[Outdated, please look at pinned post] Casual Conversation

My step uncle is one of the most thoughtful and considerate bosses I have ever experienced. It was just him, myself and his best friend Artur doing construction for years after hurricane Sandy. The pay wasn't amazing for any of us but it was how he treated us and the other couple people that would rotate in that really stayed with me.

It's the only place I've ever been encouraged to take the breaks needed when doing grueling, back breaking labor in the blistering heat and freezing cold. I was also encouraged and told to take the time actually needed to complete a task as long as it was done correctly. I honestly only saw us mess up a bare handful of times in the five years I worked for him.

He bought us lunch every day. Normally at some cool local joint he knew in the area we were working in. And lunch was almost always closer to two hours than one. We pretty much would finish lunch then have poop time because we were all on the same schedule.

My work day "started" at 8am. But that just was when I got to his house and he'd be there reading the paper eating breakfast. I was offered anything at the table, always given coffee when I asked. About thirty minutes after I showed up, I'd be asked to go grab Artur from his little studio apartment out back.

I wasn't treated this way because I was family. Anyone that worked with us was treated the same way. Like a human being.

Don't get me wrong. We absolutely busted our asses and did high quality work. And if we had to pour a foundation or something time sensitive, that shit always got done in the time needed.

This is how bosses are supposed to be. Leading from the front lines. Leading by example.