Anyone here been a general labourer? Is it worth doing this job?
Posted by Traditional_Room_830@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 32 comments
Desperate for a job, I see a few labourer jobs about, is it worth getting into or should I go for something else. What are the pros and cons of doing it
Sirlacker@reddit
If you're desperate for a job then yeah, but I'd be looking for another job whilst having this one.
Labourers get shit on. It's minimal pay, maximum effort.
You're doing ALL the grunt work. God forbid you think 'I'll smash out carrying all this real quick so I can have 5 minutes of doing nothing'. You'll be told to do something else.
You'll be expected to carry stuff heavier than the 25kg single person lift capacity on your own. They can't make you, but if you don't they'll start finding reasons to fire you.
It's a thankless job that's extremely hard work, but it is a job.
Goosoey123@reddit
There are a lot of cons in these jobs… they don’t do any background checks at all
mizcello@reddit
Me. Honestly it was fine, I kept physically fit, not too serious, lot of laughs, some downtime, I slept good at night, learn a lot, trades will be willing to teach you if you show an interest in helping.
Cons: weather is bad even if it’s hot or cold, can be low pay for hard work.
More pros than cons imo.
I was a girl fresh out of school 12 years ago and now have my own construction business 2 houses on the go and just got planning for 3rd. I still do an odd day helping out people labouring, keeps my days mixed up and keeps me involved rather than just doing paperwork/ordering etc all the time.
gherkinassassin@reddit
Wages aren't the best but if you add the cost of a gym membership (which you'll no longer need to pay for) to your wages, it's not that bad.
Low-Captain1721@reddit
I used to work as an Office Manager for a construction industry company.
If you're a good labourer, physically very fit, hard working & have a very thick skin you can earn very decent money as general labourers are vital for many companies.
You will likely have to prove yourself and may well have to put up with quite a few companies who hire then let you go quickly.
You will probably need a CSCS card however easy to get & register for CIS.
SomeHSomeE@reddit
If you're physically fit and don't mind being told what to do and being at the bottom of the pecking order then sure it's fine. It won't be glamorous or easy work but it'll pay the bills while you look for something else.
Vivid-Combination-74@reddit
100%, and if people see you aren’t afraid of a bit of graft they might offer you something as a groundworker, brickie, joiner etc.
The tradesmen on sites earn silly money and are done by 4pm most days. Rather be a tradesman than stuck in a sole less office 10 hours a day.
math577@reddit
It's not silly money just to correct this. You can make silly money if you do guvvy's a lot but you got to put the time in for it. Site times are usually 7 or 8 until 4pm unless you're up against it with how the jobs have been priced and you have to do extra.
Vivid-Combination-74@reddit
Depends on your definition i suppose. Plenty of brickies earning £1500/2000 a week before any side work. So yeah silly money is a stretch but way above the average UK salary. They earn it though fair play to them.
unbelievablydull82@reddit
Labouring can take it's toll long term. My dad was a labourer for over 50 years. By his mid fifties his knees were fucked, and his feet so swollen we had to help him take off his shoes.
Scarred_fish@reddit
Best way to start any career.
Get to try all the various aspects, masses of training opportunities and a crazy wide range of work.
I started as a labourer and now senior management, but still get back to the tools whoever the chance arises.
Geezer-McGeezer@reddit
Being shouted at all day - More bricks, more muck.
But the more brickies you can service, the better the pay.
IntrepidMaybe8579@reddit
Yes its worth it mate! Swear down people avoid all these jobs and never know all the high paying jobs they can do without college go to work and start labor yesterday, just work work work man thats its.. if its a crap dead end job guess what your co worker is quitting to do so and so with so and so and now you have a better understanding of different roles over time you learn the actual system.. i went from shoveling ditches to equipment operator to foreman in 3 years just get experienced at working hard and general knowledge and after trying a few things u can find a seriously good sort of role…
Just work hard and act very motivated and interested in everything you do learn it all as much as you can and always be learning from others aswell.. all my biggest pay raises were from someone else on a job site or around that specific industry telling me what they make doing what they do bla bla then if you been doing good at whatever you were already doing then that guy will vouch for you and then you just keep bouncing jobs learning and climbing the ladders until your set in a direction and then excel at it.. once you understand something well enough you can chill abit and you will be the one they want to oversee things
Mthreefivee@reddit
They money’s not bad but prepare to be at the bottom of the ladder on site. It’s a pretty good way to get into construction and the pay is nice for not much responsibility, but the danger is getting trapped on a semi-okay wage and not progressing into any further training. Definitely give it a go, but keep an eye out and show willingness for any further training.
