Tired of phone-obsessed people, a Waimate farmer decided to employ a more direct approach for his next hire.

Initially, the community newspaper advertisement appeared straightforward, with a stockman and a labourer position available.

But contractor and farmer Geoff Wallace said he wanted to make it very clear the people he wanted and the people he did not.

DEAN KOZANIC/FAIRFAX NZ Contractor and farmer Geoff Wallace says he wanted someone who wore his hat with the peak to the front.

"Must be a non-smoker, wear his hat with the peak to the front and be capable ot wearing his pants around his arse, not knees," the advertisement says.

Wallace had four staff members over 70 years old and "they achieve more than some younger people".

His youngest worker was 28, but most others were older because he did not want anyone obsessively checking their social media or text messages. He needed a person, who was alert and ready to work.

Someone who could "divorce himself from his phone for more than two hours at a time".

"Labourer required to help pour 800 cubic metres of concrete. Can be a smoker - but will not have time."

Although his secretary had been a bit concerned about having the piece, which was printed late last week, published, Wallace was pleased with the response.

Already he has had a couple of local people and two school leavers apply for the positions.

While the advertisement appeared tongue-in-cheek, Wallace said people could not afford a worker to be inattentive in his line of work.

"I need someone who can work unsupervised."

The death of a well-known farmer in the Hakataramea Valley last month had shown deadly accidents could happen even to highly experienced workers, he said.

"Every machine I have is capable of killing someone," he said.

The advertisement was posted on social media and received more than 120 likes in less than 24 hours.

Facebook user Donna Ford said she thought it was awesome, while Rene Bullock said: "Great Advert. But what about the ladies? LOL".

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