Worker information
In 2023 all hours will be paid in full at the completion of the detasseling season. All funds, bonuses and T4’s along with a letter of reference will be mailed to your home address. Your pay will be calculated and mailed to you the week of August 15th. Please follow our Facebook page and website for updates.
The following will be the 2023 hourly payroll rates based on total hours worked:
– Group A (Under 18) $14.60/hr.
– Group B (18 and Over, Under 18 Elite Cleaners) $15.50/hr.
– Group C “Deroguers” (under 18) $15.50/hr.
– Group D Junior Supervisors and SEALS $17.00/hr.
Elite cleaners = unchecked cleaners nominated by your supervisor
= Excellent attendance, great attitude
- Breaks and travel time between fields are paid for!
- Travel time to the field at the beginning of the day from the central pick-up location is paid for.
(central pick-up locations are denoted on the website) - Travel time home from the field at the end of the day back to the central pick-up location is paid for.
(central pick-up locations are denoted on the website) - Eating Periods are unpaid time and will be provided as one 30+ min break or two 15-minute+ breaks
- Vacation Pay (4%) will be added to your gross pay
- Overtime will be paid and will be based on your average hours worked over the 4-week corn season.
(44 hours times 4 weeks from July 10th to August 9th equates to 176 hours) - Pay Periods for WR are once per year on August 15th.
- 3 Hour Minimum Rule for short days
Online Enrolment at WR constitutes acknowledgement of this payroll program, acknowledgement to work more than 8 hours in one workday due to weather and other factors, acknowledgment to average the corn season overtime hours over the 4-week period (July 10th to August 9th), acknowledgement that the pay frequency is annual on August 15 .
Please note that history has shown for 90% of our previous corn seasons, our elite (best) detasselers and our cleaning crews have had the opportunity to work these maximum hours indicated above, but occasionally Mother Nature does not co-operate and challenges our crew with unusual and extreme weather conditions like excessive heat and humidity. When this occurs, the excessive heat causes the seed corn to mature at a rapid speed resulting in a condensed or shortened detasseling season, where these traditional maximum hours of work become unattainable. Please be advised that these conditions occur occasionally and are out of our control. We apologize for any uncertainty this may cause in your detasseling decision, but we want to make you aware of these uncontrollable conditions so you can understand and modify your expectations regarding the length of the detasseling season, as well as the working hours and earnings available should extreme weather (heat, storms, etc.) occur.
How to become an elite detasseler?...
An elite detasseler is an excellent detasseler who “does not miss and can clean fields efficiently”. They report to work every day and are able to work with minimal supervision. These detasselers also display leadership skills and work cooperatively with the supervisor. These elite cleaners are selected at the discretion of their supervisors
How do I maximize my detasseling earnings?...
- Report to work every day you are scheduled for the entire season
- Work at a steady, efficient, and conscientious pace without missing tassels
- Work as a team player and assist other detasselers without being asked
- Always convey a positive attitude regardless of the conditions encountered each day
- Respect everything about your job (co-workers, supervisor, corn field, farmer’s property, bus, health and safety)
- Be promoted to one of the company’s cleaning crews (selected at the discretion of supervisors). Cleaning crews work many additional hours to remove those few lingering tassels that could fail a field and cause purity problems for the customer. This is a very important responsibility.
- Strive to be recognized as an elite detasseler. These are the best detasselers on our cleaning crews and generally work to the end of the season. (see criteria for elite detasseler)
Specifics of being safe and prepared...
WR maintains an outstanding record for employee safety. This is an achievement that is held in great esteem, but it is also necessary for continued success year over year. Being prepared and following the WR Detasseling Health and Safety Policy.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
These items are also mandatory and must be worn at all times!
