I've only been at my first host position about 2 weeks, and I've been busting my you know what every day! I'm enjoying being outside, love talking to the guests, but....
When I interviewed for the spot, I was told it was a camp host position, cleaning sites, helping guests if they needed anything, and that it would be hot. Could I handle the heat he asked...yes, I was born and grew up here, I'm good with heat. I'm 39 years old, disabled for about 8 years now, but still want to be active. Told him I am great with folks (I am ) will work hard, and take pride in my park. However, in the past weeks, I've had to weedeat everyday, use a manual push mower (neither of which will stay running long enough to get much done) load and stack LOTS of wood, etc. Now, mind you, I believe in doing anything for a job, basically not ever saying "That's not in my job description", but I was wondering what some other camp hosts think? I spoke with my boss and explained that I hadn't applied for a maintenance host spot, and that I was incapable of doing this kind of heavy work, so now I'm in limbo, not sure if he will be able to keep me on or not.
I really have worked very hard trying to beautify this park, and help clean up a lot of things I've noticed, along with going above and beyond for guests, because I believe customer service is a thing of the past, and I want people to be happy. I would really like to hear what others think...good and bad
Me, my hubby, and our new pup, a mini dachshund named Fred
2008 Keystone Cougar
2001 Chevy 3500 Dually 8.1L Vortec
Some private park owners see 'hosts' as almost free labor and will take advantage of you.
When I was a Host, we could only do certain tasks as outlined in the Illinois Administrative Code:
1. Collecting camping fees.
2. Giving the campers information about the local area.
3. Making sure there was TP in the bathrooms.
4, Answering questions presented by the campers.
Anything else was the job of the full-time employees (union rules).
Paul
Extra Class Ham Radio operator - K9ERG (since 1956)
Retired Electronics Engineer and Antenna Designer
Was a campground host at IBSP (2006-2010) - now retired.
Single - Full-timer
2005 Four Winds 29Q
1982 6.2L Diesel Suburban 1500
state park camp host requirements differ from state to state. as do the amenities for the host.
as I see it, if it is not spelled out at the beginning, you have a legitimate gripe, but it probably won't do you any good. mark this spot off your list.
and, as time goes by, you'll find that some campgrounds are easier than others just by who and how many use them.
destination parks are probably the hardest because they will be full most of the time.
TexasShadow
Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE/ 3126B Cat
( Sometimes ) BMW K75 on Rear Carrier
Jeep Grand Cherokee Toad
M&G aux brake system
Datastorm 3990
854 watts of solar power
Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.
There is no right or wrong. If you believe they are expecting you to do things that weren't spelled out in the beginning, then you have every right to complain and if they dont' adjust to the original deal - leave.
Or stay.
A lot depends on your original agreement. Was anything written down? How many hours were expected per week? Are you exceeding those hours? Are you paid for hours worked or just getting your site?
Maybe the owner/manager just assumed you would know what you were getting into. If the agreement called for 25 hrs/week and there's not that much site cleaning/guest greeting, then maybe he's just trying to keep you busy for the required hours. Or he could be taking advantage of you. Tough call without knowing more details. All the work you described is typical in many places.
Joe and Dakota, the wacko cat
2006 Dodge 3500 QC CTD SRW Jacobs Exhaust brake
2006 Heartland Bighorn 3600RL, MorRyde suspension, TrailAir pinbox http://happykayakers.com/blogger/
I really appreciate all of the responses and I agree with all of you. Nothing was in writing, but none of the things I mentioned above were discussed in our interview. In addition to the things above, I also do all site cleaning, check in's and out's, wash all golf carts, lube and wash bicycles we rent, blow sidewalks and roads, and today cleaned bath houses. I'm working 25 hours a week (not over) and am getting FH in exchange. I will just have to think about it...The other hosts here only escort people to their sites. The paid employess only work inside the office/camp store.
Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to reply, I appreciate your thoughts!
If you agreed to work 25 hours and you are not being required to work more than that, then the only issue remaining is the type of work you are asked to do. If that work is not acceptable to you, you have 2 choices. Talk with your employer to see if he/she will assign tasks more to your liking, or simply move on. The latter might be the best choice as the employer still needs to have those tasks accomplished.
We're now in our 12th year fulltiming. We "workamp" 4-5 months/year. We've done the camp hosting thing and managed CG's as well as myriad other jobs. We've always been paid for hours worked, but it doesn't really matter. My theory is that I'm being paid for X number of hours worked and I expect to fill those hours with work. I will never cheat an employer out of time and I expect to be paid for mine. (Whether cash or barter) Frankly though, at $10/hr (varies) I really don't much care what they ask me to do as long I'm physically capable. When I'm working, I like to stay busy.
You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do. - Eleanor Roosevelt
If working for wages & spot then CG's usually expect more "work" out of hosts. I've found that exchanging hours worked for site is a more relaxed atmosphere for us hosts.
In general, hosts are older retired people and not up to handling hard labor. I agree that customer support should be at the top of the list. But some CG owners will take advantage of us and ask for too much. Only you can decide if it's worth it for you. I think you did the right thing, you told the owner.
Reminds me when I was a young kid working in a restaurant. I never worked so hard for so little pay in my life. But it was my first job and I didn't know any better.
Wow, what a bad situation. Total lack of communication, probably attributable to both sides. The park obviously should have mentioned that your position would include yard maintance. You probably should have been clearer in what tasks your disability can and cannot allow you to do. If you gave them a very opened statement such as "Even with my disability, I will do whatever needs to be done, within reason" may have given the owners the impression you could run a weed eater, push a lawn mower or stack cut firewood. Though those tasks are physically tiring, they do not really require much physical strength, just minor exertion and stamina and you did kind of imply that you have stamina when you mention the heat doesn't bother you.
Turning a bit governmental, one of the problems could be the park was terrified of ADA rules. You are not allowed to ask many questions about a person's ability to perform a task, or even inquire about their disabilities. Makes it pretty tough for an employer to actually decide on what tasks a potential employee can and cannot do. I actually applaud the park for taking a risk and hiring you.
As for the other workers jobs, I don't know the particulars, but at my parks, people who have been with us for years kind of get their pick of jobs and the newbies get the leftovers. Not sure that is any different than anywhere in the workplace.
I really don't know what you can or cannot do about your current situation. Doing something that may cause you longterm harm is surely not worth continuing. On the other hand, maybe the park doesn't have enough other tasks to justify your employment if you cannot do the tasks you have been assigned.
Maybe you can work it out with the other employees and get one of them to agree to do the mowing and weed whacking and you can do the site escorting, but they surely don't have to agree to do it. Maybe talking with the owner will help. Maybe you could agree to continue working until you found other, more fitting employment. Maybe you just need to leave.
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) will work hard, and take pride in my park. However, in the past weeks, I've had to weedeat everyday, use a manual push mower (neither of which will stay running long enough to get much done) load and stack LOTS of wood, etc. Now, mind you, I believe in doing anything for a job, basically not ever saying "That's not in my job description", but I was wondering what some other camp hosts think? I spoke with my boss and explained that I hadn't applied for a maintenance host spot, and that I was incapable of doing this kind of heavy work, so now I'm in limbo, not sure if he will be able to keep me on or not.
