Difficult to hire Thai staff

[EriccirE]

they do not even show up for the job interviews they accepted.

Seems you are overlooking a rather large aspect of Thai behaviour in that they are programmed mostly to say what they think you want to hear.

What they say and what they do don't often match.

I never had any problems with this earlier, it is just for the last year.

[Butterfly]

I read applicants CV and work history/salary.

and that's why you feel your pay is decent, it's based on history. They come to get better paid, not the shit pay they currently have. If there is no increase, why would they bother to change in the first place ? better the devil you know,

The problem I have is that they SAY they are interested, but they never show up. So I do not even get to interview them.

probably because you mention the position pay grade and they find out it's not worth it. Instead of declining, they politely not come.

Having said that, and considering I see what their current salary is, I think it is strange that they first accept to come for an interview, and then never show up

do you even mention how much you will pay them ? if yes, is it above or at the same level as they are currently getting ?

1. Why would they bother to even apply for a job if the salaray was not attractive?

again, is it advertised or are you giving a vague estimate ?

2. Why would they bother to accept to come for an interview when the salary was not attractive in the first place?

also a good question, if the salary is indeed decent, it's possible they don't like the work environment from a quick look at it, or they don't like the new farang boss, or the new office. Plenty of reasons. When I was hiring staff, it could take a long time to convince them to work for me for a lot of silly reasons. Turnover is high in Thailand, even for Thai companies.

Again, sometimes the devil you know is better, and the extra premium if too small not worth the risk for them. For one new employee I was hiring, I had to increase her salary by 50% for her to leave her current job. Anything below, she wouldn't move. She was worth it, for every single baht.

[Eliminator]

How much are YOU paying for a monthly wage for what you owners of GREAT COMPANIES for ALL levels of work, I don't care if they are a sweeper or an accountant?

Some of you guys are spouting wages that are WAY BEYOND what I see any Thai earning. Hell, the Thai government just passed the minimum 300 baht per day law for employees and THAI companies are dropping like flies saying they won't pay it.

The OP hasn't said what positions he's looking to fill.

[Thormaturge]

Interviewed a masters degree holder yesterday for an office manager position who could not tell me the name of any e-mail client she had experience of using.

Some people amass paper qualifications without really understanding the job itself.

I work purely on interview. An intelligent person who thinks they should be well rewarded for doing a good job is of far more use to me than someone who thinks they "deserve" a certain level of salary because they wasted years studying something with little relevance to their work. Intelligence plus motivation.

[kingwilly]

I do not "feel" that I am paying decent, I read applicants CV and work history/salary.

so you know everything then, funny, I thought it was you with the problem?

[EriccirE]

I read applicants CV and work history/salary.

and that's why you feel your pay is decent, it's based on history. They come to get better paid, not the shit pay they currently have. If there is no increase, why would they bother to change in the first place ? better the devil you know,

The problem I have is that they SAY they are interested, but they never show up. So I do not even get to interview them.

probably because you mention the position pay grade and they find out it's not worth it. Instead of declining, they politely not come.

Having said that, and considering I see what their current salary is, I think it is strange that they first accept to come for an interview, and then never show up

do you even mention how much you will pay them ? if yes, is it above or at the same level as they are currently getting ?

1. Why would they bother to even apply for a job if the salaray was not attractive?

again, is it advertised or are you giving a vague estimate ?

2. Why would they bother to accept to come for an interview when the salary was not attractive in the first place?

also a good question, if the salary is indeed decent, it's possible they don't like the work environment from a quick look at it, or they don't like the new farang boss, or the new office. Plenty of reasons. When I was hiring staff, it could take a long time to convince them to work for me for a lot of silly reasons. Turnover is high in Thailand, even for Thai companies.

Again, sometimes the devil you know is better, and the extra premium if too small not worth the risk for them. For one new employee I was hiring, I had to increase her salary by 50% for her to leave her current job. Anything below, she wouldn't move. She was worth it, for every single baht.

Yes, of course I offer them a higher salary from what they currently have.

Yes, I am very clear what salary I offer them.

And the real question is really, how come I never had this problem before?

It seems like there are too many job options now. And another thing, it seems like it has become very common to only work for a company, 6 months, or at the most, one year.

[EriccirE]

How much are YOU paying for a monthly wage for what you owners of GREAT COMPANIES for ALL levels of work, I don't care if they are a sweeper or an accountant?

Some of you guys are spouting wages that are WAY BEYOND what I see any Thai earning. Hell, the Thai government just passed the minimum 300 baht per day law for employees and THAI companies are dropping like flies saying they won't pay it.

The OP hasn't said what positions he's looking to fill.

Yeah, I agree, they seem very high to me too. And as you mention, Thai companies are dropping employees because of the minimum 300 thb wage.

