Please help? Question on ethics?

[Cookiebaker]

We are having the interior of our house painted all this next week, and I'm just wondering if it is proper to put food/drinks out for them? And if so, what? We don't drink beer, but should I get some to offer them, or is that taboo? Any thoughts would be appreciated... Thanks!

[moosmom]

C.B.

Nope, it's not tabboo. When I moved, I fed the movers (went to Subway and got subs and stuff). If it were me, I'd serve non-alcoholic beverages.

[Pam]

If they are going to be there all day long they may already have made plans to break for lunch somewhere close by. They may just want to 'get away' as we all do when we are working and it's lunch time. I would have something on hand to be able to share with them just in case. I would stick with non-alcoholic beverages too. It sounds like your house is getting a spring makeover. How nice!

[Corinna]

It is not required, but my hubby does hard wood floors and the guys really do apprecate it when it happens. As to beer if the state inspectors or OSA shows up they and you can be fined . Stick to soda pop. Sandwitches are usually the best and least messy.

[mugsy]

I'm not sure they would even be allowed to drink beer on the job. I usually make Kool-Aid or Iced tea if there is a maintenance man in the area. I agree with the sandwiches and maybe some chips set out that they can munch on.

[KYS]

I have always offered soft drinks/or bottled ice water.
(if my husband is home he will go out and get donuts.)

[sasvermont]

I usually feed the day workers, and sometimes that is part of the deal. Painters are another story as far as I am concerned. I have never fed painters or tipped them. They usually charge such a high rate of pay that I figured it comes built in to the price. However, if you are not paying much and feel it would be a kind gesture, then by all means, please do feed or snack them!

Booze, well, I would pass on that. You don't want to get sued for someone falling off a ladder!

Painters around here get between $18-20 per hour plus paint!

[Cookiebaker]

Thanks for the replies!!! I feel so much better to have input on this! I definitely will not do beer (I wasn't real comfortable with that anyway). Since they will be here all week long (5 days) I think that I will do a pot of coffee & little donuts or danishes in the morning...and then like a pitcher of iced tea and snacks in the afternoon.

My house is in utter chaos right now because we have to pack everything up and move all the furniture. I will be *so* glad to have this over & done with!!! I hate chaos. UGGH!!

[aly]

Hehe, if you give them beer, who knows what they'll be painting on your walls

My parents always fed our movers when we moved (which was like once a year). Your idea sounds good. Snacks and beverages work well instead of full meals.

[Kfamr]

Yeah.. not sure it would be good to go with beer

[Karen]

Yup, I'm sure they will appreciate it! I agree with the "no beer," as you never know when there is someone who is struggling with alocoholism in the midst, and might feel pressured by co-workers ... Non-alcoholic beverages are always safest!

[jenluckenbach]

I think your decision of coffee/donuts and then ice tea/snacks is perfect.

[popcornbird]

When we have people working in our house, we ALWAYS offer them something to eat. If they are here at meal time, its usually a sandwich or something and juice. If they are just working for a long while and its not meal time, we usually just give them juice or soda with cookies, cake, or some "snack." Alcoholic beverages do not enter our house, so thats a big no. lol I don't think you HAVE to do it, but if you want to, go ahead.

[smokey the elder]

I think a nice nosh with some non-alcoholic beverages is a nice gesture. (It works for mill and plant trials, too! Donuts or 'za (pizza) were the universal currency. )

[Vermontcat]

Hey Cookiebaker! You could always bake them some cookies too, after all that is your name, isn't it.