My dreams have been shattered yet again. There is always next year. There is no joy in Mudville. So what, it is only a game. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a die-hard New York Mets fan. And my boys dropped the ball, again. They had it in their hands, and no one could take it away, if they just held on. They didn't, I'm upset, and yet, this morning in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, the sun did rise.
My boys came in second in the American League East, and second in the National League Wild Card. In baseball, second is just not good enough.
Is it good enough for the glass business? You bet it is. We all set different goals for our businesses. It may be a sales total, or having a certain backlog amount or getting a certain share of the market. You can set any goal you want, but the most basic of all goals, and in the long-run the only one that counts, is achieving an amount of profitability to pay yourself, your investors, and have extra to grow the business.
The American League East has five teams. If you have five competitors, and somehow you knew every one's profit, and you were in second place, meeting the above goals, I would consider that just about wonderful. I remember watching the Olympics last month, and how disappointed the Silver medalists were. They had worked so hard, and yet were heart-broken not to earn the Gold. To me, they were still second best in the world at their specialty. Not Bad.
A glass shop owner or manager has to set goals and monitor the success of reaching these goals. This is the way to motivate people, to measure yours and their successes and to stop problems when they are small. When you set your goals for all aspects of the business, keep in mind that setting a profit goal is key. Don't set it to be the best in your area in profit. Set it to be enough to pay yourself a fair salary, earn a return on your investment in equipment and maybe a building, and to have something to grow with. Do this and you will be a champion each and every year. Just don't bet your profits on my Mets.
How much is enough profit? If you make 10-15% net profit before taxes, give yourself a pat on the back. From 5-10%, it is time to take a good hard look at specific areas in the company. Where are you spending? What is your overhead? How can you bring in more profitable business? Are you paying yourself a nice paycheck, without the profit being there? Speak with your accountant to help pin down where the profit is or isn't. Maybe you run a really good shop, but you need more sales. Maybe it is in your purchasing. Maybe it is your collections.
If your profit is less than 5% of sales, you really have to consider if this is the best line of work to be in.
My consulting partner, Stan Lane, has told me that he never bought a loaf of bread with a percentage point. So, if your profit is 5%, but that is still a lot of money, than you are OK. But if your overall dollars are that good, then you should find the reasons in your company you are not making a higher percentage.
Check your profit at least once a quarter. Many companies do it monthly. Do you have a bookkeeper? She/He should be able to do this easily. Now, one month does not make a panic, but trends are easy to spot if you look for them. Is labor, as a percentage of sales, increasing? Are materials costs going up, and you are not passing these increases through?
So, second best in profits is great, if it meets your goals.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tempered Glass Is Always Perfect...Except When It Isn't
Every fabricator strives to deliver perfect tempered glass. That is why you buy from them. Most of the time, they succeed in this perfection. Sometimes their in-house quality program will reject glass, but you never know this. What happens when they ship the glass and your foreman says, "Boss, we have a problem!" Could be you and the fabricator are working to different standards of perfect. ASTM C 1048-04 is the standard for Heat-Treated Flat Glass, either Heat-Strengthened or Fully Tempered. This is the puppy we should all be petting.
Last week we learned that flat glass isn't perfect, so if a fabricator tempers a piece of flagrantly flawed float (say that three times), and it still meets the standards, you own it. Tempering adds even more variables to the mix.
Let's read excerpts of the standard on distortion in glass:
7.4.1 "Thermally tempered and heat-strengthened glass is made by heating glass in a furnace to a temperature at which the glass becomes slightly plastic. Immediately after heating, the glass surfaces are rapidly cooled by quenching with air from a series of nozzles. The original flatness of the glass is slightly modified by the heat treatment, causing reflected images to be distorted."
7.4.2 "...Fully tempered and heat-strengthened glass that has been made in a horizontal furnace my contain surface distortion. Distortion will be detected when viewing images reflected from the glass surfaces.
7.4.4 "Sealed insulating glass units also exhibit distortion regardless of glass type. Air or gas, trapped in the sealed airspace between the panes, expands or contracts, with temperature and barometric changes, creating a pressure differential between the the airspace and the atmosphere. The glass reacts to the pressure differential by being deflected inward or outward."