I need to fill several positions, and it seems like it is the same problem with all positions.

[EriccirE]

I work purely on interview. An intelligent person who thinks they should be well rewarded for doing a good job is of far more use to me than someone who thinks they "deserve" a certain level of salary because they wasted years studying something with little relevance to their work. Intelligence plus motivation.

I totally agree with this

[9999]

The Mrs pays the crew in the range of 650 - 1200 THB per day, semi-skilled outsourcing work, on a casual basis, but for example there has recently been a wedding and a funeral where we paid for days not worked.

This is in the North, much different to BKK, so add at least 20% for BKK equivalent.

They get the work done when it's needed and they can bludge and look at facebook when it's quiet.

I take them out for dinner now and then when they've been doing a good job.

In over a year haven't had any casualties, just 2 that didn't last the first week.

I'm new to all this but I reckon pay them well, make them feel part of something and provide a 'sanuk' working environment.

[9999]

it's possible they don't like the work environment from a quick look at it, or they don't like the new farang boss, or the new office. Plenty of reasons.

Amazing butters says something semi-intelligent, what a bag of surprises he is!

But I agree, to the Thais, a good working environment, and good people to work with, hold more weight than probably many give credit too. Probably moreso than in the west, where Aussie yobbos will cop any conditions for their fat monthly cheque, but again, I'm no expert. Unlike Butters, reveals another of his many talents, HR policy. Is there anything this guy can't do?

[Thormaturge]

9999 is very much on the money here.

I allow use of the computer for downloading films, social networking etc. so long as the work gets done. This is part of the reason why people turn up early; we have high-speed internet whereas I don't think anyone has a connection at home.

I also provide private health insurance.

[Butterfly]

Is there anything this guy can't do?

I don't play poker professionally, or do silly bets on Gold with beers from 711, how is that for a start ?

[Butterfly]

9999 is very much on the money here.

I allow use of the computer for downloading films, social networking etc. so long as the work gets done. This is part of the reason why people turn up early; we have high-speed internet whereas I don't think anyone has a connection at home.

I also provide private health insurance.

that's basically how you can succeed managing people in Thailand,

I see too many farangs trying to be bossy or too straight, and that doesn't go well with the locals

some common sense, and it usually works out quite well

[Butterfly]

The Mrs pays the crew in the range of 650 - 1200 THB per day, semi-skilled outsourcing work

define semi-skilled ? quite high for my definition of semi-skilled

[9999]

I don't play poker professionally

Me neither anymore. I'm a stay home dad and sporadic recreational player these days.

We already know you don't do bets becuase you're incapable of agreeing to realistic terms and a prick to deal with in general

define semi-skilled ?

Maybe later, gtg dude, l8r.

[9999]

I see too many farangs trying to be bossy or too straight, and that doesn't go well with the locals

You're right there. I stay right the fuck away unless necessary on the operations side. Farangs should run their businesses, or assist others in doing so, from arms length, imho.

[DrAndy]

Anyone else experienced this?

10k is what you give to a maid these days, 30 days for 300 day per day,

besides your maths being awry, it doesn't work like that

most maids get around 7/8k a month, they have a day off a week

but salaries are slowly climbing, they used to get 5K

[Butterfly]

besides your maths being awry, it doesn't work like that

most maids get around 7/8k a month, they have a day off a week

since she works 7 days a week, I have to pay extra for week-end, and that's the 1000 THB a month

[Fondles]

since she works 7 days a week, I have to pay extra for week-end, and that's the 1000 THB a month

If she is working 7 days a week labour laws are being broken, lets hope you don't get caught, I assume you are providing health care as well.

[9999]

since she works 7 days a week, I have to pay extra for week-end, and that's the 1000 THB a month

Lovely to see you illegally exploiting locals there Butters, why 7 days? Do you need your fat arse wiped or something?

[Butterfly]

If she is working 7 days a week labour laws are being broken, lets hope you don't get caught, I assume you are providing health care as well.

I give her 5 weeks holidays per year, fully paid, when I am away in France for the summer.

the locals make their maids work 24/7, so she is on a good deal, and she knows it. Some locals were complaining I was paying her too much and give her too many holidays, destroying the labor market. They might have a point.

[9999]

Right ... so the locals do it so it's OK for you. Do you also hold cock fighting in your backyard?

[Thormaturge]

Oh, Butters, I do hope you at least let her have the Buddhist holidays off.

[Butterfly]

I do hope you at least let her have the Buddhist holidays off.

of course not, she does have 1 week for Songhkran though

[9999]

So you got a huge familyy that needs a maid to take care of all the cleaning and shit, or do you live alone and need a maid coz you're a lazy slob and there's illegal cheap labour readily available?