Skip to content
Worker Portal
Management
- Jim and Kelley are PATCHEN Owners (both farms)
- Salvador is Farm Manager (both farms)
The Job Descriptions
Hours and Scheduling (See Kelley for details)
- Business hours are generally 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (both farms)
- "OPENER" shift is usually 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (6 hrs)
- "CLOSER" shift is usually 11:00 am to 5:00 pm (6 hrs)
- "PEAKER" shift is usually 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (6 hrs)
- Times are variable depending on weather and seasonal changes.
- Shift assignments are found at ConnecTeam
- The Season is Saturday before Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve
- Check ConnecTeam for schedule changes, and respond with the app (no voice or text)
- The two charts below show why the Thanksgiving weekend and the following two are critical
- The first shows five weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas (every seven years)
- The typical pattern is without the fifth weekend.
- Weather can distort this pattern (irregular worker hours).
- The other chart shows typical daily customer traffic
- This accounts for the staggering shifts
- Rain often results in shortened workdays
- In rare storms, one or both farms might close early or not open at all
- If notification is not possible, everyone affected earns a minimum of 2 hours of "show-up" pay.
Transportation & Parking
- Workers are encouraged to provide their own transportation.
- Working hours can change quickly with weather and business conditions.
- Carpooling is risky because hours for one person can change and not for others.
- Worker parking is shown below - exact locations to be confirmed on opening day;
- Old Town
- Upper right corner of map, next to the red concrete driveway
- Lower right corner of map on Old Santa Cruz (reserved for customers on busy weekends)
- Lower right corner of map, on the right, 50 yards up Melody
- Rancho
- Upper left corner of map (outside upper gate)
Preparation
- Workers who know more about PATCHEN and Christmas trees earn more.
- The keys to generous tips and good bonuses;
- Knowledge of PATCHEN
- Knowledge of local history
- Product knowledge (trees, wreaths, Tree-Fresh items)
- Good attitude
- Pleasant appearance
Back To Contents
Compensation
- All workers are classified under California law as "Casual Farm Workers";
- No benefits
- No regular hours
- No minimum wage requirement
- Earning over legal limit requires 1099 (see Kelley)
- Compensation comes in four (-4-) parts
- (-1-) All PATCHEN workers start at $17.75 /hr minimum.
- (-2-) Tips are yours to keep - the highest known daily total is over $300; the lowest is $0.00.
- Tree Handler is an “Equal Opportunity", "Potentially Very Profitable" job
- Friendly and helpful efforts result in handsome tips.
- Slow-moving, sloppy-dressed, long-haired, with tattoos, nose rings, etc. usually result in little or none.
- Responsible, Presentable Workers will do well, as will PATCHEN, because of them.
- Cashiers generally receive fewer tips but lots of "smiles" and "thank-yous" earn them good bonuses.
- Shop Helpers also receive less in tips but make up the difference with good bonuses.
- Tip jars are supplied by PATCHEN where appropriate - others are NOT allowed.
- Signage or "subtle" gestures reminding customers to tip are also NOT allowed.
- Cashiers, Wreath Makers, Santa, and Grinch share in serving cider and wine tasting.
. . . tips go into a "house account", and are shared proportionally between participating workers.
- (-3-) Each worker is eligible to receive a Season Bonus, depending on;
- Number of Customers Served (Brochure List count)
- Accuracy of Transaction Reporting (Brochure accuracy)
- Customer Helpfulness (management feedback)
- Quiz scores and demonstrated knowledge of the PATCHEN Website
- At the end of the Season payment is made by;
- Check sent to the mailing address you entered on the application (up to five days)
- Venmo
- Zelle
- PayPal
Back To Contents
Dos & Don'ts
- Do leave pets at home.
- Do bring a sack lunch to eat while working (no scheduled lunch breaks)
- Do bring rain gear and warm clothing.
- Do stay on your toes with a saw and Brochure in hand.
- Do seek out customers and introduce yourself
- Do keep an eye on YOUR customers (Tips & Bonus depend on it)
- Do consult the odd-jobs list when business is slow
- Do leave cell phones in your pocket.
- Do take personal items when you leave (abandoned ones go in garbage can)
- Don't invite friends to visit (unless they are buying something!).
- Don't congregate in the Saw Shed or around the Shop or Cashier.
- Don't wait for customers to come to you.
- Don't presume that slow times are "stand-around" or "text and web-surf" times.
- Don't come with sloppy clothes, piercings, visible tattoos or purple hair.
- Don't assume you can use chain saws (Jim or Salvador will authorize some).
- Don't assume you can use Gator or tractor (Jim or Salvador will authorize some).
