This discussion brings up something that I hear all of the time and frankly don't understand. Why are employees (instructors) paying for the equipment used during their classes to begin with?
At our store, we provide our direct employees and contracted instructors with all of the necessary equipment to teach classes and act as role models for our customers. This includes top-of-the-line equipment.....pretty much what they want, within reason. We don't provide canister lights, or DPV's, or things of that sort. But buoyancy systems, regulators, computers, wetsuits, fins, masks, all of the traditional stuff is provided. They don't pay key man or cost....it is provided. Our instructors upgrade to new equipment every year. The equipment always remains the property of the business, is thus covered under the rental insurance policies, and can be used by the instructor or employee anytime they choose. They maintain possession for as long as they remain an employee or until "update" time comes. It is simply a business expense. Are we doing things different from most stores?
Phil Ellis
