I own a small mobile DJ business that I operate mainly on weekends doing weddings and similar functions (although I don't shy away from the larger corporate events either). With this being the first “normal” summer after covid closed everything down in ontario, I've gotten booked solid for the nice weather and decided to hire someone to make my life a bit easier.
I put up a posting on Facebook and really only got one rely, which is understandable considering its not the most consistent job out there. I was willing to pay up to $15 an hour cash for the right person. During the interview I asked how much they would like to get paid. They said $16. I'm sure I could have told them 15 was all I could do and they would have been ok with it, but fuck it, for an extra what? $15 an event? Fuck it, I gave them what they wanted. On top of that, when they run my photobooth, I pay $20 an hour while the booth is running, plus an extra hour at that rate for setup and tear down.
Is it less money in my pocket at the end of the day? Absolutely. Will I have a reliable employee that (hopefully) enjoys the work? Damn right. Is it worth it in the end? Oh hell yeah.
So to the other employers out there struggling, don't nickel and dime your employees, whether they're existing, or new hires. It'll only cost you pennies to give them what makes them happy, but dollars if you try and cheap out.