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Contractors - Pros and Cons




Contractor At Work. 
Urban Native Homes Inc. downsized staff especially maintenance and the effects are apparent. ie: A refrigerator brakes down and the UNH’s office handed out gift cards to the tenant to compensate for the spoiled food.  The proper procedure is to have a appliance supplier handy for such emergencies and funds available to pay for the replacement.  Also contract maintenance to the KMHC grounds was the shits this summer.
Last Friday KMHC tenants received a “24 Hour Notice To Enter Unit” taped to their doors announcing there will be unit inspection carried out by a hired contractor on today’s date.  That’s fine with me last time we had a unit inspection was years ago when we had a superintendent.  So yesterday getting ready for the inspection I gave my unit a complete shakedown and prepare to ask questions regarding maintenance to my unit and will there be a follow-up.  I plan to be present when the contractor knocks on my door.  I don’t like strangers entering my dwelling unless invited or I’m lying in a pool of blood and need medical attention.  Anyway the unit inspection never took place the contractor guys showed up after 9 am then soon after I heard them complaining about something as they walked to their truck and drove off.  So here I am thinking are they going for a coffee run and coming back to start the job.  We tenants are waiting and being inconvenienced I manage to work around my errands and appointments for a bloody unit inspection that never happened.  Thank you UNH’s. :P

We were never notified of the cancellation, today nothing was accomplished in the KMHC office and that’s their problem.  I know one thing I want a new written “24 Hour Notice To Enter” from the office before anybody steps foot in my unit.
The difference between employees and hiring independent contractors: staff knows what the job entails and will not leave in a huff.  Contractors can come and go as they please plus there is no loyalty and the employer is not allowed to tell the contractor how to do the job.  Should an employer do this the contractor will be deemed an employee thus the employer must pay full wages and benefits.  Something I’m sure UNH’s doesn’t want to do.
From what I've heard independent contractors sued UNH's. I don't know if it's resolved or still pending.  When will the women *UNH's* learn to stop dragging cheap labour off the streets and hire experienced maintenance staff that cares.  Sheesh! 

tk

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