HomeHuman Resource ManagementArchive by Category "Housing"

Culture Change: We Can’t Have Nice Things Without Hard Work

Like many of our ancestors, employees new to the United States are experiencing the challenges of learning new skills needed to become productive workers, while also adapting to a new culture. This is not a new phenomenon, but one we as an industry are quickly learning more about. Understanding the vastly different life experiences of residents is critical when it comes to effectively managing farm-provided employee housing.

First, the “hard work” for managers is to…

  1. Foster an environment of mutual cultural understanding via multilingual communication
  2. Provide training and materials to help employees adapt to local norms
  3. Take differing living styles into consideration when designing housing
  4. Explain the benefit of housing to employees
  5. Engage employees regularly to establish needs and monitor housing conditions

The “nice things” that will result from a positive farm-provided employee housing culture will be:

  1. More effective communication
  2. Increased understanding of the expectations for living in housing
  3. Less maintenance and repair
  4. Better appreciation of total compensation package
  5. Increased retention of skilled workers

Some tools to help you with the “hard work” are on the Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development website.

  1. Farm Provided Employee Housing Guide
  2. Orientation Guide for Occupants of Farm Housing (Spanish and English)

The “hard work” may not be as hard as you think, and the resulting “nice things” may have greater impact on the overall work environment than you imagined.

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By Jay Canzonier, Cornell University. Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The post Culture Change: We Can’t Have Nice Things Without Hard Work appeared in The Ag Workforce Journal.

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Oh, RATS! How to Evict Them from Farm-provided Employee Housing

While you may strive to provide safe and comfortable housing for your resident employees, you may also be providing cozy lodging for rats and mice….Yikes!!! Rodents of many species seek shelter in structures that offer protection from the elements and predators, and food. These fury intruders move in before winter sets in, and if left unchecked can quickly multiply into a disastrous and dangerous infestation. Measures should be taken to limit the health hazards to humans from pathogens rodent pests carry and the physical damage they can do to farm-provided employee housing. The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University is a leader in providing real world solutions for battling our underworld foes. Here are some key strategies and links to NYSIPM resources to help you win the fight.

Prevention:

Interior and exterior inspection:

  • Look for entry points on the exterior, any opening bigger than ¼ of an inch is too big!
  • Inspect low areas under furniture and cabinets, and in drop ceilings.
  • Be aware of gnaw marks and pathways that may be street signs to nesting areas.
  • And yes…analyze any droppings you find, they can indicate the size of the population, and the size of the pest!!!

Trapping:

  • Snap traps are a reusable solution which can be baited with your pests favorite flavors.
  • Glue traps offer a one-time use, but can be effective in identifying insect problems as well.

Baiting:

IMPORTANT! Using baits containing pesticides in farm-provided employee housing can only be done if both of these conditions apply: (1) the person has a written lease to occupy the housing (whether or not any rent is charged) AND (2) the pesticide is classified as general use (i.e., can be purchased by anyone, such as at a hardware store). In all other cases, anyone—including the farm owner—who applies any pesticide to farm worker housing must be a certified applicator in Commercial Subcategory 7A or work under the direct supervision of someone who is.

  • Use precaution to protect child and pet safety.
  • Must be applied according to the label.
  • The use of baits can target more than one pest per application.

Spring soon marks the return of many seasonal workers. This is a great time to make sure they don’t find any unwanted companions sleeping in their beds or uninvited dinner guests in their kitchens. For more information reach out to Jay Canzonier, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, or New York State Integrated Pest Management through Mice and Rats- New York State Integrated Pest Management.

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By Jay Canzonier, Cornell University. Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The post Oh, RATS! How to Evict Them from Farm-provided Employee Housing appeared in The Ag Workforce Journal.

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Real Property Tax Exemptions for Farm Employee Housing

New York State real property tax code allows several exemptions for farm buildings. This provision also exempts new and reconstructed farm employee housing.   

  • The provision exempts new or reconstructed farm employee housing from any increase in assessed value that results from the improvement.  
  • The exemption applies to buildings used to provide housing for regular and essential employees and their immediate families who are primarily employed in farming operations.  
  • The exemption does not apply to buildings occupied as a residence by the owner and his or her immediate family.   

For Both Migrant and Permanent Employee Housing 

One form of property tax exemption is available for both migrant/seasonal employers such as fruit or vegetable farms and for farms with permanent employees such as dairy farms. This is a one-time exemption that continues automatically for 10 years, providing the building continues to be used for farming. For this exemption, use form RP-483 and follow the instructions for the form. Application to the local assessor must be made within one year following the completion of new construction or re-construction work.  