The standard addresses concerns that we all have. It acknowledges that glass isn't perfect. Mostly, when it comes to scratches and rubs in glass, the flat glass standard C1036, applies. So if a scratch is not visible from 11 feet away, it doesn't exist. These standards are critically important to your business. Ask your fabricator for a copy, or go to ASTM.org, where you will pay a fee for a download.
The biggest issues with tempered glass is size tolerance and 'bow and warp'.
There are special sections that address both of these.
Here is a basic chart for size tolerance that should be adhered to:
Thickness.........Finished Size Tolerance, Length or Width, plus or minus
1/8 ......................... 1/16
3/16 ....................... 1/16
1/4 ......................... 1/16
3/8 ......................... 3/32
1/2 ......................... 1/8
3/4 ......................... 3/16
As this is a plus or minus tolerance, one side of a 1/2 lite can be full by an eighth, the other side shy an eighth, making the lite 1/4 out, and it still is acceptable.
The standard for bow and warp is based on the overall size and thickness of the finished lite. Let's look at the allowable bow in just two thicknesses,
Size(in) 20-35...35-47...47-59...59-71...71-83...83-94...94-106
1/4 ..... (.12).....(.16) .....(.20)....(.28)....(.35)....(.47).....(.55)
3/8 ..... (.08)......(.08)....(.16).....(.20)....(.24)....(.28).....(.35)
A lite of 1/4 tempered, 48 x 96, can be warped over a half-inch! Do you find this acceptable? The standard does, and if your glass comes in with this warp, what do you do?
Talk with your fabricator early-on in your relationship and understand what tolerances they ascribe to. Do they have a tighter standard for a high-quality piece like a shower door or table top, than they do for general glazing? This is the key. Know what your fabricator expects of themselves and you will know the standard you can promise your customers.
One last thought, these standards are not law. If you make a contract with a customer to provide perfect glass, that is fine. Buy you probably will need to order two or three lites to get one that is dead-on perfect. If you try to always sell perfect, you better adjust your pricing now.
Last week we learned that flat glass isn't perfect, so if a fabricator tempers a piece of flagrantly flawed float (say that three times), and it still meets the standards, you own it. Tempering adds even more variables to the mix.
Let's read excerpts of the standard on distortion in glass:
7.4.1 "Thermally tempered and heat-strengthened glass is made by heating glass in a furnace to a temperature at which the glass becomes slightly plastic. Immediately after heating, the glass surfaces are rapidly cooled by quenching with air from a series of nozzles. The original flatness of the glass is slightly modified by the heat treatment, causing reflected images to be distorted."
7.4.2 "...Fully tempered and heat-strengthened glass that has been made in a horizontal furnace my contain surface distortion. Distortion will be detected when viewing images reflected from the glass surfaces.
7.4.4 "Sealed insulating glass units also exhibit distortion regardless of glass type. Air or gas, trapped in the sealed airspace between the panes, expands or contracts, with temperature and barometric changes, creating a pressure differential between the the airspace and the atmosphere. The glass reacts to the pressure differential by being deflected inward or outward."
The standard addresses concerns that we all have. It acknowledges that glass isn't perfect. Mostly, when it comes to scratches and rubs in glass, the flat glass standard C1036, applies. So if a scratch is not visible from 11 feet away, it doesn't exist. These standards are critically important to your business. Ask your fabricator for a copy, or go to ASTM.org, where you will pay a fee for a download.
The biggest issues with tempered glass is size tolerance and 'bow and warp'.
There are special sections that address both of these.
Here is a basic chart for size tolerance that should be adhered to:
Thickness.........Finished Size Tolerance, Length or Width, plus or minus
1/8 ......................... 1/16
3/16 ....................... 1/16
1/4 ......................... 1/16
3/8 ......................... 3/32
1/2 ......................... 1/8
3/4 ......................... 3/16
As this is a plus or minus tolerance, one side of a 1/2 lite can be full by an eighth, the other side shy an eighth, making the lite 1/4 out, and it still is acceptable.
The standard for bow and warp is based on the overall size and thickness of the finished lite. Let's look at the allowable bow in just two thicknesses,
Size(in) 20-35...35-47...47-59...59-71...71-83...83-94...94-106
1/4 ..... (.12).....(.16) .....(.20)....(.28)....(.35)....(.47).....(.55)
3/8 ..... (.08)......(.08)....(.16).....(.20)....(.24)....(.28).....(.35)
A lite of 1/4 tempered, 48 x 96, can be warped over a half-inch! Do you find this acceptable? The standard does, and if your glass comes in with this warp, what do you do?
