MDShunk

Home Depot might be turning over a new leaf. Found this ad online tonight for their location in Carlisle, PA:

Job Title: Master Electrician (FT and PT)
Job Order #: WEB801067 Posting Date: 06/27/2007
Location: Home Depot, Carlisle, PA 17013
Salary: Competitive Salary
Type Of Work: Full-time, Part-Time
Category: Permanent
Shift: Day, Evening, Weekend
Job Summary: Pay up to $25.00 hour DOE . Full time (40 hours per week) and Part-time (20 hours per week) positions available. Set schedule is offered as long as applicant can work on Saturday or Sunday. These are sales associate positions for skilled trades people. They are great opportunities for construction folks that just want to get out of the construction field and work inside. Also great for retired electricians that just want PT hours. The job would be to assist customers with their electrical questions. Must have 5-6 years work experience in the field Must posses an active electrical license within the last 6 years from a state or appropriate licensing agency/board. All applicants need to pass a drug screen and background check. In order to be considered for employment applicants MUST click on 'I Want to Apply' and then FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS to submit an on-line application for the employer. Once you have completed the on-line application you need to speak with a PA CareerLink staffmember for further instructions.
Education Level: High School Diploma
Number of Hours: 40 per Week

What really worries me about this is that it transfers a heck of a lot of professional liability from Home Depot to the clerk who takes this job, since he's the one with the professional tradecraft license. I feel sorry for the person who might unwittingly take this job, and end up in court possibly one day for "bad advice" that got somebody hurt of killed. You have no control over how people use your advice.

__________________
-Marc, ABC, XYZ, PhD, 1-2-3

-Someday, I'll wear pajamas in the day time.

JohnJ0906

Pros and cons of course.

Better advice for HOs. Some of what they get now....

There would be no way on earth my licence would be involved if I was to take a position like this.

__________________
John from Baltimore
"One day at a Time"
All responses based on the '08 NEC
It's not my fault, it's not my problem, I'm not your solution.

Dayne

For $25 bucks?! Yea, where's my resume........hahaha....where do I sign

MDShunk

I have to think that 25 dollar pay is some kind of sneaky hook. Pay up to 25 dollars an hour... for store managers, maybe? Sales related quota, or something along those lines? I dunno. Sounds like an okay thing for a retired electrician, though.

__________________
-Marc, ABC, XYZ, PhD, 1-2-3

-Someday, I'll wear pajamas in the day time.

Dayne

Oh yea, good call, I missed that. It might not be a bad gig for the old timer who can't sit around in his old age. The liability I couldn't deal with though. And the headache of home depot shoppers trying to explain how they can't figure out how to install "pot lights"........recessed lights, stupid HGTV.

GregS

That is strange. They must really have something lined up for them, because they aren't going to be paying this person $25/hour for stocking shelves and sorting out the conduit fittings.

If you guys picked up on the license liability, then hopefully whomever goes for the job knows this too and will address it.

"I'm a licensed electrician, yet I take no responsibility for the actions that come about from the advice I give you. May I help you?"

sparkysteve

I got a letter in the mail from Home Depot asking for help from guys like us. They were looking for plumbers to. Sounds like what I want to do part time when I'm about 55. They have a few retired sparkies at my local HD store. I've talked to them when I have been shopping for stuff for my house or side job supplies. I've asked them about their job, and it sounds like their hands are tied when it comes to giving advice. They told me they are ONLY allowed to give customers the materials they need to do the job, not ANY advice on how to do it. Liability issues I guess. They don't want to be held responsible when some homeowner fries himself hanging a ceiling fan. The job dosen't really seem like a bad deal. I don't know if the $25/hr. is a reality, but if it is, I'm interested, after working in 90+ humid weather last week. I'm not real big on working on days the start with "S" though. I've always thought I looked good in orange. I need to find out who installs dimmer swited for HD during the dimmer switch sale for a $80 fee. I could do alot of those in a day.

yanici

I'm a recently retired electrician. It seems like it would be ok to do if the hours were right. Heck, instead of giving advice on how to do a particular job, ask the customer if they want you to come by and install the electrical items. Those 3-ways can be awfully confusing to the average Joe.

mikewardjr

I hope someone with at least 5 yrs in the field. and posess's an active license would know not to tell a homeowner how to wire something. you tell them to read the directions

__________________
mikewardjr.com <---My web site that has absolutely nothing of use on it

MDShunk

I found another one of these Home Depot electrician wanted ads for a different store. This almost sounds like they want a salesperson to go out and cultivate relationships with electricians. Read this one, and tell me what you think:

Job Title: Master Electrical Specialist
Job Order #: WEB804959 Posting Date: 07/09/2007
Employer Name: The Home Depot#4168

Type Of Work: Full-time, Part-Time
Shift: Day, Evening, Weekend
Location: Hanover, PA 17331-5221
Salary: $26.00 / hour
Category: Permanent
Job Summary: Must possess an active electrical state/agency license within the last six years and 5 plus years experience as an electrician. Full time and part time benefits, tuition reimbursement (full-time) 401 (k) retirement plan, bonus opportunities and a career with growth opportunity. Master electrical specialist are primarily responsible for actively seeking and providing customer service to all customers, with emphasis on residential, repair and remodel, and other professional customers within the electrical department. Associates in this position work closely with the Pro Account Sales associates in providing outstanding service to customers through the sharing of product knowledge and developing and maintaining professional customer relationships, paying special attention to customers' needs and solutions, etc. Apply online at company website

__________________
-Marc, ABC, XYZ, PhD, 1-2-3

-Someday, I'll wear pajamas in the day time.

electricguy

wow A master Electrician is only worth 26/hr

MDShunk

That too, but think of this more in terms of what the typical HD employee must make. You might not be real popular at the break room lunch table.

__________________
-Marc, ABC, XYZ, PhD, 1-2-3

-Someday, I'll wear pajamas in the day time.

Joe Momma

The job would be to assist customers with their electrical questions.

This sentence seems like it would alleviate liability and put it on Home Depot's shoulder's

__________________
Joe Momma was here

Joe Momma

It's surprising to hear some the knowledge being shared while looking for your parts. a couple times I've corrected them, but most times I shake my head.

__________________
Joe Momma was here

bobelectric

Roger that