landscape technician

maintenance person

team member

engineering team leader

snow plow operator

The Grounds Guys

A typical day usually consists of the owner letting you know the general location of the job site, but you will be responsible for knowing how to get there. There isn't a list of priorities, we basically bring any tool that'll work for the job and hope that when we get there we didn't forget anything. Mistakes happen frequently, usually the result of poor communication from the Office with the grounds crews. Good luck taking any bathroom breaks, they highly discourage any stops in an effort to get the job done faster. The owner watches all the trucks on GPS and it doesn't matter, he will find a way to let you know that you aren't allowed to stop for bathroom breaks. You won't really learn anything more than what is required to get the day done - the owner is not interested in setting up courses, or programs designed to learn more about the job. He wants you to show up on time, get out to the sites as fast as you can, and back at the shop in a timely manner. He cares only about his bottom line, he isn't interested in growing you - you're literally just a number to this guy, and that's even if he remembers you work for him. He is very disconnected.

A typical day usually consists of the owner letting you know the general location of the job site, but you will be responsible for knowing how to get there. There isn't a list of priorities, we basically bring any tool that'll work for the job and hope that when we get there we didn't forget anything. Mistakes happen frequently, usually the result of poor communication from the Office with the grounds crews. Good luck taking any bathroom breaks, they highly discourage any stops in an effort to get the job done faster. The owner watches all the trucks on GPS and it doesn't matter, he will find a way to let you know that you aren't allowed to stop for bathroom breaks. You won't really learn anything more than what is required to get the day done - the owner is not interested in setting up courses, or programs designed to learn more about the job. He wants you to show up on time, get out to the sites as fast as you can, and back at the shop in a timely manner. Again, he isn't interested in growing you as an individual - you're literally just a number to this guy.

A Typical Day at work:

~ Showing up at 6:30am, for a 7am o'clock shift. By doing so, we did equipment checks and gather supplies that are needed for the job. On the other hand, driving from site to site by completing lawn maintenance and whatnot.

Management:

The management needs to take some management classes, on how to run their business and how to treat their employees with some respect and dignity. If you guys arent investing in your own employees, then how do you guys expect the equipment to run efficiently???

People do make mistakes, and would like to see management; talking to that particular employee (in question) privately, instead of shaming them in front of everyone. 

The hardest part of the job:

~ is working outside in extreme heat all day, and lack of guidelines and advice 


I’ve honestly never felt more respected by a company. I take pride in my work, and commit myself to a full and integral day, everyday. Grounds Guys in Abbotsford notices that—there’s no arbitrary seniority of position based on time spent in the company, if you work hard and smart, they’ll notice and get you where you want to go. I personally don’t have a longterm interest in Landscaping, but from my Team Leads to the Franchise Owner, everyone wants to see me succeed in my own goals and they accommodate my schedule respectfully. Even though I’d like to be making more money in this job (who doesn’t in this economy?) all of the above makes up for that. I’m not a person who’s ever really cared about benefits, but it’s incredibly flexible—if you can justify how it’ll benefit your health and wellness, the benefits will cover it. There’s just a lot of mutual respect between everyone, I don’t feel used like another number on an Excel payroll sheet.

Okanagan GG is a gong-show. Completely unorganized and not ready. After a week of employment with this awful company I had no way of clocking in or out, no schedule and no idea of what job I’d actually be doing once “training” was over. Their equipment is beat up and some of their vehicles are garbage. One vehicle I had to drive around didn’t even feel safe or roadworthy. Run in the opposite direction if you can’t stand disorganization in the workplace. You’ll also enjoy having a boss who gives you dirty looks and grunts one word answers to all of your questions. That’s always wonderful to deal with. As for crew members, they have some good ones. But they have some you’ll get stuck working with that are utterly terrible and physically unable to perform their duties throughout the day. So you’ll be picking up a lot of slack. I could go on but you should get the point by now. 

This is a review for the old franchise that was previously in Angus. This is not a bash against the people who ran the company by any means. Unfortunately I left due to the way things were going work wise and the amount of workers coming and going. I realized that if I was to ever own a business that you have to pay your employees more if they are proving that they can get the job done in a timely manner and that they are willing to help out the other crews when there done. I get it grass cutting was a good way to make a great living in the 90s into the early 2000s but now that everyone and their brother are starting a business you got to be able to adapt and overcome and be the best. Like the old saying goes you get what you pay for! 



I've worked here for almost 5 years and have loved it. I've seen students friends and people just looking for experience all come here and leave happy and better equipped for their next stage of life. Since I've started I've had the opportunity to advance my education with things from first aid and irrigation tech to fruit tree pruning workshops. The boss wants people to better them selves, from students looking for a summer pay check to parents providing for there families. There always possible upgrades and a friendly work environment. The worst thing about this job is living in bc where it's always a battle against the rain.

The Grounds Guys (GG) are a national franchisor servicing commercial and industrial clients with landscape maintenance and snow management needs.
My position was unique as I was the middleman and spent a lot of time "managing' situations.  I was the conduit between our franchisees and the client.  I loved the job because I worked with different personalities everyday and each "situation" presented the opportunity to work closely with the parties involved.  Not only to solve short-term challenges, but also look for best practices to help strengthen the company.

Always promising hours and big contracts when in reality all of the work goes to the same 10 guys who are Buddy Buddy with the boss. Management is all hostile and condescending and can’t handle when they’re called out for obvious wrong doings. Pay roll is snarky when called out for paying you wrong and no one seems in any rush to fix anything. Everything is run through 1 group chat and management will call out and our individual members on blast for all employees to read. They will claim #1 in North America for maintence but a quick google search will prove otherwise. Bunch of scammers with no regard for their employees.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Landscape technician 124 salaries reported	$23.36 per hour
Maintenance person 62 salaries reported	$21.01 per hour
Team member 1 salary reported	$21.00 per hour
Engineering team leader 17 salaries reported	$24.65 per hour
Snow plow operator 10 salaries reported	$25.03 per hour

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