- ALL SKIN MUST BE COVERED — CLOTHING
a. Example: long sleeved shirt and long pants - CLOSED-TOE SHOES (High top running shoes or hiking boots are perfect! NO CROCS)
- Hat with mesh
- Safety Glasses
- Gloves
These items are recommended
- LIGHT RAIN JACKET (for rain and morning dew)
- WATER RESISTANT RAIN PANTS (for rain and morning dew)
- WATERPROOF RAIN/RUBBER BOOTS (for rain and morning dew)
- EXTRA PAIR OF SOCKS (Acrylic or Nylon Athletic)
- EXTRA PAIR OF SHOES (If you are prone to blisters)
- WATER BACKPACK (for extra water in the field)
- WATER BOTTLE (that could be attached to your belt or belt loop)
It is a good idea that employees also have:
- 4 Litres of water
- Bag lunch and plenty of snacks, keep in mind you take your own garbage home
- Powder for leg chafing
- Label your clothing and gear
- Moist towel for cleansing
- Bug Spray
- Sunscreen
All crews are equipped with the following at all times:
- Wash water supply for handwashing, with soap and towels
- Hand sanitizer
- First-aid kit
- Air horn (for communicating emergencies)
- Emergency Action Plan
- Extra safety supplies
- Emergency supply of bottled water
WR takes care of a lot too (What WR supplies)...
WR Detasseling Ltd. takes its role as an employer very seriously. Employee safety and satisfaction are two of several factors that are used to measure the success of a season. The following lists are some of the initiatives maintained by WR to ensure continued success
- WR has developed a Detasseling and Deroguing Health and Safety Policy.
- WR takes very serious precautionary measures to protect their workers by supplying all PPE, including an extra emergency supply of individually bottled water.
- WR equips every bus with first aid supplies and additional PPE.
- WR provides training and positive reinforcement for every crew member
- WR has an Emergency Policy outlining procedures for weather and medical emergencies that is understood by every employee
- WR provides a safe, fun, and respectful workplace environment
- WR provides fair pay for every employee
- WR provides transportation to all employees from designated pick-up points to the fields and back again
- WR supervisors are knowledgeable, easy to work with, and trained in First Aid/CPR.
Employees have the opportunity during and at the end of the season to give their thoughts and
opinions about working on a WR crew.
Personal Protective Equipment…
It is WR policy that all of our workers are provided with precautionary PPE to protect and keep them safe. Also be advised that our “no skin is in policy” is still in effect
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
At 7:15 to 7:30am when commencing work in the morning
- Must wear hat with mesh, safety glasses, and gloves
- Rubber boots
- Long socks that pull up your leg higher than the boot
- Rain pants
- Raincoat with hood
- Long pants and long sleeved shirt
After corn is dry between 10 and 11am and rest of day
- Must wear hat with mesh, safety glasses, and gloves
- Light coloured long sleeve shirt, which covers stomach and shoulders
- Long sleeved shirt or arm bars-soccer or longer sock with toes cut out that you would pull over your arms from wrist to above elbow
- Long light pants (no jeans), or light athletic pants, or pajama pants, or hospital pants,
- or comfortable shorts to your knees.
- If wearing long shorts, soccer, baseball, or high knee socks that meet your shorts (no skin can be shown between socks and shorts)
- Remove boots and change to tied comfortable walking shoes (no crocs)
- Wearing sunglasses and prescription glasses are an option to safety glasses as you will be wearing a shield as well
- Carrying a small water bottle with you is suggested as long as both hands are free to work
WR Bullying Policy…
WR Detasseling Ltd. is completely opposed to bullying and will NOT tolerate it. We ensure that procedures exist to allow complaints of bullying to be dealt with and resolved. Bullying is unwelcome or unreasonable behaviour that demeans, intimidates, or humiliates an individual. Bullying can take the form of physical, emotional, or verbal violence. Any form of bullying will not be tolerated and bullying behaviours will result in an employee’s termination from the company. Any employee who feels he or she has been victimized by bullying is encouraged to report the matter to their supervisor or to the WR Administrators at 519-352-8889.
Videos
Check list
- Read, understand, and accept the Detasseling and Deroguing Health and Safety Policy and Payroll Policy.
- WR is a non smoking crew — smoking is not permitted in the fields or while traveling in our vehicles
- Have social Insurance number
- Apply online
- Read Specifics of being safe and prepared
- Read what WR takes care off
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Don’t forget your shield and bandanna
- WR Bullying Policy
- Email address that is monitored daily
- Arrive 10 mins early to your pick up location.
- Bring 4 litres of water for the day
- Proper healthy lunch for someone working hard outside
- EAT a healthy breakfast for ENERGY!