people who made a mistake, paid for it, and want to make a better life. It just would not be fair to make a blanket statement that no one with a criminal record should not be hired.

It seems the trades just have the lowest standards when it comes to employment and are always willing to hire anyone. That is up to the industry to police themselves. As many of us here are small business owners, YOU decide what kind of image you want portrayed to your customer base and the general public!








Darin

singh

ex-con

There are many "good" (spritually and technicnically) ex-cons out there looking for a second chance. I'd would not hire someone looking for a third chance.

Just occurred to me Martha Stewart is a ex-con. You know her pipe fitting skills would be pristine, plus she might even make a chartreusse (sp.) colored gingham patterned quilt cover for that wall hung boiler. : ))

Seriously, I worked with someone who did 7 years for vehicular manslaughter. Nice person, just made a very bad mistake getting behind the wheel. I'd work with him again.

I also know someone who also under the influence , went home and got into the wrong bed, I don't know if I can trust a person like that .

I'm not sure if a person doing the hiring can legally ask the nature of the crime to a potential employee, without discriminating. I think it all comes down to your own morals and ethics, and what you feel comfortable with.
Tough call though, because where does it stop, would you feel comfortable hiring a woman, a person of color, someone who wears their religion on their sleeves, or head. Someone light on the toes. Or does a ex-con lose those rights when looking for work.

Ex-con or not, no visible tatoos, no multiple piercings, hair has to be visually appealing , it can be long but neat, no mohawks, no custom grills for the teeth and if I had my way , no smoking either. Man, I guess I would'nt hire myself.



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joel_19

depends

When we do a background check they seperate traffic stuff from a fellony.If somebody is 40 and got a DUI or got picked up for going 100MPH on the intertsate at 17,and has had a spotless driving record since i would consider them . Anything else no way.Sorry i'm not risking everything I've worked for or potentailly my families safety on you. Sorry but everytime you turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper you get reminded why.

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J.C.A._3

Joel,

Flashback pal.... Remember the opening of Viega?Standing in the showcase room.

I believe my comment was, "Hi, I'm highly unemployable", with reguards to the pierced and tattoo'd.

(I think your DAD was laughing harder than you were.) Chris

Chris_82

This franchise thing,...

This has been tried before and generally those who join in get screwed by false promises and innsuficient leads to pay the monthly fee.

joel_19

HA!

Ya i remember,

I'm torn on this issue my liberal sympathetic side wants to say anyone can change and become a better person. But my practicle side says,"My God if something ever happens life as I know it will be OVER" I mean you higher a guy with a record something happens it's all over the news,your toast. just sell the trucks and close the door. It will be on Angies List and the like forever and no one will higher you.

Sure you could higher a guy who checks out ok and then robs the customers or turns out to be a pedophile,but at least then you can rightly deny having any prior knowledge. Still would be alot of dammage control to do but you'd have a chance .

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Maynard

What About The Customer


I'm All For Second Chances...That Said...Train The Ex-Cons To Do Jobs That Do Not Require Them To Go Into Peoples Homes.
Customers Trust Us...What Would Happen If Customers Had To Be Told About The Background Of The Tech Entering Their Home?

Mitch_5

commercial work is one thing

We are in to many peoples homes and alot of time they are not home. We have alarm codes, keys or sometime the kids are are home.

Cannot take a chance on some one with a record and the statement of we all have done things does not fly. How many times do you have to do something stupid to get caught.

Mitch S.

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

Silly me. Here I thought that "learning a trade" was one of the best things someone could do while in prison.

While I agree that nearly everyone in prison truly deserves to be in prison, I've both worked with and hired some former prisoners and know that it's not a nice place and the last thing most want to do is return. They also know that people will be watching them and "the system" isn't going to cut them much, if any, slack.

