[Ultra Magnus]

I've got friend that is a technician for a suspension company. He is being asked to ride Quads on MX tracks. He's a good rider, jumps everything on the track, all the doubles, all the big tables, you name it. He is paid a technician's salary. When he's out riding on a track, I think he should be paid hazardous pay. He's risking life and limb riding a vehicle that's inherantly unstable and that he doesn't even like (actually hates, he prefers 2 wheels, although we tease and accuse him of secretly liking it) and he should be paid accordingly.

What are your thoughts?

Do any of you know of any online resources to help figure out what a reasonable and fair amount he should ask in a additon to his regular salary while testiing?

Thanks.

BM

 

[dogonfr]

A trike is unstable but we still buy them for our kids. A quad demands respect because yes when you crash one you pay hard. Talk to the other shock manufactures like Romic, check out Race Tec, Progressive, Fox they should have phone #'s you can call & inquire about the haz duty. You could say you are doing a school article about the hazzards of testing?

 

[Bikinfoolferlife]

So the testing came about after he understood what his job description was? He should have asked about more money before actually doing any testing if it wasn't included in his original job description. Actually, I always thought a tester was paid a bit more due to the risky nature of the job.

 

[Ultra Magnus]

He's been working here for a long time, over five years, and this testing he is doing "evolved" into part of his duties, since he's the best rider that works here. He is also relatively inexperienced in riding quads, done it before but not seriously. He's raced moto a lot, both track and desert. One of our other technicians was made to test ride the quads too, but he put if foot down and said no after wrenching his wrist really bad. By our comapnay standards, two at a time are sent out to ride, and now he takes his moto with him to accompany quad tests.

BM

 

[Cary]

Hazard pay?!!! That's a union term, so unless he is a union employee, the answer is no. However, he is free to negotiate the terms of his employement with his employer.

 

[Ultra Magnus]

What do you guys think? +10% of his normal salary? +25%??

 

[dogonfr]

What do you guys think? +10% of his normal salary? +25%??

Toutchy subject, have you checked with other test riders from different companys? Check what the car guys get compensated for durring track testing, http://www.jimrussellusa.com/

 

[formica]

I'm thinkin that unless he specifically asked you to research this for you, that it's probably none of your business. If you sell insurance you could make sure he's covered for disability and life policies.

 

[Ultra Magnus]

Well then, he is a friend of mine and he did ask me specifically to research this for him. We all know the company is not legally obligated to do so, but he has a new family, twins, and it is causing him to rethink his priorities. In the past, it was just cool to get paid to ride, but he's over 30, and taking risks is a lot less cool. He just wants so basis to go on when it is time to re-negotiate his terms and job responsibilities. I think it also came to him when we hired outside test riders, who aren't as good has him (much slower lap times), and paid them almost double what he gets paid for a day of riding.

BM

 

[Bikinfoolferlife]

You could always talk to an attorney to see whether he stands to be handsomely compensated should something go wrong...