Talk with your fabricator early-on in your relationship and understand what tolerances they ascribe to. Do they have a tighter standard for a high-quality piece like a shower door or table top, than they do for general glazing? This is the key. Know what your fabricator expects of themselves and you will know the standard you can promise your customers.
One last thought, these standards are not law. If you make a contract with a customer to provide perfect glass, that is fine. Buy you probably will need to order two or three lites to get one that is dead-on perfect. If you try to always sell perfect, you better adjust your pricing now.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Understanding the Glass Standards
Glass and perfect don't go together in the same sentence. There will always be something that the fussiest customer will complain about. Your two options are curling up with a bottle of Southern Comfort or understanding the glass standards that are used within our industry.
The basic standard is ASTM C 1036-06. This means: American Society for Testing and Materials, Standard # C1036, updated in 2006. If you want to download the full standard (for a small fee) go at ASTM.org and you will see the breadth of their offerings. You may be able to get a full copy from your glass wholesaler or key fabricator.
This is the standard for flat glass, that is annealed glass coming from the floaters. Tempered and laminated glass have different standards which we'll discuss in the future. But this is the parent of all the standards. If something is allowable by this standard, it is allowable in tempered or IG, or Lami, or whatever. I cannot stress how important it is for you to use this standard. Your vendors do. I bet every glass shop in America has called up their fabricator complaining about a small scratch on Mrs. Johnson's IG unit, and hears that it is within standards. You must understand these standards, and be able to manage your installs and problems using C1036-06 as a guideline.
Let's look at the standard. Again, this is for annealed glass, coming from the floater, or going to you, or to your customer. there are various sections in the standard, here is section 1.3: "The specification cover the quality requirements of flat, transparent clear, and tinted glass. This glass is intended to be used primarily for architectural glazing products including: coated glass, insulating glass units, laminated glass, mirrors, spandrel glass, or similar uses." This covers it all. Your products are in this list.
The next point to understand is there are 4 different qualities of glass mentioned, Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. Each has different standards, with Q1 being the fussiest and Q4 the most lax. Q1 is defined as glass for high-quality mirrors, Q2 for general use mirrors, Q3 for "Production of architectural glass products including coated, heat treated, laminated and other glass products.", and Q4 as general glazing applications.
The average glass shop should expect their products to meet Q3. Here are some examples of the Q3 standard:
So if there is on small blemish in a piece delivered to you, you own it.
The basic standard is ASTM C 1036-06. This means: American Society for Testing and Materials, Standard # C1036, updated in 2006. If you want to download the full standard (for a small fee) go at ASTM.org and you will see the breadth of their offerings. You may be able to get a full copy from your glass wholesaler or key fabricator.
This is the standard for flat glass, that is annealed glass coming from the floaters. Tempered and laminated glass have different standards which we'll discuss in the future. But this is the parent of all the standards. If something is allowable by this standard, it is allowable in tempered or IG, or Lami, or whatever. I cannot stress how important it is for you to use this standard. Your vendors do. I bet every glass shop in America has called up their fabricator complaining about a small scratch on Mrs. Johnson's IG unit, and hears that it is within standards. You must understand these standards, and be able to manage your installs and problems using C1036-06 as a guideline.
Let's look at the standard. Again, this is for annealed glass, coming from the floater, or going to you, or to your customer. there are various sections in the standard, here is section 1.3: "The specification cover the quality requirements of flat, transparent clear, and tinted glass. This glass is intended to be used primarily for architectural glazing products including: coated glass, insulating glass units, laminated glass, mirrors, spandrel glass, or similar uses." This covers it all. Your products are in this list.
The next point to understand is there are 4 different qualities of glass mentioned, Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. Each has different standards, with Q1 being the fussiest and Q4 the most lax. Q1 is defined as glass for high-quality mirrors, Q2 for general use mirrors, Q3 for "Production of architectural glass products including coated, heat treated, laminated and other glass products.", and Q4 as general glazing applications.
The average glass shop should expect their products to meet Q3. Here are some examples of the Q3 standard:
- Blemishes under 1.2 mm allowed
- Blemishes 1.2-2.0 mm allowed if 24" apart
- Blemishes over 2.0 mm not allowed
So if there is on small blemish in a piece delivered to you, you own it.