Have been burned once by an ex-prisoner. He was young, bright, strong and quite hard working. He was a high-school baseball star (pitcher) who had a full scholarship to a good University. He says he "over-trained" and screwed up his arm. Got mad at the world, stole a car and took a drunken/stoned joy-ride that wound up with a totaled car. Everyone (including my business partner) was very sympathetic. He received a "shock" sentence, years of parole and LOTS of restitution. Then an assault and another short "shock" sentence and even longer parole and more restitution. This is when my partner hired him and virtually adopted him--he'd call him "dad"--and my business partner insisted he could "turn him around". He failed a drug test and "dad" intervened on his behalf (talking to parole officer and judge) to avoid his return to prison. I spent some time talking with him and could tell he was the most reckless person I'd ever met. Utterly and completely mad at the world because he wouldn't be a major-league pitcher. Wanted to become a lawer because he, "already knew how to beat the system". Told my business partner to get rid of him but he refused. Failed another drug test and was given yet another "shock" sentence. Came back and proceeded to rob everyone (breaking and entering): His roommates, his employers, his friends. He's now serving "real time". When he gets out, I can only pray he's learned something--not only about himself and the world, but perhaps a trade--and that someone will be willing to give him a last chance. It WON'T be me however...

To me it's a true pity that many people (students, parents, teacher, counselors, etc.) have come to have a dim view of trade work. While once utterly honorable, it's now often seen as "beneath" most [proper] people. Given that attitude and the number of people we incarcerate in this country, you'll find it harder and harder to get "clean" applicants. A fair chance that those who aren't ex-cons probably should be...

Of course it's up to you, but I wouldn't immediately disqualify an ex-prisoner. If you do choose to hire however, watch them closely and NEVER allow them to work alone in a customer's home until you've had ample time to believe they are honest. Insist on some reasonable standard of appearance that may require removing "body jewelry" and at least covering offensive tattoos. Spend some time talking with them about the world and their attitudes. If you find them utterly mad at the world, get rid of them--fast.

Unknown

Mitch S,

Let-alone ex-cons for a moment, I would be curious to know what would happen to you if someone who`s home you had keys to accused one of your employees, or even yourself, of stealing something?, could happen, they may have simply misplaced something, but since you were there, you get blamed! Does that mean you just close-up your business?, or would you get a lawyer and fight-it? And if you lose, then you would be the one with the record, would your life be over?
Once again, in my original posting I was not speaking of "serious or immoral" infractions, but has no-one ever had a "few too many", and drove home?, is that not breaking the law?
That said, it may be tough for many a good tradesman to fit under the "halo" you and some others expect.

Dave

Mitch_5

Dave

Read my statement again, commercial work OK, new construction or major renovations OK. Alone in a house on a service call or with only a young girl or child in the house NO WAY.

I have had it happen that something was missing after one of my employees had left the house.

I was totally not concerned due to the total trust of that employee.

Two weeks later we got a call from the daughter stating that her elderly mother had simply left her bag of jewelry in a different part of the house.

There is also the "fact" that once in the system there is a very high percentage of people that commit a crime and go back again.

Mitch S.

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Unknown

Very true,

depending on the person, and the offense.
I`d be willing to bet some here, and "Archie Bunker" would get along very well!

Dave

Steamhead (in transit)

I remember Archie Bunker

but this isn't about prejudice. It's about one of the realities of running a business. Consider:

"We are in too many peoples homes and a lot of time they are not home. We have alarm codes, keys or sometime the kids are are home."

"what would happen to you if someone whose home you had keys to accused one of your employees, or even yourself, of stealing something?, Could happen, they may have simply misplaced something, but since you were there, you get blamed!"

"Sorry I'm not risking everything I've worked for or potentailly my families safety"

and last but not least:

"To me it's a true pity that many people (students, parents, teacher, counselors, etc.) have come to have a dim view of trade work. While once utterly honorable, it's now often seen as "beneath" most [proper] people."

"It seems the trades just have the lowest standards when it comes to employment and are always willing to hire anyone. That is up to the industry to police themselves."

This is something we have to overcome. Some of you have picked up on my referring to our field as an "industry" or "business" rather than a "trade". This is one reason why.





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Unknown

I Think



Dave