For Migrant Employee Housing Only 

There is a permanent real property tax exemption for farm or food processing labor camps or commissaries, provided the structures are used to improve the health, living, and working conditions for farm laborers. The applicant must provide the assessor with a copy of the following: 

  1. a state sanitary code permit to operate a “migrant farmworker housing facility,”  
  1. a State Labor Department “farm labor contractor certificate of registration”, “permit to operate a farm labor camp commissary”, and/or “migrant labor registration certificate” and,  
  1. proof of compliance with the fire-prevention and building code.  

A renewal application need not be filed annually with the assessor, but the owner of the labor camp or commissary must be able to annually prove that the camp or commissary continues to comply with all applicable property use requirements to keep the exemption. For this permanent exemption, use form RP-483-d with instructions. 

Whether a farm business owner pursues either the one-time, ten-year exemption or the permanent exemption, all safety and code requirements should be met. If the use classification of the building is converted to a non-farm use, the building will be subject to roll-back taxes.   

To apply for the exemption, contact the local assessor, the county director of real property tax services, or the NYS Department of Taxation.   

For additional details visit: 

Farm building exemption – Tax.NY.gov 

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By Jay Canzonier, Cornell University. Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The post Real Property Tax Exemptions for Farm Employee Housing appeared in The Ag Workforce Journal.

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Fire Safety in Farm-Provided Employee Housing

By Jay Canzonier, Employee Housing Specialist, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development

Are your resident employees prepared for fire? Are you?

Having an emergency plan and proper fire safety equipment in your farm-provided employee housing can save lives. The risk of fire in a dwelling occupied by multiple people in an unfamiliar setting, combined with the complexity of residents working multiple shifts, sharing cooking facilities and maintenance responsibilities, increases the need to plan and prepare for fire emergencies.House on fire. You can greatly reduce risk by breaking fire safety into these five integral parts:

Awareness: What is your risk, your readiness, and your plan in the event of a fire?

  • Educate residents on what could potentially start a fire, and the dangers involved with a fire.
  • Communicate what to do in the event of an emergency, there should be no delay when calling for help.
  • Provide emergency contact information, post 911 and other important numbers in visible locations.
  • Post 911 address inside dwelling, and outside in a location visible from street.
  • Identify at least two exit points from each room.
  • Keep all hallways and exit routes clear.
  • Maintain a list of all occupants for accountability in the event of a fire.

Prevention: What do you do to minimize the probability and impact of a fire? What don’t you do?

  • Never leave cooking unattended.
  • Always dispose of smoking materials (including cigarettes) properly. Or don’t smoke inside house.
  • Avoid using portable space heaters. Clean heating appliances, chimneys, oven, and dryer vents regularly.
  • Ensure that all appliances and extension cords are UL listed. Avoid using power strips and multi-outlet to single plug adapters.
  • Do not charge Ebikes indoors.

Detection: Do you have properly installed, operational smoke alarms and carbon monoxide sensors?

  • Discuss the importance of alarms with residents.
  • Familiarize residents with basic operation and what to do if an accidental alarm sounds.
  • When possible, use 10-year sealed battery detectors to alleviate tampering.
  • Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year.
  • Recommendations for type and placement of alarms and sensors are listed below.

Alarm: Do your residents know what to do if alarm system sounds? Do they have a plan and have they practiced it?

  • Carefully check for fire and smoke. Pay attention to smells and check each door for high temperatures with the back of a hand before opening it.
  •  If there is smoke, cover nose and mouth with a cloth and keep close to the ground while evacuating.
  • Have an escape plan, and a designated meeting place.
  • If fire isn’t found, have a knowledgeable person check the batteries in the smoke alarms.
  • If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, evacuate the building and call 911.

Suppression: Have you supplied your residents with properly rated fire extinguishers or installed a sprinkler system?

  • Fire extinguishers should be provided and stored in a readily accessible location not more than 100 feet from each housing unit. Fire extinguishers must provide protection equal to a 2 1/2-gallon stored pressure water extinguisher or a 5 Lb. Type ABC extinguisher.
  • Discuss what conditions would be safe to suppress a fire, and what conditions warrant immediate evacuation.
  • Demonstrate proper use of fire extinguisher.
    1. Pull pin.
    2. Aim nozzle at base of fire.
    3. Squeeze handle to discharge contents.
    4. Sweep stream to cover burning material completely.