Let's look at one other part of the standard--The Q3 "allowable Shell Chip Size", which details what size chips are allowed:
- Chip Depth Less than or equal to 50% of glass thickness
- Chip Width Less than or equal to glass thickness
- Chip Length Less than or equal to 2 times the chip width.
So if you sell 'perfect glass' and promise beautiful glass, you may not be able to purchase beautiful glass from your fabricator. Sure, you can buy two of every order, and one will be better than the other, but you won't be in business for more than a week or two. Ask your fabricator what standards they use, and if they do the same or better than C1036. That answer is what you have to sell to.
Tempered and Lami have even looser standards, which we will discuss next week.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Glass Ain't Perfect, But My Grammar Is
My grammar is the best...she made a blueberry pie to die for, and always had a hug when my knee was scraped. Wait a minute--you mean the other grammar. Glass isn't perfect. Are you happy now?
How can you be happy that glass isn't perfect? If it were perfect, you would have no rejects, no call backs, no back charges. Life in the glass business would be boring. Of course you try to install perfect glass on every installation. You spend hours polishing out scratches on mirrors and shower doors. You inspect, you protect and yet, blemishes magically appear after you finish the installation. Now What?
You can redo the installation, driving you out of business in no time if you did this for every complaint. You can try to field-fix the problem, making a mess of the location, and probably making the blemish worse than when you started. You can offer the famous 'cash discount', hope the customer bites, and back charge your fabricator. You can sit in a corner with a bottle of Jack Daniels and wish the problem away. You can send your partner to the customer, and be sure that when he leaves they will never buy from you again.
What's left? How about accepting the fact that glass isn't perfect. We all know this, but do we want to admit this to our customer? Most retail customers want something perfect installed in their home or office. We know that within a couple of weeks they will scratch the shower door or table top; but they want it perfect today!!!
OK, buy from a fabricator that cares about quality. Buy from the cheapest generally means quality control is weak or non-existent. Make sure they wrap, (with a clear plastic), all fabricated mirror, shower doors, table tops, Starphire (tm) pieces, and any beveled or notched pieces. There is a size limit to this concept. Don't expect larger than 30-35 sq feet to be wrapped.
Buy from a fabricator that allows you to inspect the glass and call in a problem within 24 hours of your receiving. If you put received glass in a rack for a week, then look at it on the way to your customer, and then see a defect, you own it. It is your responsibility, not the fabricator's, after 24 hours.
Do you try to install it anyway? Hoping the customer won't notice? Sometimes you can put a scratch in a far or high corner. Sometimes, (if you're lucky), the molding will cover. Sometimes, you need to explain to your customer that while the scratch is visible from an oblique angle, it is within acceptable standards for the glass industry.
What the ____? I wanted perfect...not acceptable! Here is what you need to know about industry standards. The bible here is ASTM C1036-06. What the____ is this? This short document lists just about every defect known to a glass man, and what is acceptable. ASTM C 1048-04 does the same for tempered or heat-strengthened products. Ask your glass vendor for a copy. Or go ASTM.org and download (for a fee) these standards. Try the GANA site, glasswebsite.org for more info. Of if you have the GANA glazing manual, the most important sections of these specs are included.
Next time you print your quotation forms or your invoices, place a short line, (along with your financial terms), that the glass products you install will meet the standards as set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials, for the glass type purchased, and that a copy of the standard will be given upon request. Each state may have certain rules about disclaimers like this, so the next time you are having lunch with your attorney, ask if there are restrictions in your state.
There is nothing carved in law about these standards. If your customer wants perfect and you explain the standards, they still may not pay you. But, experience has shown me that most reasonable consumers will accept these standards. If you have Mrs. Marilyn Unreasonable concerned about her shower door and threatening about payment, remember when you took the job? You knew she would be 'one-of-those', and you threw the dice. Just about every glazier who called me about a defect from our factory prefaced the conversation with, "I've got this crazy customer...". And I felt for them, dealing with the public is the hardest part of a retail glass shop's life.
OK, you are with the customer and trying to explain the charts in these standards. I will go over them in the next couple of blogs.
By the way, we won't be publishing a blog on September 9; we will back at the keyboard for September 16, when we'll discuss the standards, helping you to understand and use them.
