What is wrong with people?

[Joe 1320]

This is one of those rare days when things really begin to get under my skin. As a branch manager of one of our Music Store locations, basically the buck stops here. I am responsable for hiring, firing, managing company assets, and the list goes on for what seems like forever. This career is not easily learned nor is it easy to teach. It's niche market that requires special skills. My main gripe is finding quality employees. This one guy that I have here is very talented, tries fairly hard at times, but cannot remain focused for any length of time. To make matters worse, I cannot even get the guy to consistantly show up to work on time. Every day it is some form of excuse that appears legitimate. Every day it is something! After many discussions with him so that he knows what is expected, I finally had to draw that proverbial line in the sand and terminate him. I hate doing that but as I explained to him.......If I cannot count on you to arrive at work on time and ready to go, if I cannot count on you to be in the location during hours that you are scheduled (habit of disappearing for periods of time when he thinks nobody is around watching) you haven't learned at a rate required to be successful, you aren't selling, why should I continue to keep you employed here? I can work the place by myself from open to close and at least I know the hours of operation are covered and I won't have to put up with your lack of work ethic and lack of achievement drive. I've run across so many people like this of late. What is going on with the younger generation? It just appears that they don't respect themselves enough to hold themselves accountable for the quality of work. Grrrrrr.........Now I get to spend more time interviewing and training someone from scratch yet again.

[Steel2686]

I feel for you, Joe. I was in retail for 8 years before it drove me crazy enough to leave.

I was a manager at our local Sports Authority until I left in 2001. From 1995 to 2001, the quality of people I had working for me took a significant dive. Even my favorite employee let me down. He was a hard worker, showed up on time, and never complained about projects. One day, he just didn't show up for work. After several attempts to reach him, he showed up three days later. When I asked him if everything was alright, he said "Yeah, everything's fine. I just decided to take a couple vacation days and visit my girlfriend in college".

He claimed he didn't realize you can't take days off with no notice in the retail industry. I explained to him there really aren't any industries that would allow it. After a lengthy meeting with the regional manager (I stood up for my guy), they allowed him one more chance. I stuck my neck out for him because he was such an exceptional worker, and I wrote it off as poor judgement on his part.

Two weeks later, he just stopped showing up all together. There was a steady stream of half-wits to follow.

[FroSSty]

...I hear ya but please don't stereotype the "younger generation". I am 22 and have been at my job for 5 1/2 years. I started out washing cars and cleaning the shop. I now can do EVERYTHING in the shop. From Frame repair, body, refinish, accounting, customer service, estimating and everything in between. I too have seen people like you have mentioned but most of them are older guys that just don't have the steam left in em. No hard feelings, I may be an odd ball.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I agree right on with you guys. There are many that lack respect for others and themselves, which I think is due to a lack of discipline. I don't know how many "spoiled brats" I see out there.
I just heard on Good Morning America that the young and "older" generations have the biggest differences ever. I tend to agree with that because some young people (of course of all generations) just don't get it. I can't stand the "who cares about other people, I just want to have fun right now" attitude.

[78formula78]

well i've been at my job for about a year and a half now and its my job to train, and teach all the new ppl, well at least the ones that are doing the same thing as me. and the only ppl i get are 16-18 years old and a lot of them are just HORRIBLE workers yet see im the only full time so im held responisble for anything they did wrong... but i clean up after them and baby sit so i don't get in trouble. but thats retail for ya... and it diffentaly is only some cause im only 17

[Joe 1320]

...I hear ya but please don't stereotype the "younger generation". I am 22 and have been at my job for 5 1/2 years. I started out washing cars and cleaning the shop. I now can do EVERYTHING in the shop. From Frame repair, body, refinish, accounting, customer service, estimating and everything in between. I too have seen people like you have mentioned but most of them are older guys that just don't have the steam left in em. No hard feelings, I may be an odd ball.

ya know what, you are absolutely right. It reminds me of an older guy i hired about 3 months ago. The dress code was explained to him when he was hired....... profession and conservitiave. That means dress shirts and tie, dress pants and shoes. This guy shows up for work in Dockers and a Hawaiian print shirt. I told him nicely that I couldn't have him working in that attire, he got pissed and never returned.

I should not stereotype, I should be more clear that it just seems like the majority of these individuals are the younger generation. You sir, are obviously the kind of person I am looking to hire!

[Joe 1320]

I feel for you, Joe. I was in retail for 8 years before it drove me crazy enough to leave.

After 18 years of it, the crazy stage was eclipsed years ago.................. I just never left.

Might be time for the winds of change to start blowing.

[FroSSty]

You sir, are obviously the kind of person I am looking to hire!

I appreciate that Joe...I knew you didn't mean it that way. I take pride in what I do. Its kinda funny cause the other day I went to a meeting and the speaker told me that I (being I am of the younger generation) go out and buy a brand new car and rack up my credit cards and that I have a careless attitude. I sat back and laughed thinking, wow you got me down to a T.. Considering I have bought all my cars with cash, NEVER had a credit card (besides debit), bought a house with my wife and had a baby. Typical youngster eh? I think not!! Anyways everyone have a great weekend!

[thenuge876]

I know what you mean. I used to teach private drum lessons for a couple of years before I left for college, and punctuality and professionalism go a long way with people. You have to be considerate as a worker, and if you aren't don't get angry when you get canned that's just the way it is.