Smoke Alarms are the first step in a fire escape plan.

Smoke spreads fast, properly selected, located, and maintained smoke alarms give residents an early warning so they can get out quickly. The following recommendations for placement and types of smoke alarms are based on the most recent requirements from New York State Uniform Fire and Building Code.

Smoke alarms should be located:

  1. On the ceiling or wall outside each separate sleeping area or bedroom. (If within 10 feet of each door, can be combined CO detector)
  2. In each room used for sleeping purposes. (bedrooms)
  3. In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements.
  4. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet from the stove.
  5. Smoke alarms should not be installed less than 3 feet horizontally from the door or opening of a bathroom that contains a bathtub or a shower.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors:

  1. One carbon monoxide detector on each floor containing a fuel burning appliance.
  2. At least 1 on each story that contains a sleeping area or bedroom.
  3. More than 1 should be installed to ensure no sleeping area is more than 10’ from a carbon monoxide detector.
  4. A carbon monoxide detector should be installed in each sleeping area that contains a carbon monoxide source.

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By Jay Canzonier, Cornell University. Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The post Fire Safety in Farm-Provided Employee Housing appeared in The Ag Workforce Journal 

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Help Farm Employees “Sleep for Success!”

By Jay Canzonier, Housing Management Specialist, Cornell Ag Workforce Development

June 21st marks the first day of summer and longest day of the year. A glorious day and evening for barbeques and corn hole tournaments…unless you are working the night shift. Our co-workers who brave the dark during their workday have a much different outlook on the sunlight looking in while they try to sleep.

In the darkness of evening and as you enter sleep, your body produces melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone which regulates your body’s circadian rhythms, your natural sleep-wake cycle. By morning light your body begins to suppress melatonin by elevating levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone which plays a significant role in waking up. Exposure to light helps your body figure out when it’s time to sleep, and time to wake up. Light, whether it be natural sunlight or artificial, disrupts the creation of melatonin. This disruption cues your internal body clock to be awake and active, making it difficult to enter a restful sleep.Image of a man sleeping

Most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep daily. A lack of sleep can lead to decreased energy, delayed reaction times, increased anxiety, inability to process information quickly, and many more side effects that decrease productivity at work and overall quality of life. Long term sleep deprivation can contribute to more severe chronic health risks including anxiety, coronary heart disease, depression, obesity, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes just to name a few. Inadequate sleep can be a key contributor in work related accidents.

Working the night shift causes your body to get out of its natural sleeping rhythms by requiring you to be alert when the light cycle programs it to be sleeping. Conversely, when you go home after a night shift, your internal body clock and exposure to daylight tells your body to be awake and active. There are sleep hygiene tactics that can be used to help your body minimize the effects of an opposite sleep schedule resulting from night duty. Tools to make your sleep time more pleasant and productive include:

  • Wear dark sunglasses to suppress light when leaving the workplace in the morning. Even if it is a short exposure, minimizing the effect of sunlight on your body can have an impact on how quickly you enter a restful sleep, and how long you sleep.
  • Use blackout curtains in sleeping rooms to eliminate sunlight during the sleep time. Blackout curtains are fabric drapes or shades that cover the window completely, eliminating all light from entering the sleeping area. Note that these will be labeled differently from other drapes and shades which may be only “light filtering.” Blackout curtains help create a dark environment that mimics nighttime, your body will produce melatonin and lead to a longer and more refreshing quality of sleep.
  • Eliminate sources of “blue light” from electronic devises within the sleeping area. Blue light decreases the production of melatonin, making sleep incredibly difficult particularly when working the night shift.
  • When possible, align work shifts with sleeping shifts in employee housing. Doing so can minimize daytime disturbances in the sleeping area and accommodate the sleeping needs and preferences of the night shift workers.

These strategies are affordable and simple ways to improve sleep quality, overall health, safety, and productivity. Maintaining your body’s natural circadian rhythm is an essential building block in overall health and quality of life. By sharing this information with our night shift workers and providing them with the necessary tools, we can help those who work while we sleep…sleep while we work.

This link is to an informative website and short video on the importance of sleep and how it affects performance. Dr. James B. Maas was a professor at Cornell University for more than 48 years and is famous for coining the term “power nap.”

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By Jay Canzonier, Cornell University. Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The post Help Farm Employees “Sleep for Success!” appeared in The Ag Workforce Journal 

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