How can you be happy that glass isn't perfect? If it were perfect, you would have no rejects, no call backs, no back charges. Life in the glass business would be boring. Of course you try to install perfect glass on every installation. You spend hours polishing out scratches on mirrors and shower doors. You inspect, you protect and yet, blemishes magically appear after you finish the installation. Now What?
You can redo the installation, driving you out of business in no time if you did this for every complaint. You can try to field-fix the problem, making a mess of the location, and probably making the blemish worse than when you started. You can offer the famous 'cash discount', hope the customer bites, and back charge your fabricator. You can sit in a corner with a bottle of Jack Daniels and wish the problem away. You can send your partner to the customer, and be sure that when he leaves they will never buy from you again.
What's left? How about accepting the fact that glass isn't perfect. We all know this, but do we want to admit this to our customer? Most retail customers want something perfect installed in their home or office. We know that within a couple of weeks they will scratch the shower door or table top; but they want it perfect today!!!
OK, buy from a fabricator that cares about quality. Buy from the cheapest generally means quality control is weak or non-existent. Make sure they wrap, (with a clear plastic), all fabricated mirror, shower doors, table tops, Starphire (tm) pieces, and any beveled or notched pieces. There is a size limit to this concept. Don't expect larger than 30-35 sq feet to be wrapped.
Buy from a fabricator that allows you to inspect the glass and call in a problem within 24 hours of your receiving. If you put received glass in a rack for a week, then look at it on the way to your customer, and then see a defect, you own it. It is your responsibility, not the fabricator's, after 24 hours.
Do you try to install it anyway? Hoping the customer won't notice? Sometimes you can put a scratch in a far or high corner. Sometimes, (if you're lucky), the molding will cover. Sometimes, you need to explain to your customer that while the scratch is visible from an oblique angle, it is within acceptable standards for the glass industry.
What the ____? I wanted perfect...not acceptable! Here is what you need to know about industry standards. The bible here is ASTM C1036-06. What the____ is this? This short document lists just about every defect known to a glass man, and what is acceptable. ASTM C 1048-04 does the same for tempered or heat-strengthened products. Ask your glass vendor for a copy. Or go ASTM.org and download (for a fee) these standards. Try the GANA site, glasswebsite.org for more info. Of if you have the GANA glazing manual, the most important sections of these specs are included.
Next time you print your quotation forms or your invoices, place a short line, (along with your financial terms), that the glass products you install will meet the standards as set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials, for the glass type purchased, and that a copy of the standard will be given upon request. Each state may have certain rules about disclaimers like this, so the next time you are having lunch with your attorney, ask if there are restrictions in your state.
There is nothing carved in law about these standards. If your customer wants perfect and you explain the standards, they still may not pay you. But, experience has shown me that most reasonable consumers will accept these standards. If you have Mrs. Marilyn Unreasonable concerned about her shower door and threatening about payment, remember when you took the job? You knew she would be 'one-of-those', and you threw the dice. Just about every glazier who called me about a defect from our factory prefaced the conversation with, "I've got this crazy customer...". And I felt for them, dealing with the public is the hardest part of a retail glass shop's life.
OK, you are with the customer and trying to explain the charts in these standards. I will go over them in the next couple of blogs.
By the way, we won't be publishing a blog on September 9; we will back at the keyboard for September 16, when we'll discuss the standards, helping you to understand and use them.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Why Did They Go Out Of Business?
Make a list of your seven strongest competitors over the last three years. Odds are at least two of them are out of business, and one, while still in business, is no longer a competitor. If you can figure out why they went out of business, and prevent these situations in your company, you may have a long future. Let's try!
So, write down seven top competitors to your broadest lines over the last three years, ignoring if they are currently in business or not. For each one, take a few minutes and write out all of the strong points of each competitor, and in a second column, write out the weaknesses of each. You will find the ones that are no longer in business have a longer list of weaknesses, or one weakness so overpowering that you wrote it in CAPITAL LETTERS.
Combine the lists of weaknesses, and on another page, a list of the strengths.
Do the same thing, honestly, for your company. Stand outside your own shadow, and write honestly. You don't have to show this to anyone, so be as candid as you can be. Include your own personal strengths and weaknesses right along with the company's.
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Oh, wait....that's another recipe.
If the weakness you wrote for your company match the weaknesses of the companies that are out of business, you now have a blueprint to change your company as quickly as you can.