Like if it’s a civil/ utilities labourer job, 100% see if you can get any machinery tickets/ qualifications.
Mithrandearyme@reddit
You'll be first on site, last to leave, work the hardest and paid the least. I did it for a couple of years in my youth and was glad I left before my body started to feel it.
BENZAEMON@reddit
When I moved to London I worked as a day laborer for 6 months whilst trying to get into my chosen profession. After I did, it took me 2.5 years to get back to the same day rate (my chosen profession is creative and it starts low tho.)
Perfect_Ground692@reddit
I was a fat 19 year old who didn't do much other than get stoned and play games. Got a job as a labourer for a relatively large company, very much out my comfort zone. Lost a shit load of weight, met some top blokes, was relatively good fun, albeit hard work. Few of the subcontractors were interested in showing me their trade and if I wanted it, doors were open for me to learn and potentially join them, so good place to find a more skilled job too.
That was my experience at least, I'm sure it varies wildly, definitely better than nothing though if you need money. Worst case you get paid, best case you enjoy it and it helps you move on to better things on more money!
Probs4PintsDeep@reddit
I'd say it's worth it yeah, just look into doing your own self assessment at the end of the year as high street accountants will charge an arm and a leg for basically just inputting numbers into a website
rrainingcatz@reddit
There are only pros apart from weather if you’re working outdoors. I was a director of a landscaping business and we had a few labourers over the years. You’ll have an income, learn to work with people, develop skills and have all of this on your CV. I don’t know how old you are but it’s a great stepping stone for your first job.
jonpenryn@reddit
A mate is a labourer and i was surprised to find out just how qualified he was, Health and safety, Tele Handling etc he has all sorts of certificates, worth having.
Character-Bid-5089@reddit
Got to start somewhere.
Mysterious_Use4478@reddit
Besides what others have said, (which I agree with), the culture of the company/people you end up with makes all the difference. Even more so than in other fields, as while labourers are essential & valuable, you are at the bottom of the pecking order. Some tradespeople would see themselves as above you.
Public-Amphibian4698@reddit
If you are that desperate for a job then just do it. It’s just moving stuff from A to B. May learn some skills at the same time.
fuzyfelt@reddit
Maybe. It can save you a gym membership and lead to better things.
You'd be best doing it if a CSCS card is required - costs about £40 I think. Then it will be on a "proper" building site and they are generally safe, and you will get at least minimum wage.
Cash-in-hand can be dodgy. I've walked away from a job which had dodgy scaffolding.
I only did it for a couple of months years ago, aged 40. Digging holes is the hardest work I've ever done.
JedAndWhite@reddit
Started as a landscaping labourer about thirty years ago. Show a bit of brain, make life easy for the lads you're working with, and you'll be golden.
You may even get a trade out of it. I ended up doing the gardening side of landscaping, with all my qualifications paid for by my employer.
1985885xl@reddit
I liked these jobs for the physicality of them back when I was younger, kept you fit
CarpeCyprinidae@reddit
theres a sense of satisfaction in using your strength to do work and earn money too - its the ultimate honest work
bishibashi@reddit
You’ll get strong, tanned, ok money and possibly a chance to get into a trade. Give it a go if you’re young and fit.
not1or2@reddit
Getting a new job is easier if you’re working already. Means also you have money coming in, it’s more experience to put down and depending on who/where etc you’re working for you may be able to pick up extra training, move up the ranks etc. I’d say go for it.
luckylooey7@reddit
General labourer for what kind of company & what site would dictate your answers.
Hard to say without any additional information.
Labouring can lead into more training & potentially a trade.
If you are desperate just take it & see how she goes it’s no drama if you decide it’s not for you.
Additional-Nobody352@reddit
Did it for 2/3 weeks about 13/14 years ago when i was between jobs.
it's a;right as a temp job but wouldn't want to do it long term.
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