CHARGEBACK SYSTEMS, P.2

 

Typical fees range around $15 to $20 for minor repairs that take a half-hour or less, double that for work taking a half-hour to an hour, with set fees for such items as A/C installation ($35 to $40) or removal ($15 to $20). The building keeps a portion and the worker gets a portion. "I would say that in the absence of any compelling reason otherwise, probably a 50-50 split is appropriate," suggests Lash. Typically, a resident will give a tip.

The resident can provide materials, or the staff member can buy them, provide a receipt and be reimbursed by the resident (which can run into questions of cost for the time spent going to and from the store); or the building can provide common materials such as toilet parts under a set fee schedule.

For some repairs, it's prudent to offer free preventive maintenance. "Fix toilets," suggests Sladkus. "If a very simple fix isn't done, it could lead to a much bigger problem."

When should a staff member do this work — during his or her shift hours, or on their own time? While it might appear logical for workers to do in-apartment work before or after their shift or on their lunch hours, it's arguably better for them to do it during their regular shifts.

For example, says Sladkus, there's the question of on-the-job injuries: "If it's done as a sanctioned, during-hours job, then I can't see why it wouldn't be covered under workers' compensation," the state insurance program that covers people for injuries sustained at work. "If it's done as an after-hours job and the worker slips and falls, the insurance company could argue he wasn't doing that in the course of normal employment activities, and might disclaim coverage." The co-op or condo unit-owner wouldn't be liable in any case, says Jason Paris, a personal-injury trial attorney who is a partner at Paris & Chaikin, "unless they are actively dictating the manner and method of the work being done."

Nonetheless, a clause indemnifying the cooperative or condominium can't hurt, he adds. "A co-op can have the shareholders sign an indemnification form and a waiver form, and the work order should have fine print saying that the shareholder is liable" for any damages.

Division of Labor

This leaves the issue of how to divide up among the staff what could be lucrative work — or, conversely, how to fairly assign staff to apartments known for less-than-generous tips.

"You need to set up a division of who gets what," advises Lash. "Clearly, it would [be the responsibility of] the super or resident manager, and if they're acting fairly, the jobs would be divided evenly among the super and/or handymen. I can see where staff might be at odds over how many jobs go to this person or that person."

But if a chargeback system is done correctly, everybody wins: Residents gets convenience and cost-savings, and as for the staff and the building itself, chargebacks can mean greenbacks.

 

Illustration by Dave Bamundo

Adapted from Habitat April 2010. For the complete article and more, join our Archive >>