If you see that your strengths are in the same categories as your competitors weakness, go after these areas. Promote and advertise your strength. Invest in your strengths to improve your facilities and your people. Your weaknesses will probably be the strengths of the current companies. Start a 'weakness-of-the-month' plan, trying to improve one area a month within your firm. Look at the other's strengths, and use those as benchmarks for your growth.
Make a list, check it twice, and suddenly, your company is better, (translate=more profitable). This is not rocket science. You can do it. Sometimes you need an outsider to help you understand your own strengths and weaknesses and to help you lay out a path to improve. No matter---it is up to you to do it the improving
Nobody knows your strengths and weaknesses better than you do. If you are honest about your company and your competitors, you will have a handy checklist for a year's worth of improvements in your hands.
So, write down seven top competitors to your broadest lines over the last three years, ignoring if they are currently in business or not. For each one, take a few minutes and write out all of the strong points of each competitor, and in a second column, write out the weaknesses of each. You will find the ones that are no longer in business have a longer list of weaknesses, or one weakness so overpowering that you wrote it in CAPITAL LETTERS.
Combine the lists of weaknesses, and on another page, a list of the strengths.
Do the same thing, honestly, for your company. Stand outside your own shadow, and write honestly. You don't have to show this to anyone, so be as candid as you can be. Include your own personal strengths and weaknesses right along with the company's.
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Oh, wait....that's another recipe.
If the weakness you wrote for your company match the weaknesses of the companies that are out of business, you now have a blueprint to change your company as quickly as you can.
If you see that your strengths are in the same categories as your competitors weakness, go after these areas. Promote and advertise your strength. Invest in your strengths to improve your facilities and your people. Your weaknesses will probably be the strengths of the current companies. Start a 'weakness-of-the-month' plan, trying to improve one area a month within your firm. Look at the other's strengths, and use those as benchmarks for your growth.
Make a list, check it twice, and suddenly, your company is better, (translate=more profitable). This is not rocket science. You can do it. Sometimes you need an outsider to help you understand your own strengths and weaknesses and to help you lay out a path to improve. No matter---it is up to you to do it the improving
Nobody knows your strengths and weaknesses better than you do. If you are honest about your company and your competitors, you will have a handy checklist for a year's worth of improvements in your hands.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Is There Religion In Your Company?
Last week our Presidential candidates were speaking about the role of religion in their lives. We see and hear this every day from the news media, and the pollsters seem to feel that religion will have a large impact on the election. Most, but not all, Americans are affiliated with an organized religion. What does this mean for your glass company? How does religion affect how you operate your business?
The answer is it shouldn't.
I know, treat people fairly and honestly; do not lie or cheat; and don't say bad things about other people, or religions. These may be religious tenants, but they are rules that we should all live by....no matter what or if there is a religious factor in your life.
So, what is this blog about?
Religion is a significant part of most Americans life. Let's see where religion does impact our businesses. The largest impact is on hiring. You cannot ask some one's religion; you cannot ask what Church they go to; you cannot ask if they keep a special diet proscribed by their religion; you can't ask their opinion on religious beliefs; and you cannot make being a follower of a certain religion a prerequisite for hiring.
You can ask if someone is honest, loyal and all of the Boy Scout Oath characteristics. You just can't ask about religion.
You should ask if the potential employee can work overtime...if they have any work restrictions. If you have a "Bona Fide Occupational Qualification" (BOQ), that says an employee must be available on Friday nights, and a Jewish person will not be available on Friday nights, you may pass on this person. This has to be a legitimate need. Not just a made-up need to help you screen people. If you are hiring for a week-end shift, and the applicant says he cannot work on Sunday Morning, from 9:00 to noon, then you have the right not to hire. But, if you hire someone for a Mon-Fri job, and later you ask for Sunday O/T, you can't force someone to come in on Sunday, if they say their religious observations conflict. You can't punish them, or fire them for not coming in on Sunday, (or Friday night if Jewish) if you didn't tell the employee at the time of hire that there may be O/T at these times.
Yes, you can hire people of all one religion. You can put religious signs or icons in your showroom. You may mention Biblical quotes in your advertising, or have them written on your truck. But, you may not make being of a certain religion the only criteria for hiring. If you only advertise for help-wanted in Church newsletters, or on Religious Radio Stations, your applicants may fit your desire. The biggest mistake you can make, though, is turning someone down, who may otherwise be qualified, and wants to work for you at your stated wages, because you don't know, or disagree with their religion.
