Hiring a Student

[jamoor]

Basically I hired a student to do some computer programming work for me, I agreed on £700.

He has been doing it for a year on and off and has been extrememly professional and made changes where requested and added a couple of features where I didn't ask for originally, basicall I feel like a bit of a bastard by only giving him £700 which is what we agreed on, he also had his uni mate help him with some work that he didn't know how to do.
I am thinking of just rounding it up to £1k, however I don't want to make it seem as though I think he needs it or anything, basically don't want either of us to end up in a potentially embarassing situation. Do you think I should "tip" him or should I just leave it?

I don't want him to turn around and think I am an ass because I think he is needy or anything.

Any ideas?

[jardinec]

If your happy with the job just say "I think you have done a great job and I appreciate the extra time and effort you have spent on this project, here is an extra £300" can't see him feeling anything other than chuffed!

[Gordon Brown]

jardinec said:

If your happy with the job just say "I think you have done a great job and I appreciate the extra time and effort you have spent on this project, here is an extra £300" can't see him feeling anything other than chuffed!

what he said.

[Mattt]

Either that or buy him a gift, or take him out for a meal/night out.

[Simpo Two]

Nowt to with him being 'needy' - if you think he's earned £1,000, and you can afford it and you want to have a highly loyal supplier in the future, do it.

As a colleague of mine says 'Always stay one favour ahead'. One day you might need him!

[sgrimshaw]

Pay him the extra money, as you say he's earned it.

Also, give him some free advice .....

"In future, when your customer changes his specification, remember to tell him how much extra his changes will cost - before you do them."

[jamoor]

sgrimshaw said:

Pay him the extra money, as you say he's earned it.

Also, give him some free advice .....

"In future, when your customer changes his specification, remember to tell him how much extra his changes will cost - before you do them."

of course, so next time I use him (likely) he shafts me :P

[Marki]

jamoor said:

sgrimshaw said:

Pay him the extra money, as you say he's earned it.

Also, give him some free advice .....

"In future, when your customer changes his specification, remember to tell him how much extra his changes will cost - before you do them."

of course, so next time I use him (likely) he shafts me :P

Probably

[mcflurry]

Why not buy him an Ipod Touch or Asus eee instead?
Similar cost, but all geeks like toys

[groomi]

mcflurry said:

Why not buy him an Ipod Touch or Asus eee instead?
Similar cost, but all geeks like toys

I would say that the money is a more profession way of rewarding somebodies hard work. If he was an employee then fair enough, a gift would be good. But as an outsourced supplier, paying an additional amount to the original agreed value is the more appropriate method.

ETA: Remember to avoid setting a precedent. Make it clear that the extra money is because he has carried out extra work to the original agreement. Don't let him start to think that he will get extra money just for doing the job well - after all, that is what you expect anyway.

Edited by groomi on Wednesday 7th November 22:11