How long is your planting season?
This varies from year to year, but we typically work from late April or early May until late July or early August. We are usually able to offer employees between 60 and 75 planting days in a typical season.
When do you do your hiring?
Hiring usually takes place in December through February, although a smaller number of openings are filled in March and April. See our jobs page for more details.
How does payroll work?
Planters are typically paid by piece rate, ie. a specific amount of money per tree planted. We pay by direct deposit into your bank account every second Friday. Each pay period covers a fourteen day period ending on the Saturday evening that is six days before your money is deposited. We follow all BC and Alberta employment standards regulations. We pay 100% of your wages in full, with no deductions for quality or density penalties that might be levied upon the company. For individuals who need to be topped up to minimum wage, we are compliant.
Tell me more about minimum wage top-up.
BC and Alberta laws require that if planters do not make the equivalent of hours worked at minimum wage from their piece-rate earnings, the company needs to pay minimum wage instead of piece-rate wages. Folklore complies with these regulations. This is typically not a significant expense, however, most first-year planters require being topped up during their first pay period, and some need to be topped up in the second pay period. All employees fall under these rules, not just first-year planters. However, in the past few seasons (2019/2020) the first-year planters generally had strong earnings and needed very little for top-up at the start of their seasons. Our expectation is that all employees focus on working hard and maximizing their earnings, and top-up is rarely required past the first two pay periods.
How long is a planting day?
This varies by camp, but crews are typically expected to leave camp by 7am and return to camp by 6pm.
Do you provide food?
Yes. Each camp has two full-time cooks to provide food. You will typically receive a hot breakfast in the morning, and you will make your own lunch at the same time from food set out for that purpose. The lunch table typically includes a wide variety of choices including wraps, bread, meats, vegetables, cheeses, several types of fruit, trail mix, peanut butter, cookies, and other items. Planters are then served a hot dinner when they return to camp at the end of the day. Planters have camp costs deducted from their cheques to pay for this benefit. Camp costs are $25 plus GST per day when working in BC, and $27 plus GST per day when working in Alberta. On days off, planters typically go into town and feed themselves.
What is your shift schedule?
Our shift rotation is 3&1's.
Do planters need to wear hard hats? What about steel-toed boots?
No, hard hats are not required on the majority of our jobs. Planters don't typically need to wear hi-vis either, although our management staff and first-aiders usually wear hi-vis. Boot requirements vary from contract to contract. You should contact your specific supervisor for that information.
What About Training?
Folklore considers the training of employees to be extremely important. Whether you're a first-time planter, or an experienced planter who is looking to enhance your skill set, we will work hard to improve your knowledge, job skills, and productivity. Folklore helped sponsor the publication and distribution of the free digital editions of "Step By Step, A Tree Planter's Handbook," which is a industry-standard training resource.
How do I travel between camps?
Employees are responsible for getting to Prince George at the start of the season. After that, the Folklore trucks will travel from contract to contract. At the end of the season, the trucks come back to Prince George, although many employees choose to start their travels from wherever their last camp was located. Employees are often permitted to bring personal vehicles into the camps, if they want, but some camp locations have restrictions relating to vehicle access. Check with your camp supervisor for additional information.
Tell me about your employees.
Folklore strives to hire a diverse group of employees from all walks of life. Our people focus on working hard and making money. The company and management aim to provide a safe and positive working environment which supports physical and mental health. Folklore wants employees who seek a healthy lifestyle, regardless of their beliefs, religion, sexual orientation, or race. If you have a good work ethic, then you should be a good fit for this company. If you want to party on the night before a work day, then this company is probably not for you. We don't motivate our employees based upon a partying lifestyle.
What happens at the start of the season?
Your camp manager or foreman will give you a target date to arrive in Prince George. Once you figure out your travel arrangements, let them know how and when you'll be arriving. If you're arriving on a flight, your foreman will generally try to pick you up at the airport. You'll need accommodations for the first couple of days in Prince George, and your foreman will generally coordinate that process by introducing you to other members of your crew, so you can share rooms. There will be a large meeting at a specified time and date, during which all members of your camp will go through introductions and fill out your employment contracts and tax forms. Before this meeting, first time planters may be offered a day or two of classroom and field training, to start the process of learning to plant. The morning after the big startup meeting, everyone will meet in the parking lot, then all the vehicles will convoy as a group out to the location of your first camp. Setting up the camp will take about three hours (paid time) and then you'll set up your own personal tents and living spaces. There may be more meetings in camp that evening, and the following morning you'll get up early for breakfast and start your first day of work. Each camp approaches this process slightly differently, but your foremen and camp managers will guide you and let you know what to expect.