It is OK for you to give a discount to your local church when they need glass work. You don't have to give a discount to every Church that calls you. But if you give every religious group a discount, don't hold back if a Church you disagree with asks for a price. Legal or not doesn't matter as much as the bad publicity you can create.
You can close on religious holidays. It is your right to run your business as you see fit, but be sure to pay everyone the same for the day off. This may be no pay...that is OK as long as you do it consistently through your company. If you give employees an option to work on Good Friday, you should also offer the same option for other religious days, such as Ramadan or Passover. Don't get carried away with this...you can probably find an obscure religious holiday on just about any day of the year. Know your workforce, and set this policy accordingly.
You should also be aware that there are organized religions that don't celebrate holidays. If an employee is a member of the Jehovah's Witness religion, they won't accept a Christmas Bonus. If you give this as a performance bonus, it is OK. If you put "Christmas Bonus" on the check, it will not be cashed. You should be aware of your co-workers so you don't embarrass yourself or your employee.
If your business niche is to service religious buildings, then advertise it. Tell about your expertise with stained glass, for instance.
You can do a lot with your personal religiosity in your business. You can and should set an example of personal ethics and integrity. You just can't discriminate in hiring or in pricing with customers.
The answer is it shouldn't.
I know, treat people fairly and honestly; do not lie or cheat; and don't say bad things about other people, or religions. These may be religious tenants, but they are rules that we should all live by....no matter what or if there is a religious factor in your life.
So, what is this blog about?
Religion is a significant part of most Americans life. Let's see where religion does impact our businesses. The largest impact is on hiring. You cannot ask some one's religion; you cannot ask what Church they go to; you cannot ask if they keep a special diet proscribed by their religion; you can't ask their opinion on religious beliefs; and you cannot make being a follower of a certain religion a prerequisite for hiring.
You can ask if someone is honest, loyal and all of the Boy Scout Oath characteristics. You just can't ask about religion.
You should ask if the potential employee can work overtime...if they have any work restrictions. If you have a "Bona Fide Occupational Qualification" (BOQ), that says an employee must be available on Friday nights, and a Jewish person will not be available on Friday nights, you may pass on this person. This has to be a legitimate need. Not just a made-up need to help you screen people. If you are hiring for a week-end shift, and the applicant says he cannot work on Sunday Morning, from 9:00 to noon, then you have the right not to hire. But, if you hire someone for a Mon-Fri job, and later you ask for Sunday O/T, you can't force someone to come in on Sunday, if they say their religious observations conflict. You can't punish them, or fire them for not coming in on Sunday, (or Friday night if Jewish) if you didn't tell the employee at the time of hire that there may be O/T at these times.
Yes, you can hire people of all one religion. You can put religious signs or icons in your showroom. You may mention Biblical quotes in your advertising, or have them written on your truck. But, you may not make being of a certain religion the only criteria for hiring. If you only advertise for help-wanted in Church newsletters, or on Religious Radio Stations, your applicants may fit your desire. The biggest mistake you can make, though, is turning someone down, who may otherwise be qualified, and wants to work for you at your stated wages, because you don't know, or disagree with their religion.
It is OK for you to give a discount to your local church when they need glass work. You don't have to give a discount to every Church that calls you. But if you give every religious group a discount, don't hold back if a Church you disagree with asks for a price. Legal or not doesn't matter as much as the bad publicity you can create.
You can close on religious holidays. It is your right to run your business as you see fit, but be sure to pay everyone the same for the day off. This may be no pay...that is OK as long as you do it consistently through your company. If you give employees an option to work on Good Friday, you should also offer the same option for other religious days, such as Ramadan or Passover. Don't get carried away with this...you can probably find an obscure religious holiday on just about any day of the year. Know your workforce, and set this policy accordingly.
You should also be aware that there are organized religions that don't celebrate holidays. If an employee is a member of the Jehovah's Witness religion, they won't accept a Christmas Bonus. If you give this as a performance bonus, it is OK. If you put "Christmas Bonus" on the check, it will not be cashed. You should be aware of your co-workers so you don't embarrass yourself or your employee.
If your business niche is to service religious buildings, then advertise it. Tell about your expertise with stained glass, for instance.
You can do a lot with your personal religiosity in your business. You can and should set an example of personal ethics and integrity. You just can't discriminate in hiring or in pricing with customers.
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