Handlers in Schedule 1 are true workhorses. These guys handle goods transportation and product packaging, help unload supplies, fill up storage facilities, and package your blends into containers. However, you won't get access to them right away. Let's figure out how to hire and effectively use handlers.
How to Hire a Handler
First, you'll need to earn $10,000 — this is part of the game's storyline. After that, head to the warehouse located south of the motel, and go down the ramp behind the pawn shop. The warehouse operates from 6 PM to 6 AM, so plan your visit during these hours.
Once inside, go to the northeast corner of the warehouse and climb up the blue staircase. There you'll meet the stern Igor guarding the door, and Manny at the table. Manny will offer to hire various employees for you — a cleaner, botanist, chemist, and of course, a handler.
Hiring a handler will cost you $1,500 upfront, plus a daily salary of $200. If you don't have cash on hand, no problem — there's an ATM right in the warehouse.
How to Use a Handler on Your Property
After hiring, the handler will be sent to your chosen property. First things first, take care of housing — your new employee needs a bed. Set up an extra bed, then open your tablet, select "management" and assign the bed to the worker.
Once the bed is assigned, the worker can start their duties. And don't forget about the salary — leave money in the briefcase daily, otherwise your handler will quickly lose motivation.
Assigning Stations to Your Handler
After providing your handler with a place to sleep, you need to assign them work stations. Note that handlers can only be assigned to packaging stations, but they can service several of them at once.
To assign stations, open the management tablet again by hovering your cursor over the handler:
Click "Assigned Stations"
Find the stations you want to assign — a white outline will appear around them
Click with the left mouse button, and the station will appear in the list
For each packaging station, you'll also need to assign a destination for the finished product. To do this, press E with the management tablet open. Choose a destination — it can be storage or any other place at your discretion.
Creating Routes for Your Handler
The most interesting part — your handler can become a key link in fully automating your production. Hover your cursor over the handler, open the management tablet and press E. At the bottom, you'll see the "Route Assignment" option.
You can create multiple routes for one handler, specifying the starting and ending point for each. For example, you can set up an automatic packaging process by creating a route from the storage rack to the packaging station.
Routes can be more complex as well. Want to send products directly to the mixer to create stronger blends? Assign a botanist or chemist to deliver products to the mixer, and then create a route for the handler from the storage shelf to the mixer.
By setting up these processes properly, you can create an almost fully automated production that will run like clockwork while you focus on more important matters.
In case your handler isn't working as intended, make sure you've assigned them a bed and have paid their daily wages. Handlers also don't work late at night, so if a handler isn't working, try to sleep for the day. Also, check to see if there are items on the shelves or prepackaged. Whether the shelf is overcrowded with packaged goods.
You can also go and talk to the handler to ask why they're not working, and they'll let you know if it's because there's nothing for them to do or if there's any other reason. If everything is good, but the handler still doesn't seem to work, then you'll have to review the routes and stations to see if there's everything the handler would need to start their work.
FAQ: About Handlers in Schedule 1
Q1: What exactly do Handlers do in Schedule 1?: Handlers in Schedule 1 are responsible for goods transportation, product packaging, unloading supplies, filling storage facilities, and packaging blends into containers. They're essential for automating your production workflow and managing the logistics of your operation.
Q2: How much money do I need to earn before hiring a Handler?: You need to earn $10,000 as part of the game's storyline progression before you can hire a Handler or any other employees from the warehouse.
Q3: What are the working hours of the warehouse where I can hire Handlers?: The warehouse operates from 6 PM to 6 AM only. You'll need to visit during these nighttime hours to access recruitment services.
Q4: Where exactly is the warehouse located in the game?: The warehouse is located south of the motel. You need to go down the ramp behind the pawn shop to find it.
Q5: Who do I need to speak with to hire employees including Handlers?: You need to speak with Manny at the warehouse. He's located in the northeast corner of the warehouse, up the blue staircase, sitting at a table while Igor guards the door.
Q6: What is the cost breakdown for hiring a Handler?: Hiring a Handler requires a $1,500 upfront payment, plus you must pay a daily salary of $200 through the briefcase system to keep them working.
Q7: What other staff members can I hire besides Handlers?: Besides Handlers, you can hire Cleaners, Botanists, and Chemists through Manny at the warehouse, each with different specializations.
Q8: What does a Handler need before they can start working on my property?: Handlers require an assigned bed on your property. You must set up an extra bed, use your management tablet to assign it to them, and ensure you pay their daily wages.
Q9: Why might my Handler stop working?: Handlers may stop working if you haven't assigned them a bed, failed to pay their daily $200 salary, or if it's their sleeping hours. They also won't work if there's nothing for them to do or if routes are incorrectly set up. They won't work if they don't have the goods or packages
Q10: How can I troubleshoot if my Handler isn't working properly?: If your Handler isn't working, ensure they have an assigned bed, check if you've paid their wages, make sure it's within their working hours, talk directly to the Handler to ask why they're not working, and review all assigned routes and stations.
Q11: What happens if I don't pay my Handler's daily salary?: If you don't leave the $200 daily payment in the briefcase, your Handler will quickly lose motivation and eventually stop working altogether, disrupting your automated production.
Q12: Can I talk directly to my Handler about issues with their work?: Yes, you can approach and talk to your Handler directly. They'll inform you if there's nothing for them to do or if there's another reason they're not working properly.
